Best Wishes to American Idol Singer Danny Gokey

APNEWS tells us that American Idol singer Danny Gokey just attended his grandfather’s funeral services over the weekend in Milwaukee at Faith Builder’s International Ministries. Seems Danny has gotten his heart broken twice this year. We wish him the best here at AuditionPortal.

After the death of the singer's young wife Sophia, who died of a congenital heart defect, Danny has made it a quest, in her honor, to make it to the top of American Idol. And, we think that’s a real possibility for Danny.

Fortunately for Danny fans all across the world, he’s is still going to be on tonight's show! Be sure to watch and vote for your favorite singer. The staff at AuditionPortal.com is betting on both Danny or Adam to be in the top two, but they also favor, Allison Iraheta and Lil Rounds.

Who’s your favorite? You can blog about it here or visit our other blog sites too!
If you’re a singer, www.AuditionPortal.com is the place that will get you noticed.

You can post your best performance on the site, coming soon. For now we encourage you to go to AuditionPortal.com to pre-register. It’s free.

American Idol: The Honest Truth About the Last 9

With 9 more contestants to go on American Idol, how can we resist watching this show? So many people are stuck for the same reason we like older movies, we appreciate antiques, or we love the old Motown sound. After so many weeks the contestants have grown on us and now we're hooked...hook, line, and singer!

My favorite contestants are the same ones I picked out from day-one. Many of you probably did the same thing.

If you've been in the business like I have for the last 25 years, you just know who's got singing chops and who needs chopping.

I appreciate raw singing talent, but I also need to enjoy watching that person too. For me, it's a packaged experience that needs to excite my ears and eyes. Hey, I don't mind hearing a good Michael Jackson song and struggling with all the things I know about his plastic surgery, but he's Michael Jackson. New singing talent has to have at least both things going for them at this stage. America is a hard place to make it, and this business can be relentless. It all has to do with the audiences and keeping them interested. Longevity is king and at the risk of sounding shallow, looks are very important. Yes, there are exceptions–but in order for that talent to reach full marketing potential, it sure doesn't hurt if they have both singing skills and looks.

Here is my honest breakdown, as if I was judging talent this talent on www.auditionportal.com:

Anoop Desai: Anoop Dog. I don't know why Matt was in the bottom three and Anoop survived last weeks voting. My only guess is that he's popular and that people like voting for the underdog. But, I must remind the public this is about talent. Anoop can sing, no doubt but is he Idol worthy? Not in my top three.

Megan Joy: Pretty Girl. Moments of uniqueness and relevance, but too many moments of imperfection to get my vote. Will miss her.

Scott McIntyre: Okay don't kill me, but Scott is workin' on my last good nerve. He's not a good singer and his performance of the "You Can't Hurry Love" couldn't be over fast enough for me.

This should really not be about pity. When Stevie Wonder sings I don't feel bad about him being blind, I am moved by his voice to tears. If you can do that to me, you've got my vote.

Kris Allen: Good-looking boy, nothing special on the vocal or guitar end. Seen many like him in the Brooklyn folk scene, but so many other deserve to be there instead of him. He's got the girls, and that could keep him up there until the last 4. But let's make room for the real Idols.

Adam Lambert: Phenomenal Singing Voice, hard to imagine on the radio. Has to have great writers or he could be doomed. High voices are tough to place on radio these days. I appreciate his raw singing talent, and his looks are cool. But, I liked the Chris Isaac/Elvis look better than the emo-rock look.

Allison Iraheta: I got one word for this girl. Powerhouse. She will get signed no matter what, and I'll buy her records. At 16, she has the singing voice of a seasoned 27 year-old. She makes Anne Wilson's toes curl, and has knowledge about music that can only come from one divine place...look up! Can you imagine what she'll sound like in 3 years? It's sick. In my Top 3.

Matt Giraud: Matt is amazing. I love him as a singer and he seems like an ultra cool guy. I think he might overdo the trills here and there, but he's got to be a top runner in this, and he WILL get a deal because he's got chops. Playing an instrument helps because it adds that "I can write my own shit" vibe to the whole thing. Diggin' him.

