American Idol First Elimination: 24 to 20

I'm posting this on Thursday morning, the day after the first two groups of 12 contenders have had their turns - girls on Tuesday, boys on Wednesday. The results will be announced this evening when 2 boys and 2 girls will be eliminated from the competition. Here are my picks in order, with the worst first. I predict that the first 2 in each list will go. Let's see if I'm right.

Top 12 Girls

12. Haeley Vaughn
I Wanna Hold Your Hand by the Beatles
Horrible beyond description; hideous voice, no tune or rhythm

11. Lacey Brown
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Bad phrasing, breathing forced, dull

10. Ashley Rodriguez
Happy by Leona Lewis
Completely forgettable, you''d never pay to see this performance

9. Paige Miles
All Right now by Free
Well done, but not outstanding; hurt by getting the first slot

8. Michelle Delamor
Falling by Alicia Keys
Polished, but not melodic or memorable. I don't think this will be the year of the diva.

7. Janell Wheeler
What About Love by Heart
Pretty but small voice, unusual delivery

6. Didi Benami
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
Trendy style, sweet sound, seemed into the song

5. Katie Stevens
Feeling Good by Michael Buble
Sultry performance from such a young girl; silvery voice

4. Lilly Scott
Fixing a Hole by the Beatles
Unique, jazzy version of a Beatles song; want to see more of her

3. Sibohan Magnus
Wicked Games by Chris Isaak
Unusual voice with very deep tones; very good performance

2. Katelyn Epperley
Oh Darling by the Beatles
It was a toss up between Katelyn and Crystal Bowersox for first, but I went for the rocker; sophisticated and confident torchiness

1. Crystal Bowersox
Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morisette
Authoritative voice, good phrasing, honest performance

Top 12 Boys

12. Tim Urban
Apologize by One Republic
The only thing that will keep him on is if people feel sorry for him; horrible voice and falsettos.

11. Tyler Grady
American Woman by the Guess Who
Embarrassing. He tried to rock, but only faked it.

10. Aaron Kelly
Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts
Poor movements, weak voice, smarmy ballad

9. John Park
God Bless the Child
A bit of a train wreck, garbled lyrics, insincere delivery

8. Todrick Hall
Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Choppy delivery, gimmicky arrangement, not good, but at least he tried something.

7. Michael Lynche
This Love by Maroon 5
Poor voice quality, ok performance but a little dull

6. Jermaine Sellers
Get Here by Oleta Adams
Bad faces, great voice, I disagree with Simon that he blew it, but I don't think he'll last.

5. Alex Lambert
Wonderful World by James Morrison
He deserves a chance for his potential; poor, nervy performance, but wonderful voice.

4. Joe Munoz
You and I Both by Jason Mraz
Relaxed, confident, distinctive voice; well done

3. Casey James
Heaven by Bryan Adams
Excellent, almost perfect, but a little too country for my taste

2. Andrew Garcia
Sugar We're Going Down by Fallout Boy
Great voice, sounds a little like Dave Matthews, not perfect but very good

1. Lee Dewyze
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
I loved this; great guitar and voice; beautiful song, unpretentious performance

Patsy Cline: Sweet Dreams Still

Meet me at the big screen in the Large Meeting Room tomorrow (Saturday February 13) at 2:00 PM for a Valentine. We will be featuring the heartbreak girl of country music, Patsy Cline, in a film anthology of performances from throughout her short career. And, in honor of the sweetness of the day, we will have refreshments. The name of the film is Sweet Dreams Still.

As one of the greatest female country music singers of all time, Patsy Cline has become a legend, perhaps owing in part to her early death. Patsy was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Winchester Virginia on September 8, 1932. As a young child, Patsy was interested in dancing like her idol, Shirley Temple and in singing like Judy Garland. Later she learned to play piano by ear and began singing. She sang with perfect pitch.

She began her recording career in the mid 1950s. Her first recording contract with Four Star records limited her repertoire to songs by Four Star composers which boxed her in to a rockabilly style that did not suit her powerful voice. She had few hits and little success until after 1960 with her recording of “I Fall to Pieces”.

Patsy’s career remained hot despite her injuries in a severe auto accident in 1961, which was the second of two she experienced during her life. After her recovery from the severe injuries she sustained, she followed up with hit recordings of “Crazy” , written by a young Willie Nelson, and “She’s Got You” , both released in 1961.

Still in her prime and near to the top of country music fame, Patsy’s life was cut down when she died in a small-plane crash at the age of 30. In 2002 she was named by the country music industry as one of the 40 greatest women in country music and in 1999, she was voted number 11 on the VH1 list of the 100 greatest women in rock and roll.

lick on this link for a YouTube video of Patsy Cline singing "Crazy".