« This (or That) EnglandSpring! »

Stuffing the Ballot Box

Apr 5th 2007Nicole Jordan
Nicole JordanGoddess Readers Speak Out

judges.jpgAnd no, I’m not talking about American politics! I’m talking about the reality TV singing contest, American Idol.

I confess that I’ve been an AI groupie since the very first season, but last season I fell in love with Elliot Yamin. I even bought his recently-released CD the day it came out.

Because of Elliot, last year was the first time I ever actually voted. And when it got down to the final few episodes, I learned how to put his voting phone number on speed dial and stuff the ballot box in his favor. I even elliotyamin.jpgwent on-line to read the AI bulletin boards to see what the country was saying about Elliot’s chances to win – which is where I learned that voters have to vote a lot of times to keep their faves in the running, because everyone else is stuffing the ballot box, too, voting hundreds of times in one night. The thing is, on American Idol the best singer doesn’t necessarily win. It’s the contestant who can get his/her fans to make the most phone calls.

I was willing to go to all that trouble for Elliot. To me, his voice is nice mixture of R&B and Pop – smooth, mellow, vibrant, sexy. I didn’t think I would ever like an AI contestant more. But I was wrong. This year I’m even more in love with Melinda Doolittle.

meldool.jpgShe blows me away every week. I’ve actually loved her voice from the very first, but she really wowed me when she took a pretty boring song, “Home” from THE WIZ, and made it magical. Gwen Stefani of No Doubt fame said that Melinda was so good, she didn’t need Gwen to wish her luck. Diana Ross said Melinda gave her goose bumps. Simon Cowell (the evil troll judge on AI) likened her to a young Gladys Knight. And I agree with them all.

IMO, she just keeps getting better each week, with more stage presence and confidence, too. It’s like watching a star being born before my very eyes. I have no musical talent whatsoever (except being able to carry a tune), so I don’t have a clue what it takes to be a good singer. I just know I love listening to her voice. Melinda could sing a grocery list and I would love it. (I feel that way about some authors, too – their writing voice, not their singing voice *G*).

Are you an AI/ Melinda Doolittle fan like I am? If so, I urge you to vote, vote, vote! And if you’re not an AI fan, do you have a fave singer whose voice you just melt over? A voice you really “connect” with? A voice that just punches all your buttons? A singer you’d buy a grocery list from?

41 Comments »

41 Responses to “Stuffing the Ballot Box”

  1. Stacy ~ on 05 Apr 2007 at 6:38 am #

    I’m not an AI fan, but a friend of mine went to school with Melinda, so I’ve been cheering her on, truly admiring (and envying!) her talent. She’s amazing, and I’m voting for her.

  2. ashefrog on 05 Apr 2007 at 7:50 am #

    I don’t watch regularly but my best girlfriend is an addict so she keeps me up to date. I usually start watching toward the end when they are down to 5 or 6.

    But I do love Melinda. I have caught her performances enough to agree with you. She seems to be coming out of her shell not her voice or stage presence that has always been strong but her shyness after singing. AI is so big on the whole picture I was afraid that would hurt her but she seems to be blossoming.

    Hard to believe no one has discovered her before now.

  3. krissyinva on 05 Apr 2007 at 8:13 am #

    I too am a loyal AI fan. I don’t vote every season though. I think Melinda has a wonderful voice however I personally wouldn’t buy her CD’s when they come out, just not my type of music. In past years I have voted for Bo Bice, Chris Daughtry, and a few others. On nights when they perform ballads, most of the time I read to keep myself awake. This year I have been voting from Chris Richardson, he keeps things fresh and well he’s also from my City. Blake Lewis is also another favorite of mine but I only vote for Chris. I am also “stuffing the ballots” every Tuesday night, my hubby just smirks and rolls his eyes. I don’t think Chris or even Blake are the best singers in the competition but they are the two I like the best.