In my top three.

Lil rounds: Now here's a great singer, destined to make records, but is she unique enough? Better song choices will help. She's reminds me of Oleta Adams, but minus the killer low range. If she can nail a couple ballads in the next few bouts, she'll be one to be reckoned with. Love me some LIL.

Danny Gokey: In my top three and the potential winner! Danny has that smokey sound that fiends who put away 15 packs of cigarettes a day can't achieve. He commands the microphone, and is completely relevant. Now the weight thing, the hair...I can do without. His stylist needs to re-think his appearance for the next few shows. This is critical. And, the fact that he shot himself in the foot about his clumsy dancing didn't help. If you say "yeah, I can't dance," people will not only believe it but they'll look to see how badly you move the next time you're on that stage.

It's getting good out there kids. While American Idol is formulaic and predictable at times, you can't help but be sucked in.

And, It's a fun night too– you relax, you order a pizza, and watch someone's dream come true–Not bad for free television.

Who do you like & why? Blog all you want about it! And, be honest, your Facebook friends won't mind!

We're only a day away from the the next round.

Written by Paul Brighton
www.auditionportal.com

Michael Sarver leaves American Idol

Michael Sarver sang “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” on his way out of the Top 10. He talks about singing for his life, the pressure to go country and that now-famous signature grin during a post-elimination interview.

During the preliminaries, Simon Cowell pleaded with America to vote for Michael Sarver, this season’s “nice guy,” an oil rig worker from Texas who sang “Thank You” by Boyz II Men during his first audition. But the judges declined to bring him back.

Sarver is still smiling.

How are you feeling after last night’s events?
Feeling great. I am a very happy man.

How do you feel about the judges’ decision not to save you?

I’m OK with it. They have to make a decision based on what they believe the future of the show holds. If they thought that I wasn’t quite winning material, then that’s the decision they had to make, and I respect it. Do I believe that I still have what it takes to win? Absolutely. I believe I’m a winner.

The judges didn’t make their decision immediately when you were done “singing for your life.” Were you surprised by theier vote?

It was actually very cool that they had to think about it. They hadn’t thought so hard with other contestants. I was very, very complimented by the fact that they did think about it, and that whatever I did last night made them think about it. That tells me I do have what it takes to impact the world musically. That was very encouraging.

You sat through a few Judges’ Save decisions in “American Idol”?

I think the Saves are a good idea. The idea that they can pull someone out of the fire, who they really believe in their hearts doesn’t belong there, for whatever reason, someone they believe really deserves a second shot? Absolutely.

So you didn’t mind “singing for your life”?

No, because I didn’t sing for my life hoping to God that maybe they would save me. I sang for my life because if that was going to be my last chance to sing on the show, it was going to be the best I could give it. The fans deserve as much as I can bring.

Do you feel like you made any mistakes during the show?

I would wish that somehow I would have gotten a little better health-wise so I could have done more justice to my song. I was disappointed that I couldn’t give it more than I did. But I did give it all I had.

Wednesday, the night of your performance, Simon said you couldn’t win and you said that you were OK with that. Why did you say that?

Because each week that I was on the show, it was a blessing to get that week. This show is no joke. There is a lot of talent. I didn’t take any moment I had for granted. I was OK with it because if I wasn’t going to win someone really great who I’ve learned to really truly care about is. I’m fulfilled in a way that I can’t even really describe in words. The idea that I might not win the show wasn’t really the most painful thought because too many good things have come from this already.

Did you feel any pressure to go country like the judges seemed to want? You sang “Thank You” by Boyz II Men in your audition and you told us your roots were “R&B and soul” earlier.

Yes. I did feel a little bit of pressure from the media and fans who for some reason put me into that country category. It’s not a bad thing, country is great music. But I will say that my true roots in my heart is R&B and soul, and I plan to explore that.

Do you really smile as much as you do on the show?

I do, I really do. I’m a very fulfilled man. I’ve been screwed up just the same as anyone else, there are things I’m not proud of. But my life is so good right now. I’m blessed beyond words. I have nothing to frown about. My smile is genuine from one end to the other, I’m just a happy man and I just fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine.

