With consummate class and a showman's flair, Idyllwild's Casey Abrams left the American Idol stage, leaving an impression that will last for many seasons. Singing "I Put a Spell on You," Abrams showed why this "Jazz Messenger" has found his way into the hearts of not just his Idyllwild fans but fans the world over.
What's next? Perhaps, like Jennifer Hudson, he'll snag that movie roll. He has acting chops. But what he did, more than any other contestant in recent memory, was push the envelope, by bringing his quirky intelligence and sense of humor along with an awesome fearlessness to each week's song interpretation.
More in this coming week's article.
Showing posts with label Casey Abrams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Casey Abrams. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Where were Casey's fans? Abrams nearly eliminated!
It made for great television, but American Idol early favorite Casey Abrams’ near elimination on Thursday, March 24 was a shock to his fans and to Idyllwild. How did a guy pegged to go the distance by many in the blogosphere and the media, celebrated for his originality and musicianship, wind up with the fewest viewer votes? Where were his fans and why didn’t they vote? Has something diminished the “Casey” fan infatuation factor from the headiness of the early weeks of the contest or have fans, including locals, grown complacent, convinced he would sail safely through?
Had it not been for a once-a-season “save,” when judges can override the wisdom or digital dexterity of voters, Abrams would have exited and been denied the post-season national tour.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams, with the fewest votes of the bottom three of eleven finalists, had to “sing for his life” for a possible judges’ reprieve. Abrams had only sung a few bars of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” when judge Randy Jackson stopped him. “We know who you are,” said Jackson. “You deserve to be here,” said Jennifer Lopez. “This is crazy wrong,” said judge Steven Tyler. “We made the decision to keep you on.” And with that unanimous decision, a shocked Abrams survived. But as host Ryan Seacrest darkly noted, two finalists will be eliminated next week.
In the end, those who win do so because of viewer votes, and only if the viewers vote. Talent plays a role, but it is not necessarily determinative. Think Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol contestant to win an Oscar who didn’t even make it to the top three in season three. Left standing after her elimination were six more finalists: Fantasia Barrino (who went on to win), Diana Degarmo (runner up), and George Huff, La Toya London, John Sevens and Jasmine Trias. Only Barrino went on to some measure of sustained career success.
According to Idol lore, Idol producers created the once-a-season judges’ save in season eight, partly because of Hudson’s early elimination and subsequent successes. How many times in the first nine seasons did viewers choose those most likely to have successful recording careers? Judged by subsequent career success, not many. Which of the first nine winners (Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze) became household names? Again, not many.
Does Casey have a chance from this point on? Have finalists in the bottom three ever gone on to become the American Idol? For the most part, they have not, with two exceptions. Check out this headline from tampabay.com and the St. Petersburg Times: “American Idol shocker: [name deleted] hits bottom three.” That was Adam Lambert, season eight’s leader throughout the entire competition until a close and controversial final vote in which Kris Allen won the competition. In the week of season eight’s Top Five elimination, both Allen and Lambert landed in the bottom three.
In season three, eventual Idol winner Fantasia Barrino was in the bottom two in the Top Seven telecast when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated, and was again in the bottom two in the Top Four elimination round.
Sam Miller, a Hill resident for over 30 years and proud lady of the Red Hats said she wants the town to know they have to support this talented and fine young man. “He’s one of our own and we need to take care of him,” she urged. “This town needs to push itself a little bit more and vote to support Casey.” Miller said she spent a half hour on Thursday casting votes by telephone. “Let Casey know [by voting] that he has a town that backs him, that loves him, and that’s proud of him."
And, as an “Only in Idyllwild” aside, Miller said that because we’re a small town, where many know Casey, his schoolmates, his parents and friends, we have to work harder to compete against finalists from large metropolitan areas with potentially larger home town fan bases.
Had it not been for a once-a-season “save,” when judges can override the wisdom or digital dexterity of voters, Abrams would have exited and been denied the post-season national tour.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams, with the fewest votes of the bottom three of eleven finalists, had to “sing for his life” for a possible judges’ reprieve. Abrams had only sung a few bars of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” when judge Randy Jackson stopped him. “We know who you are,” said Jackson. “You deserve to be here,” said Jennifer Lopez. “This is crazy wrong,” said judge Steven Tyler. “We made the decision to keep you on.” And with that unanimous decision, a shocked Abrams survived. But as host Ryan Seacrest darkly noted, two finalists will be eliminated next week.
