Coal miner Shane Bruce falls just short on 'American Idol'

Coal miner Shane Bruce sings "Hallelujah," which, because he's 19, he knows from "Shrek."

He has an almost old-world tone and shapes his notes fully. Everyone's dead quiet listening. Afterward he says "I usually hit that better."

I liked him, and his voice. The judges are all like "not the best audition we've ever seen," and tell him he's not ready yet. I don't know. I'd have sent him through.

Afterward he's near tears, his family is sad and quiet and tells him he's still their idol. It's actually a well-produced segment, with some real emotion. He seems like a great person and I hope he comes back next season.