  4. terrio on 05 Apr 2007 at 8:19 am #

    Krissy - you are from Chesapeake?! Me too!!!

    I am one of those that usually tunes in when they get down to 5 or 6 but this year I somehow got involved earlier. I do love Melinda but the “I’m so surprised you like me” bit is getting old. I notice no one has mentioned Sanjaya. I think this whole thing with him is ruining the show but the sad thing is he really has nothing to do with it.

    I think Jordan should win just because she has the full package. She’s a terrific singer, has a great personality, is cute as a button and has the youth that everyone wants. I do wonder how many of them will end up with record deals. Daughtry proved you don’t have to win (or even make the finals) to have a successful career.

    BTW - I have his CD and I love it. Oh, and Chad Kroeger of Nickelback could sing me anything and I’ll be there. Man, when he does that growl…..*fanning self*….I’ll have to stop there.

  5. lisapbailey on 05 Apr 2007 at 9:01 am #

    I’ve been an AI fan since the beginning. Not a big Clay Aiken ballad fan but can’t deny the beauty of his voice. He is also a nice kid that was a counselor at the YMCA when my kids were in preschool/elementary school.

    Melinda and Jordin will both get deals and go far with proper management.

    Keith Urban can sing me to sleep or to keep me awake anytime. Also Don Henley from the Eagles. Also a huge Martina McBride fan.

  6. Julia London on 05 Apr 2007 at 9:18 am #

    I am a big Melinda fan, but I think Jordin could sneak up and take her. I like Blake, and I liked Gina!! :-(.

    Sanjaya — some theorize that he keeps the viewership high, as everyone tunes in to see what will happen to him.

    As for singers that I love — Patti Griffith, Damien Rice, 3 Doors Down….and lots more.

  7. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:36 am #

    Stacy and LisaP, That’s really cool that you have “connections” to Melinda and Clay. Makes them real people.

    And I’m so glad you like Daughtry’s cd, Terrio. It’s done amazingly well… a lot better than many of the AI winners. I loved his voice too last years and was shocked when he didn’t make the finals… but it may have been better for his career, not to be locked into all the AI contracts.

    I also love Nickelback, Coldplay, 3 Doors D, Maroon 5, Matchbox 20… bands with a little harder/rock edge, but my dh doesn’t, so about the only time I get to listen to them is when I’m driving alone in my car!

    NicoleJ

  8. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:46 am #

    As for this year’s singers’ chances to win, I think it’s a wide open race… for exactly the reason you mentioned, Krissy. People vote for the ones they like, not who technically is the best singer.

    And actully I really like most all the contestants this year and enjoy watching their perfomances. Jordin especially. And while I cringe at Sanjaya’s occasional sour notes, I can see why he has lots of fans.

    In fact, I’m not sure I want Melinda to win, for her sake. I just want her to have success after the season is over.

    And I think it’s really interesting, how some voices can turn you on and others leave you cold, no matter how popular they are. I never could get into Celine because her voice was so piercing, but she was obviously a huge star.

    NicoleJ

  9. RachelG on 05 Apr 2007 at 11:24 am #

    I’d never watched AI until this year. And I’ve only caught a few episodes in the past month. So, I’m not an authority, but I do prefer some of the guys. While I think the girl’s have beautiful voices, there are two boys–don’t know their names so I’m going to have to pause now and go on an AI search–Chris and Blake who seem to have a better quality to their performances.

    I listen to rock and country. Pop just isn’t my thing. But . . . a few years ago while I was writing and researching a book, I really got into Tom Jones. My children thought I’d lost my mind. I still have my Tom CDs and listen to them occasionally. In fact, I have a sudden yearning to listen to What’s New Pussy Cat.

  10. SuzyQ on 05 Apr 2007 at 11:41 am #

    I have been an AI fan from the first season. I liked Melinda from the beginning and also Lakisha, but she has not been as good as she was in the beginning. I think she needs to pick better songs. Jordan is definitely growing on me - she tends to keep things fresh.