In the end, those who win do so because of viewer votes, and only if the viewers vote. Talent plays a role, but it is not necessarily determinative. Think Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol contestant to win an Oscar who didn’t even make it to the top three in season three. Left standing after her elimination were six more finalists: Fantasia Barrino (who went on to win), Diana Degarmo (runner up), and George Huff, La Toya London, John Sevens and Jasmine Trias. Only Barrino went on to some measure of sustained career success.
According to Idol lore, Idol producers created the once-a-season judges’ save in season eight, partly because of Hudson’s early elimination and subsequent successes. How many times in the first nine seasons did viewers choose those most likely to have successful recording careers? Judged by subsequent career success, not many. Which of the first nine winners (Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze) became household names? Again, not many.
Does Casey have a chance from this point on? Have finalists in the bottom three ever gone on to become the American Idol? For the most part, they have not, with two exceptions. Check out this headline from tampabay.com and the St. Petersburg Times: “American Idol shocker: [name deleted] hits bottom three.” That was Adam Lambert, season eight’s leader throughout the entire competition until a close and controversial final vote in which Kris Allen won the competition. In the week of season eight’s Top Five elimination, both Allen and Lambert landed in the bottom three.
In season three, eventual Idol winner Fantasia Barrino was in the bottom two in the Top Seven telecast when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated, and was again in the bottom two in the Top Four elimination round.
Sam Miller, a Hill resident for over 30 years and proud lady of the Red Hats said she wants the town to know they have to support this talented and fine young man. “He’s one of our own and we need to take care of him,” she urged. “This town needs to push itself a little bit more and vote to support Casey.” Miller said she spent a half hour on Thursday casting votes by telephone. “Let Casey know [by voting] that he has a town that backs him, that loves him, and that’s proud of him."
And, as an “Only in Idyllwild” aside, Miller said that because we’re a small town, where many know Casey, his schoolmates, his parents and friends, we have to work harder to compete against finalists from large metropolitan areas with potentially larger home town fan bases.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Casey Abrams out of hospital and eager for Wednesday
American Idol finalist and Idyllwild resident Casey Abrams was released from the hospital today and is eager to sing in Wednesday's American Idol competition.
Abrams suffers from ulcerative colitis, an intestinal condition that can be both genetically influenced and stress aggravated.
Abrams was able to work from the hospital using Skype on the arrangements for this week's performance with AI producer Don Was. He will be in rehearsal on Monday for Wednesday's show.
According to mother Pam Pierce, Casey "sends his bear hugs to the town and Idyllwild Arts and to everyone who helped by their thoughts, wishes and prayers."
American Idol airs on Wednesday, March 16 at 8 p.m. Viewers will have a two hour window at the telecast's conclusion to vote for Casey.
Results air on Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day. One contestant of the remaining 12 will be eliminated if not saved by a unanimous vote of the judges.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Casey Abrams voting alert: American Idol voting procedure for Tuesday, March 1
On Tuesday, March 1 the top 12 men sing for viewer votes for the first time this season. The 12 male semifinalists will perform Tuesday, March 1 8/7c, and the 12 female semifinalists will perform Wednesday, March 2 8/7c on FOX. Then, tune in to see who America picks to become a finalist on the season’s first LIVE results show Thursday, March 3 8/7c.
At the end of each performance show, the phone lines will open for at least two hours and American Idol viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestant(s) via the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.). AT&T wireless subscribers can use their cell phones to vote by texting the word “VOTE” to the four-digit short code (5701, 5702, etc.) that corresponds with the contestant of their choice. Additionally, fans will be able to cast their votes online right here on AmericanIdol.com.
To vote online during the voting window, fans should visit americanidol.com and follow the directions. Fans will be required to log in using their Facebook account to access the American Idol voting page, which will feature the name and photo of each of the current contestants. To vote, fans will simply choose their favorite contestant, complete the security verification and submit their choice. After each performance show and during the online voting window, fans may cast up to 50 total online votes for that evening's performances. Only fans with a registered Facebook account in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to cast their vote(s) online.
At the end of each performance show, the phone lines will open for at least two hours and American Idol viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestant(s) via the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.). AT&T wireless subscribers can use their cell phones to vote by texting the word “VOTE” to the four-digit short code (5701, 5702, etc.) that corresponds with the contestant of their choice. Additionally, fans will be able to cast their votes online right here on AmericanIdol.com.
