Thursday, January 12, 2012

AMERICAN IDOL SPOTLIGHT: 12 Returning Idols Worth Looking Out For

There are plenty of topics and personnel to focus on going into Season 11 of American Idol but I think I'll start by focusing on some of the singers themselves. Season 10 saw one of the most unbelievably deep talent pools ever with very formidable singers going home as early as Hollywood Week. It's tough to tell if Season 11 can repeat the success of Season 10. Then again, a year ago we were all wondering if they could replace Simon Cowell but we were quickly reminded that the show is still about, and will always be about finding first rate talent. How that talent translates off of the show is still another story but in terms of what we see every week there is no doubt that the bar is now set even higher this year because of last year's talent, not because its cornerstone founding member on the judges panel bolted for new digs.

Having said that, there is still plenty of returning talent to ponder and not all of them are from last season (or just from last season). I've chosen to focus on a handful of those singers but I'll just be lightly touching on them for now.

I'll be doing more in depth pieces as the season progresses as well as seeing if I can successfully solicit interviews and collaborative write-up blogs for them as well. I want to extend an open invitation to all of the following, as well as anyone else appearing on American Idol this year, to do the always proverbial "sit down" with Himay Co.

12) Baylie Brown - Of all the returning Idols, the devoutly religious Krum, Texas native has the longest known layoff since his/her original or at least last appearance on the show. Her Twitter account is protected so you'll have to send a follow request but it seems improbable that she'd wall herself off from her [potential] fans once she starts getting more light on her. She was last seen on American Idol during Season 6 when she made it to Hollywood Week. Her Twitter account also links to her Facebook account.

11) Aubrey Cleland - Cleland was in Hollywood last season but was not focused on all that much but she is expected to be featured much more this season. Follow her on Twitter.

10) Chelsea Sorrell -Sorrell made it to the Las Vegas round of Season 10 last year and like Cleland and others, should be much more prominent during Season 11. Follow her on Twitter and watch her on YouTube. Still have not found one official Facebook page of hers but she also has an official website.

9) Aaron Marcellus Sanders - Aaron was very briefly shown in Season 10 and he was one of the final 16 cuts before the live Top 24 round. Look for him to go deeper into the competition this time around. He got extremely little screen time this year but America will be much more familiar with him this season. Still working on establishing any social media accounts for Aaron. Please tweet me on Twitter if you have any credible firsthand knowledge.

8) Janelle Arthur - A briefly seen Oliver Springs, Tennessee country singer from Season 10, Arthur will probably gain some more screen time this time around. Her online presence, particularly on Twitter, will probably be one of the more popular accounts once the season begins. Expect her followers to grow - both on and offline. Also make sure to check out her official Facebook page as well.

7) DeAndre Brackensick - DeAndre was the cornerstone of the Hollywood group The Minors last year when they impressed the judges with a rousing rendition of a Queen classic. He's clearly an early favorite to go far this season. Expect at least a Top 24 finish. Surprisingly, no confirmed social media of DeAndre has been established so Himay Co. will continue to investigate this. Anyone with credible firsthand knowledge of any social media accounts of DeAndre should tweet me on Twitter.

8) Jen Hirsch - The Season 9 Hollywood Week singer is back two years later and she carries with her an impressive social media apparatus and early buzz has her mounting a fierce campaign to make it to the live round. Check out her Facebook page and contrast the professional grade of it compared to other artists on the reality TV competition show circuit. She's one to watch. Check out her Website.
(Links To Facebook, Twiter, MySpace, & YouTube accounts can be found on Ms. Hirsch's website.)

7) Schyler Dixon - Schyler flew under the radar of her more publicized older brother last year but Scyhler herself made it to the Hollywood Week round of Idol last season. She's expected to compete but even if she falls short, don't write her off. Her brother was told to come back this season last year so even if it's not to meant to be this year, she's still one to watch. She maintains a decent presence on her social media and shares a devout belief in God which would be a strong asset with the same game-changing demographic that catapulted Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery to titles and made Lauren Alaina the runner-up to McCreery last season. She and Colton are reportedly close and it won't just be Schyler riding his coattails; it could also end up being the other way around too. Her presence could be a major factor in Colton's own journey as he will probably be the more advance-ready of the two but she could very well elevate his own voter friendly credentials by appearing on camera as a doting older brother which will play very well with the same key female demographics that will be pivotal in the dashing young man's chances so look for Schyler to be a player one way or another and will have her own turn one either now or later. Having said all this, Schyler will certainly showcase her own impressive talent and therefore establish her own identity.