    As for Sanjaya, it’s sad but a lot of his votes are not necessarily fans. There are sites like Vote For The Worst that are encouraging people to vote for who they think is the worst contestant. If this continues, it is unfair to those contestants who might have had a shot in continuing further in the competition. It just supports the fact that the most talented does not always win.

    I am also a fan of Michael Buble but I heard his performance last night was not that good. I missed last night’s episode but got the recap on the radio this morning.

  11. Claudia Dain on 05 Apr 2007 at 11:51 am #

    I’ve only seen a few episodes of AI in it’s whole, long run. I’m one of those people who hears a song, likes it, wants to hear it again, but never can remember who sang it!

    Pathetic, but true.

  12. ashefrog on 05 Apr 2007 at 12:43 pm #

    Chris Daughtry is a local boy here. They offered a free concert last Friday night. It was held outside and they were expecting 8,000 ppl. My kids wanted to go and we were planning on it, but at the least minute decided not to go because we couldn’t get there until around 8/8:30 PM and ppl had been sitting out since the night before.

    The next day the people ran the headline about the concert saying 22,000 ppl showed up. I am so glad we didn’t go, we never would have been able to get close enough. They had big screens set up but to me that is like sitting at home watching without the comforts of home.

  13. ashefrog on 05 Apr 2007 at 12:44 pm #

    oops, that should be next day the newspaper not people ran the headline

  14. colinfirthfan on 05 Apr 2007 at 12:50 pm #

    I like Jordin and Lakisha and Blake and Chris. I liked Gina too.
    The only reason my husband watches is to see Sanjaya and hear what Simon says.
    I confess - I like to hear Simon’s comments. He is quite unnescessarilly rude but he has to make up for Paula Abdul’s flakiness!! He will at least tell them the (nasty) truth.

  15. FilmPhan on 05 Apr 2007 at 1:43 pm #

    I don’t watch but my sister sure does. I hear about it every week. She is a HUGE Clay Aiken fan. She is definetly a “claymate” (I think that’s what a fan is called).

    Anyway my favorite singers are Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, and The Killers. Mostly I like to listen to soundtracks though. I like the mix of music.

  16. dbrown3400 on 05 Apr 2007 at 2:00 pm #

    I don’t watch AI, but did find out that one singer I like, Linda Eder, won 13 straight weeks on Star Search. Does that mean something?

    Currently there is one singer that I call my favorite. John Raitt, Bonnie Raitt’s father, made his debut as Billy Bigelow in Carousel on Broadway in 1945. His rendition of Soliloquy blows me away. Just as I would do with any author I like, I’m in the process of downloading or buying any music of his I can find plus obtaining DVDs of his movies. Yes, I am nuts.

    My favorite song is from the time of 9/11: I’m Already There by Lonestar, the Australian single import which, imho, has more passion than the album cut. I still get choked up when I hear that song.

    Donna

  17. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 2:06 pm #

    Rachel, I used to like Tom Jones too, many years ago, lol.

    And I love Michael Bluble’s voice, SuzyQ and Flfl..My folks played a lot of Sinatra when I was a kid. I really enjoyed his perfomance last night. I didn’t think he slurred his words at all.

    Sounds like it was good you had to miss the ChrisD concert, Ashfr! It’s a rare concert that I really love, usually cause they turn up the sound system to blast levels. I’d rather buy a cd and be able to control the volume myself *G*

    And I like Simon’s snarky wit, too. But I’m glad they have Paula to give a softer edge to the show. She said in a recent interview that she can sympathize with the contestants much more than Simon or Randy because she’s been a solo performer herself and knows how crushing a bad critique can be.

    NicoleJ

  18. colinfirthfan on 05 Apr 2007 at 2:11 pm #

    Donna, I really like that song too.