Any words for your fans?

For those of my fans that stuck by me through the process and were so loving in the way that they voted for me and sent messages, I will never forget you. I love you and I hope to see you on the road.

What do you want your career to look like after “American Idol”?

I hope within the next year, people see an album come out. I want to record right away. I want to stay fresh. This is an incredible platform and I want to take full advantage of it. I believe I do have fans out there. I made it to top 10 because of them, so I want to give them what they voted for.

And it’d be an R&B-soul album?

It’s really hard to describe -- it’s like R&B, pop, rock and soul. It has everything to do with so many different types of influences in my life. When you come right down to it, it's soul.

"He's a great talent," commented Paul Brighton of Audition Portal.

Audition Advice for Actors

Be prepared for your audition.  This means having asked what , if anything you need to prepare when the audition is first scheduled.  

Regardless of what's been asked of you at your audition, an actor should always have a number of monologues ready to go - dramatic, comedic and classical, and be prepared to perform them at any time.  

If you have been given sides in advance of your audition, make sure you have done more than read them over, but are extremely familiar with them.  This means you can hold onto the sides for reference, but that you should be able to look up from the paper for most of the scene.

Always have several copies of your headshot and resume stapled together for your audition.  Chances are they'll only want one, but sometimes they'll ask for a second, especially if you're being seen by a panel.  Additionally, if your audition is at a rehearsal studio, you may have the opportunity to submit yourself for other projects that are auditioning there.

Auditions aren't just about seeing if you're talented or a good fit for a role.  Auditions are how a casting director and production team determines your professionalism and sees if yuo're the sort of person they want to work with.  An audition is a job interview, and the  following tips should help it go more smoothly for you.

Always arrive on time.  What this really means is always arrive just a little bit early.  Allow for delays.  If you do arrive very early, don't clutter up the office, audition room or rehearsal studio for more than ten minutes before your audition time.  Find somewhere else to wait.

Have a pen with you.  You may be asked to fill out an information sheet.

Know your schedule.  Be prepared to inform the cating people of any conflicts you may have with the production schedule.

Look your best in a way that fits of the role you are auditioning for, but not costumed. 

Be prepared to have your picture taken or the audition video taped.

If the audition is being video taped (this is especially true of film/tv auditions) be prepared to slate.  Usually this means stating your name and contact information.  Sometimes you'll also be asked to state your age or your height.  If you're unsure of what to do when asked to slate, just check what information they want.  Deliver your slate succintly; it's not a monologue or a conversation. 

Listen.  Never, ever interrupt the director of the audition.

Be engaged.  Have comments about the material if asked.  Or questions.

Be prepared to talk about yourself.  Producing entertainment is intense work, and it's important to be able to provide a sense of yourself beyond your acting ambiion.  What matters to you as a person besides the results of the next five minutes.

Understand and be ready to speak to your goals as an actor.  What type of work do you love most?  What are your career goals?  What previous work of yours have you ben the most proud of?

Be prepared to take direction at your audition.  You may be asked to do your monologue or scene in several ways.

Be fearless.  An audition is not a moment to ask permission.

Be polite.  This includes not finding excuses to linger in the room after your audition is done.  It's an old trick, and highly annoying.  Always say thank you when you leave.

Wear clothes you can easily move in.  Avoid all black unless you are sure the audition space is not a black box theater.

Do not apologize for yourself or make excuses.  If you mess up a line in your audition monologue, keep going.  If you have a cold, ignore it. Performers perform under difficult circumstances all the time.  Part of the job description is being able to do so.

Try to think like a director.  If not told specifically where to present your audition from, be sure not to get too close to the table.  Provide a picture of yourself on stage or in the frame.

Careful about audition follow up phone calls. A phone call could backfire against you in an audition situation, simply because the producers and directors would have to stop everything to take your phone call and follow up with you. It's not that they don't want to. The sheer numbers of people auditioning would make this very impractical for them, and make you look desperate. Then you have two potential strikes against you. 

