Woolf wows (two) Idol judges with "Fun"

   The top 10 took on the top 10.

   On Wednesday’s performance episode, Bradenton’s Sam Woolf and the other nine “American Idol” finalists were required to sing a song that had been on the Billboard top 10 at some point between 2011 and now.
   The contestants chose songs by everyone from Pink to FloridaGeorgia Line and from Lady Gaga to Hunter Hayes.
   After a couple of decent performances that opened the show and drew positive but unenthusiastic responses from judges, Alex Preston kicked up the energy with a performance of One Direction’s “Story of My Life” that all three judges – Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. – agreed was the best of the night.
    Sixteen-year old Malaya Watson followed with a gorgeous rendition of “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars.
   Woolf, the 17-year-old Braden River High School student who has impressed judges with his vocals and won the hearts of teenage girls with his looks, was the last to perform. Last week, he had finished in the bottom three for the first time, after performing the Beatles’ “Come Together.”
    This week, he chose a song that he said was a better representation of who he is an artist.
    The song was “We Are Young,” the 2012 hit by Fun. Woolf told host Ryan Seacrest it was a song hat he felt comfortable with.
    He went back to performing with a guitar, standing at a mic stand. Last week he sang with a handheld microphone, walking across the stage as he sang..
    This week's performance was  livelier  than some of his past ones. Lopez swayed and sang along and Urban smiled through the entire performance.

   “I loved it,” Lopez said. ”I liked it so much more than what you did last week.”

   Urban indicated, as he has before, that he was sure Woolf would be back next. He said he had a lot to say to Woolf, but that he knew he’s had other chances to talk to him.

   Only Connick was less than enthusiastic about Woolf’s performance. He said he hoped Woolf would “own” the songs that he performed, the way he owned his early performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House.”

   "You can do this,” Connick told him
    Woolf indicated to Seacrest that he thought this week’s performance was one of his best.

   Woolf and his fans will find out whether he’ll make it to the top nine tomorrow night, in a one-hour results show that’s scheduled for 9 p.m. on Fox.

Bradenton's Sam Woolf takes on "Come Together"

   The judges have been saying they want to see another side of Sam Woolf. They saw it Wednesday but thy were only moderately impressed.   
   The 17-year-old Braden River High School student was the first of the remaining 11 contestants t perform live or the judges and the public on Wednesday’s episode of “American Idol.” 
   The theme was “Songs from the Cinema.” Contestants were asked to perform as song that was either written for a movie, or prominently featured in movie. Woolf chose “Come Together,” the Beatles classic hat was used in the 2007 film “Across the Universe.” 
   It showed a different side of Woolf, who up until now has performed slower, introspective songs. 
   For “Come Together,” he walked and swayed across the stage and added some more inflection into his signing than he has in some previous performances.
The judges liked it but said they still wanted him to stretch his talents. 
   “It was great to hear that side of you, because we haven’t heard that side of you, quite that way,” judge Keith Urban said. “I love the way, I said to Jen, the way you’re loosening up a little bit. You can just keep going on that trajectory.” 
   The “Jen” he referred to was fellow judge Jennifer Lopez, who echoed Urban’s critique.
“It was like little baby rock star,” she said “We need big rock star.” 
   She called Woolf’s performance “A nice start to the show.” 
   Harry Connick Jr., who’s been stingier with praise for all the contestants than Lopez and Urban have, called Woolf’s performance “average,” but said it showed that he was a big step forward. 
   “I really think you’re on the way to where you need to be,” he said.

   Before Woolf’s performance, the other finalists got a chance to poke fun of him in a “screen test.” They made good-natured jokes about his youth, his rabid following of young women, and about his hometown.
   “I’m Sam Woolf,” said one of them. “I’m 14 years old and I live in a retirement community,” said one of the contestants.
   One more contestant will be eliminated through a public vote Sm and his fans will find out tomorrow night, in a results show that starts at 9 p.m. on Fax, whether he’ll proceed to the next round. 
   This week’s vote is an especially significant one. The 10 finalists who remain after tomorrow will be part of national the “American Idol” tour over the summer.

Bradenton's Sam Woolf advances again on "Idol"

   Keith Urban was right.

   On Wednesday night's episode of “American Idol,” Urban predicted that Bradenton singer/songwriter Sam Woolf would be back next week. In fact he said would “guarantee” it
It didn’t take long on Thursday night’s show for Woolf and his fans to find out he was safe from elimination. He was the first to get the news from host Ryan Seacrest that the voting public had decided he would move on for at least one more round.

   Just a few minutes into Thursday’s show, Seacrest summoned Woolf and three other contestants to the stage. He quickly gave the news that Emily Piriz of Orlando – the only other remaining Florida contestant – was in the bottom three this week, and that Woolf was safe.

That means that Woolf, a 17-year-old senior at Braden River High School, is one of only 11 finalists remaining from the 75,000 singers who auditioned for this season’s “Idol.”

   On Wednesday, Woolf performed live, offering a county-tinged version of “Just One” by Oregon alt-folk band Blind Pilot.

   As they have through much of the season, the three judges – Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. – praised Woolf’s singing but said they were hoping to see more emotionally dynamic performances. So far, he has performed almost exclusively slower, introspective songs, including one original.

   After performances by former American Idol champ Phillip Phillips and Irish band Kodaline, Seacrest announced that Piriz had received the fewest votes this week. She got one last  chance to sing for the judges, who could have used their one chance to overrule the public ote.

