Milwaukee Auditions: “All the isms and none of the wasms”
If you’re a Twitter person, log on sometime during one of the audition episodes and follow #tylerisms. You’ll see a running list of all the fun things Steven Tyler says during an episode.
And boy did he give a lot to tweet about tonight. There’s no doubt, gang. I am in love with Steven Tyler…
Things got off to a great start when Steven and Randy “dueted” on “Sweet Emotion,” which Steven re-wrote for the occasion. Then, after JLo’s excitement of her view of the ocean (in Milwaukee), it was off to the races…
The first audition we saw tonight was from 16-year-old Scotty McCreery from Garner, NC, who wowed with his low country voice on Josh Turner’s “Your Man.” But then, at Steven’s wise request, he also sang “Put Some Drive In Your Country” just as well. Steven offered his first Tylerism, but I can’t print it in a family blog. I’ll just say it involved a duck and a word that rhymes with duck. And it was hilarious. The judges told us that Scotty was one to watch and I agree. His journey could be interesting…
Up next was Joe Rupka, an aspiring DJ from Swanton, Ohio. Unfortunately, he did not represent the Buckeye state very well, as he destroyed “The Longest Time.” But Steven gamely danced and sang along anyway. Joe, of course, didn’t go through. My real question is what that weird finger thing was he kept doing every time he did his radio station’s call letters…
The judges were completely split over 15-year-old Emma Henry from Littleton, Colorado. Her choice of “True Colors” was a good one for her voice, but I thought she was just too immature and JLo agreed. However, Randy caved and agreed with Steven to send her to Hollywood…We were then treated to a montage of bad performances. Poor Lady Gaga. If she was watching, she quickly turned the channel…
Naima Adedaso, a janitor at Milwaukee’s famous Summerfest festival, wowed with “For All We Know.” Steven’s next Tylerism was leveled at JLo when he jokingly took offense to her calling him Steve: “You could call me late for dinner and I’d still love you”…
Now, I have to ask what was up with that contestant doing that back flip that smashed that guy’s camera? I mean, why were they even doing that?
The first person that really wowed me was 27-year-old Jerome Bell from New York City, who came out in a great outfit. He did a pitch perfect version of “Let’s Get It On” that didn’t sound like contestants normally do it—and I mean that as a compliment. Jerome was the contestant that elicited my favorite Tylerism of the night when Randy said the performance brought out all of the isms: “All the isms and none of the wasms”…
15-year-old Thia Megia’s rendition of “Chasing Pavements” reminded me a little of the first time we heard Megan Joy—when I actually liked her. Hopefully, Thia will live up to her promise…
Ryan then informed us that every 15-year-old contestant in Milwaukee received a golden ticket to Hollywood. Sounds like the judges have Bieber Fever…
I hate the bad auditions because they make me feel so awkward, but I actually laughed at Nathaniel Jones, the Civil War re-enactor who tried to sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” And it’s funny how Steven has decided to play nice by saying that he likes a performance, but it’s not for the show…
Then, in walked an “Idol” dream contestant, 22-year-old Molly DeWolf Swensen, who did a pretty original rendition of “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay.” Molly is a recent grad from Harvard that is currently working as a White House intern. As Steven said, “You got attitude and you know where to put it.” Blonde, good-looking, long legs, a good voice and a good back story? Talk about your total package. Plus, she told a funny story about Randy accidentally punching her in the face earlier in the day…
The second day of Milwaukee got off to a fun start with Haley Reinhart from Wheeling, Indiana, who sang “O’Darlin.’” Steven’s first Tylerism of the day was “Da-ding,” which referred to the carnival game when the strong man swings the mallet and makes the bell ring. He told Haley that when she hit a certain note it was “da-ding.” Randy laughed like Steven was crazy, but I thought it was a great way to describe it…
Tiwan Strong of Chicago made the excellent choice to sing “Twistin’ the Night Away” for his Hollywood ticket. There was a funny moment out in the hallway after the audition when one of Tiwan’s family members developed a charley horse and couldn’t stand up and her celebrating family thought she was just excited and completely ignored her. Luckily, Ryan was there to help…
Steve Beghun, the CPA/auditor, who sings at weddings and funerals, was the most interesting audition of the night. I didn’t think he was going to be able to sing, but he ripped out a great rendition of The Script’s “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”—an excellent choice that really should’ve been a much bigger hit for them. The Tylerism: “I found you to be disturbingly great”…
Vernika Patterson was the first contestant we have seen really talk back to the judges this season. Her butchering of “Loving You” was followed by a montage of upset contestants…
Albert Rogers III, 24, had a voice in there somewhere—and not just his Barack Obama impersonation. I think with some voice lessons, he could really do something. I listened to this Tylerism three times and still didn’t get it. Something about vanilla fudge and “Eleanor Rigby”…
The other person that wowed me tonight was 22-year-old Scott Dangerfield who did “Dreamin’.” It was clear the judges didn’t think the guy with the geeky looks could sing, but they were wrong. JLo called him “my favorite.” I always love it when the geek can sing…
The show did an excellent editing job with the audition of Packers super fan Megan Frasier, who did an operatic version of Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” When Megan told Randy that the Packers were going to win the Super Bowl, Ryan added ( in a voiceover that was clearly dubbed in later) that we would find out in two weeks…
Steven Tyler showed some true honesty with Alyson Jados, who considers him her idol. He told her that her renditions of “Come Together” and “Dream On” were “very pitchy” and he was right. But after Randy said no, Steven sided with JLo and put her through…
But the audition everyone will be talking about came at the end of the show. Chris Medina of Oak Forest, Illinois, showcased his pure falsetto on a jazzy rendition of The Script’s “Break Even.” However, it’s what happened after his audition that everyone will remember as the judges brought his fiancé, who suffered a traumatic brain injury two months before their wedding, into the room. The three of them got up from behind the table and came over and introduced themselves to her in her wheelchair. They were all sweet, but Steven went above and beyond as he delivered what might have been his best Tylerism of the night: “He sings beautiful because he’s singing to you.” I’m not ashamed to admit I did a little crying and based on my Facebook posts, I wasn’t alone…
In all, 53 people advanced to Hollywood. And tonight, we head to Nashville…
Steven told Alyson Jados after he hugged her, “It gets better. Watch.” I think that could be the motto for the “Idol” season thus far because it just keeps getting better…
What do you think? Who were your favorites from Milwaukee? And what were your favorite Tylerisms?