    I normally listen only to Classic Rock and a few Metal bands (like Iron Maiden) but I do listen to other stuff occassionally. I like 5 for Fighting’s - The Riddle.

    Love the new Harry Connick Jr. Album - Oh My NOLA. My 6 yr old and 3 yr old dance around crazilly as soon as we put it on. :-)

    I don’t think I have a fave artist but I’d go with Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Little River Band, Bad Company and The Beatles. :-)

    I can’t wait for Jon Bon Jovi to come on AI. I had a huge crush on him when I was 16 ;-)

  19. krissyinva on 05 Apr 2007 at 3:11 pm #

    Terrio, I know you are from Chesapeake! On some of the boards and blogs I’m Krissy79. You’re in Deep Creek right, I’m in Western Branch.

  20. TheNightPoet on 05 Apr 2007 at 4:43 pm #

    I am not an AI fan, but I did watch the last episode of the very first season, when Kelly Clarkson won. I love her songs that are out now.

    Someone mentioned Chris Daughtry in an earlier post, and I must say although I didn’t see him on AI, I love his music! Here in Kansas, his concert sold out in 5 minutes!!! I sadly didn’t get tickets, but I’m happy for him that his music is so well liked and that he is doing great. :)

    There are so many singers I love, it’s hard to say who’s my favorite. These are some singers or bands that I love. Chris Daughtry, Incubus, Audiovent, Nickleback, Boyz II Men (yes I know they aren’t around now, but I still love their music), Chuck Berry, Robert Palmer, Aerosmith, Averi, Hanson, Aretha Franklin and the list goes on an on and on. lol

    Andrea

  21. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 4:47 pm #

    >> sites like Vote For The Worst that are encouraging people to vote for who they think is the worst contestant.

    Sheesh. Suzy, I read something on line about that the other day, but I didn’t realize it was having such a profound effect! I wonder how far it can take Sanj?

    I love Five For Fighting, too, cff… especialy 100 years. I tear up with that song when he gets to the part about having only another moment till he sees his sweety again.

    I’ve never seen Star Search, Donna. Have I been missing something good? And I love that Lonestar song but didn’t know there was any other version.

    NicoleJ

  22. lisapbailey on 05 Apr 2007 at 6:17 pm #

    Nicole you mentioned Coldplay. The song “The Scientist” is possibly one of the best songs ever written and performed, IMHO.

  23. Suzanne Enoch on 05 Apr 2007 at 6:37 pm #

    Well, I don’t watch AI — it’s annoying to see how many people with great voice are out there in the world, when I’m not one of them. *g*

    As for singers, I love Russell Watson — he sang the theme song to “Enterprise”, among other things. A very pleasant-looking English lad, to boot.

    And Andrea Bocelli. Love that guy’s voice.

  24. seton on 05 Apr 2007 at 6:46 pm #

    I watched AI since the first season. I watch AI for the cheese, not necessarily for the music which really varies in terms of quality.

    I think Melinda is technically one of the best singers ever on AI, wonderful phrasing and diction — a lost art, it seems, from watching the show but I have never been swept away to vote even once.

  25. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 7:25 pm #

    >>Harry Connick Jr. My 6 yr old and 3 yr old dance around crazilly as soon as we put it on.

    Oh, my, that sounds like such fun! I’ll bet your kids are glad to have you for their mom, CFF *BG*

    And yep, AI can be really cheesy, Seton, lol. But it’s brand of cheese I like this season.

    As for country, I used to listen to it all the time when we lived in Atlanta, but I got away from it when we moved to Park City — mainly cause we couldn’t get any good signals from country stations up in the moutains. But Colin Raye was fave back then… not necessarily his voice, but I loved the songs he wrote/sang.

    Russell Watson, Suzanne? I’ll have to check him out! And I don’t know much about opera singers, but I heard Andrea B a year or so ago, and I thought his voice was wonderful. My mom got to sing with a choir as background for Pavorati once (at least that’s who I think it was, I’m so ignorant I may be confusing him with another big classic opera singer).

