Phillip Phillips, Gabi Carrubba top 'American Idol' premiere in Savannah
Savannah, Ga., contestants line up for their chance to become the next "American Idol." (Aug. 18, 2011) Credit: Fox
"American Idol" gave dozens of singers a ticket out of Savannah to Hollywood, but it was a southern gentleman and a nervous teen who stood out on a fun premiere night -- and a woman living in a tent whose story we'll remember.
Below's how I rated everyone. Put your own thoughts in the comments below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.
1) Phillip Phillips blew away the judges with his soulful "Superstition" and an acoustic guitar (!) version of "Thriller." Jennifer Lopez said "It's like you have electricity going through your body!"
2) Gabi Carrubba was shaking with nerves before she sang a controlled, sophisticated version of Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning" -- she's sweet as heck. I think she'll go far.
3) David Leathers Jr. , 17, may look like he's 12, as Jennifer Lopez put it, but the purity and lightness of his voice on "Remember the Rain" had the judges thinking Michael Jackson.
4) Lauren Mink sang "Country Strong." Like Steven Tyler, I thought she had a lot of "passion behind the notes" and found her instantly likable.
5) Tall Shannon Magrane belted out "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in front of her whole family -- which must've taken what Randy Jackson called "nerves of steel."
6) W.T. Thompson, who has a baby on the way but quit his job to audition, came across as a nice, sincere guy with some real country in him.
7) Amy Brumfield, who lives in a tent, got a "Hi, beautiful girl" from Steven Tyler and impressed with power and emotion in "Superwoman."
8) Stephanie Renae was loved by the judges, but since I missed most of her audition, I don't have real feelings about her yet.
9) NBA dancer Brittany Kerr did a rendition of "Spoiled" that prompted Steven Tyler to say, "You're on pitch and you're good looking." Yeah, he's in mid-season form.
10) Cocky, frenetic Ashlee Altise seemed way too annoying to make it to Hollywood, but it turned out she has a voice -- so we'll see if we get tired of her, or find her a breath of fresh air.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.