And don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter @angelahbentley…
Photos Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
Ryan then informed us that every 15-year-old contestant in Milwaukee received a golden ticket to Hollywood. Sounds like the judges have Bieber Fever…
I hate the bad auditions because they make me feel so awkward, but I actually laughed at Nathaniel Jones, the Civil War re-enactor who tried to sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” And it’s funny how Steven has decided to play nice by saying that he likes a performance, but it’s not for the show…
Then, in walked an “Idol” dream contestant, 22-year-old Molly DeWolf Swensen, who did a pretty original rendition of “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay.” Molly is a recent grad from Harvard that is currently working as a White House intern. As Steven said, “You got attitude and you know where to put it.” Blonde, good-looking, long legs, a good voice and a good back story? Talk about your total package. Plus, she told a funny story about Randy accidentally punching her in the face earlier in the day…
The second day of Milwaukee got off to a fun start with Haley Reinhart from Wheeling, Indiana, who sang “O’Darlin.’” Steven’s first Tylerism of the day was “Da-ding,” which referred to the carnival game when the strong man swings the mallet and makes the bell ring. He told Haley that when she hit a certain note it was “da-ding.” Randy laughed like Steven was crazy, but I thought it was a great way to describe it…Tiwan Strong of Chicago made the excellent choice to sing “Twistin’ the Night Away” for his Hollywood ticket. There was a funny moment out in the hallway after the audition when one of Tiwan’s family members developed a charley horse and couldn’t stand up and her celebrating family thought she was just excited and completely ignored her. Luckily, Ryan was there to help…
Steve Beghun, the CPA/auditor, who sings at weddings and funerals, was the most interesting audition of the night. I didn’t think he was going to be able to sing, but he ripped out a great rendition of The Script’s “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”—an excellent choice that really should’ve been a much bigger hit for them. The Tylerism: “I found you to be disturbingly great”…
Vernika Patterson was the first contestant we have seen really talk back to the judges this season. Her butchering of “Loving You” was followed by a montage of upset contestants…
Albert Rogers III, 24, had a voice in there somewhere—and not just his Barack Obama impersonation. I think with some voice lessons, he could really do something. I listened to this Tylerism three times and still didn’t get it. Something about vanilla fudge and “Eleanor Rigby”…
The other person that wowed me tonight was 22-year-old Scott Dangerfield who did “Dreamin’.” It was clear the judges didn’t think the guy with the geeky looks could sing, but they were wrong. JLo called him “my favorite.” I always love it when the geek can sing…
The show did an excellent editing job with the audition of Packers super fan Megan Frasier, who did an operatic version of Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” When Megan told Randy that the Packers were going to win the Super Bowl, Ryan added ( in a voiceover that was clearly dubbed in later) that we would find out in two weeks…Steven Tyler showed some true honesty with Alyson Jados, who considers him her idol. He told her that her renditions of “Come Together” and “Dream On” were “very pitchy” and he was right. But after Randy said no, Steven sided with JLo and put her through…
But the audition everyone will be talking about came at the end of the show. Chris Medina of Oak Forest, Illinois, showcased his pure falsetto on a jazzy rendition of The Script’s “Break Even.” However, it’s what happened after his audition that everyone will remember as the judges brought his fiancé, who suffered a traumatic brain injury two months before their wedding, into the room. The three of them got up from behind the table and came over and introduced themselves to her in her wheelchair. They were all sweet, but Steven went above and beyond as he delivered what might have been his best Tylerism of the night: “He sings beautiful because he’s singing to you.” I’m not ashamed to admit I did a little crying and based on my Facebook posts, I wasn’t alone…
In all, 53 people advanced to Hollywood. And tonight, we head to Nashville…
Steven told Alyson Jados after he hugged her, “It gets better. Watch.” I think that could be the motto for the “Idol” season thus far because it just keeps getting better…
What do you think? Who were your favorites from Milwaukee? And what were your favorite Tylerisms?
And don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter @angelahbentley…
Photos Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
posted Angela Henderson-Bentley @12:42 AM 