   They didn't do that, so Piriz went home. She was the second Floridan to be eliminated in two weeks. Last week, Kristen O’Connor of Sebastian went home. Woolf is the last surviving Floridian.

Syesha Mercado makes movie debut in 'Dreams'

Mercado/publicity photo

"American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado has gone from TV to stage to the silver screen.

The former Bradenton resident and Booker High School graduate recently finished filming her movie debut.

Mercado, who played lead Deena Jones in the "Dreamgirls" national tour that hit the Straz Center in November, will be seen in the feature film "Dreams."

"We're really excited for her," said Mercado's sister, Xtavia Bailey, unti director at the Boys & Girls Club of Bradenton. "They're finishing editing it now."

Mercado stars alongside Angie Stone ("Brown Sugar," "Dr. Dolittle 2"), Geoffrey Owens (Elvin on "The Cosby Show"), and Jazsmin Lewis ("Barbershop").

Check back for more details coming soon.

DREAMS - 2011 Extended Trailer from DreamsOnScreen Productions on Vimeo.

Bradenton's Erin Kelly voted off 'American Idol'

Manatee County resident Erin Kelly will not advance to the next round of "American Idol."

"Well, that's it then," Kelly replied in front of millions of viewers.

The Winghouse of Bradenton server reached the Top 40 on the Fox reality television competition series.

“I just hope’s she not disappointed because reaching the Top 40 is still such a great accomplishment considering the thousands and thousands who auditioned,” said Winghouse Assistant Manager Shane Doyle. “It’s unfortunate she didn’t make the Top 24 but she should hold her head high.”

Kelly’s scheduled to be back working at Winghouse of Bradenton on Monday.

`American Idol' judges pick 24 semifinalists

'American Idol,' Erin Kelly and Winghouse of Bradenton: coworkers dish on singing server

Erin Kelly/www.AmericanIdol.com

Manatee County's "American Idol" Top 40 finalist Erin Kelly has been practicing her singing while working at Winghouse of Bradenton. 

“When I first met her she didn’t have the confidence,” recalled coworker Alicia Logan. “So some girls and I got her to sing for us in the back at work.”

Continue reading.

Bradenton's Erin Kelly advances on 'American Idol'

Erin Kelly courtesy www.americanidol.com

UPDATED 2/17: Click for version that ran in print and on Herald homepage. 


Cee-Lo's hit "Forget You" proved fortuitous.

Erin Kelly, age 20, performed the song in the group round Wednesday on "American Idol."

It advanced the Winghouse of Bradenton server to the next level of competition.

Watch Fox at 8 p.m. Thursday to see if Kelly's success continues on this year's "Road to Hollywood."

Last July, she made her first "American Idol" advancement in New Orleans, the third site of auditions for the first round in the 10th season of the popular reality show.

Herbie and Josie Torres of Bradenton were present to support their adopted daughter.

“She made it,” Herbie said at the time.

“We were sitting there, and we saw where she was. They had her sing, then they made her wait, then they had her sing again, and she made it,” Josie said.

During the drive from Bradenton to the Crescent City, their car broke down. Herbie fixed it, but they had no air conditioning, he said.

Kelly remained determined to succeed.

“This is my dream, and I’m going to chase it,” she said in July.

Star of 'Dreamgirls' Syesha Mercado on making her Tampa acting debut and an appearance in Bradenton

She grew up in Bradenton.

Graduated from Booker High School in Sarasota.

And shot to fame by finishing third on the seventh season of "American Idol."

This week, Syesha Mercado will make her homecoming acting debut as lead Deena Jones in "Dreamgirls," which begins a 6-day run Tuesday (Nov. 16) at the Straz Center for Performing Arts in Tampa.

She will also make an appearance at the Boys & Girls Club, 1415 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Monday.

Mercado recently talked to me about the show's highly successful run that started a year ago in New York, the thrill of performing in front of family and friends as well as her upcoming album and debut single "Hostage."

CLICK TO READ "SYESHA MERCADO'S HOMECOMING INCLUDES A STOP IN BRADENTON."

'Cortez Idol' karaoke winner gets $1,000

Get those pipes ready and make sure you pick a song that you can really belt.

Pelican Pete's will host its third annual karaoke contest starting Nov. 6.

“Cortez Idol:” will run through Dec. 11, date of finale.

Two contestants will be picked each week to go forward to the Finale. Autoway Ford and Pelican Pete’s are offering $1,000 for first prize.

Herald features editor Jana Morreale, who sings some mean karoake herself, will be one of the judges on Nov. 6. FYI: She's partial to hair metal and Madonna.

Pelican Pete’s, 12012 Cortez Road, Bradenton. (941) 792-4822.

'Dreamgirls' star Syesha Mercado to perform in Sarasota at Van Wezel during Annual Principal's Recognition Luncheon

Syesha Mercado will make a homecoming appearance at the 10th Annual Principal's Recognition Luncheon.

The event will be held Nov. 17 in the grand foyer of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

Mercado, who finished third during season seven of "American Idol," will perform two songs and "share a message on the importance of arts education in Sarasota County school," reads the publicity release.

Click for details.

The "Dreamgirls" star grew up in Bradenton and graduated from Booker High School in Sarasota. The Broadway musical featuring Mercado as Deena Jones plays at the Straz in Tampa Nov. 16-21.