Website (Coming Soon) (Links to Facebook & Twitter)

6) Scott Dangerfield - Scott was one of the more interesting stories last year because he had mysteriously disappeared from the show without any type of disclaimer, notice, etc. There's actually a very good reason for this and I know you want to know why. Dangerfield is a very interesting case because of why he withdrew from the competition. The fact that he felt that he couldn't proceed because he had made a commitment in the field of education, combined with a strong voice and female friendly looks, might actually ensure that his decision to withdraw last year will help him tremendously this season. Expect a deep run from him this season. I will post social media once I have confirmed intel.

5) Hollie Cavanagh - Hollie was the sweet 17 year-old girl last year given a second chance during her initial audition to recompose herself. The British-born Texan (this will become better established this year) became quasi-controversial because of it on top of the fact that she was also presented as being overly emotional before she settled down and found her voice - pun somewhat intended. She made it to the Top 40 round before finally getting cut but thru her tears she took it in stride and still displayed some newfound toughness because of it and the confidence the judges showed in her in their rightful encouragement to her to return this season certainly must have built her own confidence in the process. Look for the McKinley, Texas sweetheart to make a deep run this year. She could become one of the more heartwarming stories this year. Follow her on the official Hollienatics Facebook page and Twitter. You can also check her out on YouTube.

4) Brielle Von Hugel - Another young up and coming star from last season. Like Cavanagh, Von Hugel had a few notable moments during last season. First off, I'd be remiss if I omitted her father's hard-nosed fight against cancer and she was also part of the group performance of Bruno Mars' "Grenade" that put Pia Toscano on the map. It's unfortunate how people forget how strong Brielle and the now 16 year-old Alessandra Guercio were. (I've been disappointed not to see Alessandra's name come up in any online pre-season buzz.) It was Von Hugel and Guercio however who at least arguably stole the show from the now household Pia Toscano. One the strength of that rendition alone makes her one to watch as she mounts what is certain to be a formidable run towards the Idol crown. Another interesting factor: in the voiceover, Ryan Seacrest noted how the three New Jersey audition based singers "avoided the drama" and "worked in perfect harmony" and the benefits were obvious. And the drama-free M.O. will undoubtedly benefit Von Hugel as she continues to travel much closer to the live rounds this time around. Another interesting side note? Just before Steven Tyler addresses the three young women before singing, they panned a shot to the final returnee I am choosing to focus on: Michael Colton Dixon. That aside, follow Brielle on Twitter.

1) Michael Colton Dixon - If I had to pinpoint one clear cut favorite to win it all this year from last year's crop, there's no doubt that Michael Colton Dixon would be the quintessential triple-threat to take it. He's 20 years old, he's good looking, he plays at least the piano, and will appeal to the all important mother-daughter/cougar-school girl voting coalition. And with his sister Schyler sure to get more screen time, he could be in a position to show off his more family-oriented warmth while also diving deeper into his more religious side which will be a huge advantage in courting the possibly Idol-winning Underwood-McCreery-Alaina bloc needed to take the crown. Follow Colton on Twitter and "Like" him (along with 9,000+ and counting friends) on Facebook. Oh, and there's his official website too. The Dixons are definitely in it to win it!

So there you have it; twelve highlighted returnees. Of course, we still have plenty of talent to go, both returning and new, to truly see who will be challenging who. There is one new singer we will be meeting and I believe this person could become the biggest Idol ever. We'll see of course but he/she at least has the potential. I will be writing about this person very soon.

Regardless, I'd like to remind all the aforementioned artists that I would love to sit down with them, do some work for them, or just let them sound off on whatever is on their mind - music related or otherwise.

And, as always, you can follow me, Jamie Cole, on my official Professional/Artist/Writer account on Twitter. To hire me for PR write-ups and other marketing and creative services (or if you'd like me to ruin your own recorded music with my own choppy musicianship), send me a tweet on Twitter for further contact info.

In the meantime, buckle up! We're just days away from the season premiere of American Idol and I'm just getting started!

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