The odds are overwhelming at each acting audition, but there's no getting away from it. The acting audition will often be a large part of an actor's life while he or she is trying to get established. Make each acting audition a learning experience or something to remember, and don't worry about following up. If who you really are and your passion and sparkle shine through, you may even get more producers that follow up with you on their own.

Most importantly, be sure to have fun.  Joy is exciting and exciting gets hired.  An audition is an opportunity to do what you love - perform.  It's nervewracking, but it's part of your job, and it's a challenge you should learn to enjoy.

Audition for American Idol

So you want to be an American Idol? The road to fame and fortune is a tough one.

Keep in mind that if you manage to get in from of Randy, Simon and Paula, chances are the self-esteem you've spent a lifetime amassing will be handily destroyed in a matter of seconds. And even if you make it past that obstacle to somehow sneak into the actual competition, your chances of actually becoming America's next Idol are virtually nonexistent.

So you've made the decision to try out for American Idol. Good luck. Your choice is a tough one.

But before you consider an American Idol audition you should realize a few things. One, you're in for hours upon hours of waiting, all for roughly 15 seconds of actual singing in front of people who are not Randy, Simon and Paula. Two, your chances of actually making it in front of Randy, Simon and Paula are slim to none, and way closer to none.

The Preliminary Auditions is where it all begins. Usually American Idol holds auditions in seven different cities, strategically spread out across the country. No matter where you live, chances are you'll be relatively close to an audition location.

Now the first audition is basically a cattle call. You will be one of thousands of people who arrive at some large venue with one goal: Make it big. Most of these people are extremely determined. Many of them have been singing or performing for most of their lives. Few people make the trip to an American Idol audition on a whim.

At this preliminary audition, you will most likely be waiting outside of a large venue like a stadium. There will be metal barricades set up, and long lines of hopefuls in between them. It could be raining out. Be prepared for foul weather.

You can't camp overnight inside or outside of any of the venues. Most of the auditions begin at 8 a.m., but in most cities you can't line up before 6 a.m. And even if you are in line by 8 a.m., there's still no guarantee you'll actually get to audition.

If you live far from the venue, your best bet is to stay at a nearby hotel the night before and plan to arrive to the audition sometime after 6 but before 8 in the morning. And if you live close by, plan to leave plenty of time for traffic to the venue. Lots of traffic. Last year about 12,000 contestants came to the auditions at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Ma, just south of Boston!

During this first audition, keep in mind that you will be singing in front of the show's producers, not the show's Big Three. This doesn't mean it's any less important, but if you were looking forward to catching a glimpse of Randy, Simon and Paula at the first audition, it's not going to happen.

You will only have about 15-30 seconds during your audition to impress the producers. They take in about three people at a time so it's basically a drive-thru version of an audition, very quick. You don't have a lot of time to make a first impression.

Keep in mind that looks obviously do matter, so you should look your best. Emphasis on YOUR best. Don't try to fit in with some style you think American Idol will like. Instead, be the best youcan be. Look attractive, but your version of it. A good look could sway a judge who's on the fence about you. An over-the-top appearance could make them cringe and shoo you away when they otherwise might have said yes.

Of course, you could always make it through to the next round as one of the gimmick contestants, but I wouldn't take the chance.

FYI, according to the American Idol website you're not allowed to wear any clothing that reveals tattoos, has designer names, sports teams, or any other logos or brand names, or bears the name or likeness of a celebrity.

Song choice: The song you sing is almost as important as how you sing it. Pick the wrong song for your vocal range and it will spell disaster.

Also keep in mind the producers will be hearing some popular songs hundreds, if not thousands, of times. So try to pick a song that is unique and well-suited for you. It's unlikely you'll be able to find a song that no one else will sing, but if you come up with "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys as your best bet, go back to the drawing board. That song is performed about 8,472 times at the typical "American Idol" audition.

Have a main song and two or three backup songs ready in case the producers ask you to sing something else.