    NicoleJ

  26. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 7:35 pm #

    AndreaTNP, where are you in Kansas? I have family in Kansas City and several places in Missouri, and I lived in Leavenworth when I was a kid (as an Army brat).

    >>>Coldplay. The song “The Scientist” is possibly one of the best songs ever written and performed, IMHO.

    See now, LisaP, I’m sure I would recognize the tune but I don’t know titles, lol. That’s the trouble with listening to radio stations… if you like the ones without many commercials, the dj’s don’t announce the titles very often, lol.

    NicoleJ

  27. dbrown3400 on 05 Apr 2007 at 8:10 pm #

    That’s OK, Nicole, I’ve never seen Star Search either. Someone told me that Linda Eder won on that show when I mentioned her music. All I remember about it are the Ed McMahon commercials for the show.

    The Australian version of IAT is the one played on WLTW Lite FM in Manhattan. Imagine my disapointment when I bought the album and it was the same but different, if you know what I mean? It’s something in the emotion of the music is the only way I know to describe it. I found the single once which was then stolen and I’ve been looking for a replacement ever since.

    Suzanne, is that the same song that Rod Stewart sang for Patch Adams, Faith of the Heart?

    Oh, and Rachel and Nicole, I got to see Tom Jones in concert in Las Vegas in the early seventies when he was still really good. I went to a lot of things starting in the sixties but that just means I started earlier than you guys.

    db

  28. Suzanne Enoch on 05 Apr 2007 at 9:12 pm #

    Yes, DB, “Faith of the Heart”. I love that song anyway, but when a trained opera singer does pop, my little heart goes pitter patter. *g*

  29. Sabrina Jeffries on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:11 pm #

    I have only watched one show–the final one in the season where Clay Aiken and Reuben Studdard faced off. I only watched THAT because Clay Aiken is a local, and he and his mother raise a lot of money for autism research and Clay helped with autistic kids. I think I even voted.

    Other than that, I pretty much don’t watch reality TV. I have nothing against it–it just doesn’t interest me. I don’t mind shows that are real life (I guess you’d call them reality TV, but they’re not reality game shows)–stuff like Cash in the Attic, Forensic Files, things like that. But the game show ones I find boring. I’d rather watch Law & Order or Robin Hood any day.

  30. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:19 pm #

    >>Suzanne, is that the same song that Rod Stewart sang for Patch Adams, Faith of the Heart?
    >>Yes, DB, “Faith of the Heart”. I love that song anyway, but when a trained opera singer does pop, my little heart goes pitter patter. *g*

    Oh, oh, oh, so THAT is Russell Watson? I love the way he did it for the Eterprise theme song! (And the Rod Stewart version, too.) Although I have to admit, I gave up on Enterprise somewhere during the second season. I’m a die-hard Trekie, but that show just didn’t do it for me.

    And Sarbrina, I feel the same way about most reality shows. I watch Animal Planet sometimes when I’m doing weights at home. And I enjoyed Grease, and So You Think You Can Dance, cause of all my years of dance lessons when I was younger. But otherwise, nope, can’t get interested in people eating worms, lol.

    But I could swear in one of your first blogs, you mentioned some of your fave singers that I had never heard of. Can you remember who they were? I love to pick up new interests.

    NicoleJ

  31. Nicole Jordan on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:46 pm #

    I had to laugh just now because the most recent AOL welcome screen this evening led with the headline ” ‘08 Contenders vs Idol Singers. All of them want your vote. Which do you know better?” Meaning that the AI contestants are probably better known right now than the next leader of our nation.

    But I’m not saying nothin’ bout that, cause I know better than to talk about politics on a forum like this *BG*.