Also keep dance moves to a minimum. Better yet, eliminate them altogether. Choregraphy is not going to get you to round two. In fact it's probably a sure way not to get there. Feel the song, yes. Move your body as you see fit. Don't stand there like a paralyzed robot. The judges want to hear your vocals first and foremost. Everything else should support and add to that.

Now if you do make it through this long wait, get the audition and make in onto the next round, congratulations. Here's what to expect next.

Round two of the American Idol auditions will be held in a slightly more intimate location, in or near the city you originally auditioned in. Again, you will still be auditioning in front of the producers, so there will be no Big Three sightings that day. Slightly different rules apply to this round as far as when to arrive and how to check in, which will be given to you if and when you pass the first round.

You will get slightly more time with the producers in this round because there will be far less people to audition, but not that much more time. You still have to bring your 'A' game and look sharp. Beyond that I really don't have much advice. Once you get into that room, you're just going to have to conjure up that same magic that got you through the first time. Remember the tips about song choice and dance moves, or a lack thereof.

Now on the rare chance you actually do make it past this round, you're almost in for the big time.

Round three isn't really the big-time, yet. But you will be auditioning in front of Randy, Simon and Paula, so if nothing else you'll have that feather in your cap. This round includes about 100 to 200 contestants from each city. The auditions take place in or near the original audition city.

In Boston last year they were held at a upscale venue and there was definitely a buzz in the air. TV cameras were everywhere and Ryan Seacrest was busy interviewing contestants. Some people came out of the audition rooms looking dejected and forlorn. Others came out screaming maniacally, obviously going on to Hollywood.

This is the round where you need to step up your game. Whatever you were wearing before, get a better outfit. Get a hairstylist, or someone really good at doing hair. Get someone who knows about makeup and put them to work. At this level everyone is pretty talented. You're going to have to be the total American Idol package - voice, looks and personality.

Now obviously the judges are looking first and foremost for talent. But they're also looking for someone to appeal to a mainstream audience. And that doesn't mean you have to be boring or typical, or perfect. Just look at Clay Aiken. A lot of times the Big Three are looking for something slightly spunky and atypical that might spark interest in the crowd.

Now if you ace it at this audition and they like what you've brought, you're onto the Hollywood Round, sort of like a boot camp where over 100 contestants are whittled down to the Top 24, or whatever number American Idol decides on to compete in the performance section of the show.

Keep in mind that to make it to Hollywood you only need two out of three votes from the judges. So if Simon says no, which he probably will, it's no big deal, as long as Randy and Paula like you.

And even if you don't move on, hey, at least you made it that far, and you might make it onto the infamous "American Idol" audition footage.

The Hollywood Round is the final step before actually making it onto the performance episodes of American Idol. All of the contestants that got the green light from the Big Three in each of the seven audition cities will be here. The competition will be stiff. You'll stay, not surprisingly, in Hollywood, and you won't have much communication with your friends or family. You will be extremely busy, as you will be rehearsing, competing, sight-seeing, making friends, and possibly getting eliminated in this round.

At this point I don't really have much advice for you besides keep doing what you've been doing. If you've made it this far they obviously like what you have to offer, and it's just a matter of consistently doing your best.

As a final note, when I attended the American Idol press conference in Boston last year after the third round of auditions, the judges couldn't use the word "talent" enough. Yes, the audition footage shows emphasize the quirky, the strange and the downright bizarre, but those are the contestants who are used for their comedic appeal and then cast aside.

As a word of caution, don't necessarily trust the opinions of your friends and family. After all, they're your friends and family. You be the judge of your own talent. Then decide if you're good enough to let someone else be, as well.

What the judges are looking for on American Idol is someone who brings something unique and captivating to the table. Obviously they're looking for someone who can appeal to a large audience. So before even embarking on your audition you'd be wise to objectively assess your own talent.

Don't be one of those contestants who sounds like a awful but postulates about conspiracy theories when they get rejected by the judges. Ask yourself honestly if you really are good enough to be on a national singing/performing competition. Record yourself, if you haven't already, and then listen back and see what you think. Compare it to what you've heard on American Idol, the radio, and MTV.

In the end it’s all up to you, to fingers crossed!