    NicoleJ

  32. Judy F on 06 Apr 2007 at 8:29 am #

    I don’t watch AI but I have caught it a few times just to hear Melinda sing. I am friends with Beth (Stacy;s friend too) and she went to college with Melinda. According to Beth that is the real Melinda, the sweetest person you would want to met. I hope she goes far and at least gets a record deal out of it.

    I heard on the radio the other day her song and it gave me chills.

  33. susang on 06 Apr 2007 at 9:45 am #

    I’ve never been an AI devotee. And I stopped listening to the radio in favor of books on tape about 6 years ago. Thus, I am stuck with listening to the music of the 60’s and 70’s–my dh and teenage son are stuck in the same groove.

    However, there are a couple of readers who really shine. I am listening to CJ Critt (sp) read Motor Mouth right now and just love her work. The Harry Potter reader is another star. There are others, but I have a hard time remembering titles, never mind authors and readers these days!

  34. Nicole Jordan on 06 Apr 2007 at 10:40 am #

    Judy, that is so great that Melinda is as nice as she seems. And Sabrina, Clay sounds like a really special person. That is one good thing about AI… we get to see real, normal everyday people shooting for bigger and better things.

    Susan, I’ve never heard any BOT but a good friend has… and she has fave readers, too! If I ever want to try them out, I’ll know who to ask.

    As for knowing singers, the closest I’ve ever come is through friends. One friend’s son-in-law was the original drummer for Matchbox 20. And my farrier in Atlanta played guitar for Jimmy Buffet like a million years ago.

    But otherwise, I’m don’t know any celebrities.
    NicoleJ

  35. TheNightPoet on 06 Apr 2007 at 11:03 am #

    Nicole, I am in Topeka. Wow that’s cool that you have family here in Kansas and that you lived in Leavenworth. It’s a small world. ;)

    I don’t know any celebrities, but a guy I’m friends with from college is related to Clay Aiken. I think he said he’s his cousin, but down the line. If my friends who used to have a band would have continued on with playing, I believe eventually they would have made it to the big time. But they broke up due to differences with some of the band members.

    Andrea

  36. Kasey on 06 Apr 2007 at 3:57 pm #

    I love Spring - I think part of the reason is because sometimes in Minnesota we don’t have much of a spring so when we do I love it. For example, last week it was almost 80 here, but today we had snow flurries and it is cold and windy. I wish Spring would come and stay awhile but instead we seem to toggle between winter and summer for a couple of months.

  37. Kasey on 06 Apr 2007 at 4:09 pm #

    Whoops - I posted under the wrong thread.

  38. TheNightPoet on 07 Apr 2007 at 12:12 am #

    I was flipping through channels tonight and came across the movie The Notorious Bettie Page and I remembered that one of my friends from high school is in the movie. I totally forgot about him being in that movie. He has a small part in it. He plays one of the photographers that takes Bettie’s picture. He was also in an episode of CSI. (I believe it was CSI.) Anyway, it’s pretty cool that he is doing what he loves. When he was in CSI, he played a character that was the total opposite of who he really is in real life. It was kind of weird watching him play a murder suspect, when you know in real life he’s really nice and would never be suspected of murder. I’m happy for him that he’s doing what he loves.

    Andrea

  39. Nicole Jordan on 09 Apr 2007 at 10:52 am #

    That’s perfectly ok, Kasey… we love to have you post anywhere you please *G*.

    And very cool about your friend, Andrea!

    NicoleJ

  40. Nicole Jordan on 10 Apr 2007 at 10:39 pm #

    Ok, I just listened to Melinda tonight, and I admit her performance was a little old-fashioned and dated… she needs to get a lot more contemporary. And IMHO, Jordin had a much better performance. But I still love M’s voice!

    NicoleJ

  41. Louise7 on 25 Jul 2008 at 11:11 am #

    I have wonderful news to share with fans of Melinda Doolittle. She will released her first album in fall and also work Holiday CD. Come join us at http://www.mdstreetteam.com to support Melinda Career.