To vote online during the voting window, fans should visit americanidol.com and follow the directions. Fans will be required to log in using their Facebook account to access the American Idol voting page, which will feature the name and photo of each of the current contestants. To vote, fans will simply choose their favorite contestant, complete the security verification and submit their choice. After each performance show and during the online voting window, fans may cast up to 50 total online votes for that evening's performances. Only fans with a registered Facebook account in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to cast their vote(s) online.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Casey Abrams makes the top 24 on American Idol
Casey Abrams made it to the top 24 of American Idol’s (AI) season 10. On Thursday Feb. 24, Abrams was one of the last contestants to take the long “Green Mile” warehouse walk to face the three AI judges on their elevated platform. Abrams is now one of 12 men remaining in the competition. Welcoming Casey afterward were his parents Ira Abrams, Pam Pierce and jazz mentor Marshall Hawkins.
Joining Abrams among the top 24 is Idyllwild Arts one-year veteran Julie Zorrilla, one of 12 women remaining.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams was again given a feature spot, with his bass accompanied “I’m here to prove people like me can be sexy” take on “Why Don’t You Do Right?” Afterward, it fell to Randy Jackson to deliver the news to Abrams. With sincerity and no traditional judge-fake out, Jackson observed, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my life, on this show, a musician as talented as you.” And with that, Abrams jumped to his feet knocking his chair off the platform. Glancing down at the fallen chair and with characteristic Abrams quickness, Casey said,” Don’t worry, I’ll pay for that.”
Surprise eliminations include 15 year old Jacee Badeaux and cowboy John Wayne Schultz.
The 12 remaining men are: Abrams, Jovany Barreto, Jordan Dorsey, James Durbin, Clint Jun Gamboa, Tim Halperin, Stefano Langone, Brett Loewenstern, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald and Robbie Rosen. The 12 women are: Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Kendra Chantrelle, Ashton Jones, Thia Megia, Haley Rinehart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Lauren Turner, Tatynisa Wilson, Rachel Zevita and Julie Zorrilla.
On Friday, Feb. 25 the remaining men taped an episode to be aired Tuesday, March 1. After airing, viewers can vote for the first time, by phone or online (through Facebook.) Reliable sources confirm that Casey was released from the hospital and did tape on Friday.
Viewers will have a two hour window after the Tuesday episode concludes at 10 p.m. to vote for Casey.
Joining Abrams among the top 24 is Idyllwild Arts one-year veteran Julie Zorrilla, one of 12 women remaining.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams was again given a feature spot, with his bass accompanied “I’m here to prove people like me can be sexy” take on “Why Don’t You Do Right?” Afterward, it fell to Randy Jackson to deliver the news to Abrams. With sincerity and no traditional judge-fake out, Jackson observed, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my life, on this show, a musician as talented as you.” And with that, Abrams jumped to his feet knocking his chair off the platform. Glancing down at the fallen chair and with characteristic Abrams quickness, Casey said,” Don’t worry, I’ll pay for that.”
Surprise eliminations include 15 year old Jacee Badeaux and cowboy John Wayne Schultz.
The 12 remaining men are: Abrams, Jovany Barreto, Jordan Dorsey, James Durbin, Clint Jun Gamboa, Tim Halperin, Stefano Langone, Brett Loewenstern, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald and Robbie Rosen. The 12 women are: Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Kendra Chantrelle, Ashton Jones, Thia Megia, Haley Rinehart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Lauren Turner, Tatynisa Wilson, Rachel Zevita and Julie Zorrilla.
On Friday, Feb. 25 the remaining men taped an episode to be aired Tuesday, March 1. After airing, viewers can vote for the first time, by phone or online (through Facebook.) Reliable sources confirm that Casey was released from the hospital and did tape on Friday.
Viewers will have a two hour window after the Tuesday episode concludes at 10 p.m. to vote for Casey.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Casey Abrams hospitalized for dehydration, expected to continue in competition
American Idol top 24 season 10 semifinalist Casey Abrams is hospitalized, suffering from dehydration but is expected to fully recover, according to reliable sources. At this point, Abrams is expected to tape an Idol episode on Friday, Feb. 25 in which the final 12 men perform.
Idol has kept a tight lid on reports but other news media broke the news of Abrams' hospitalization in Los Angeles.
Abrams' and the other male contestants' taped performances will air next week and, according to schedules published in TV Guide, and confirmed by Idol PR's Jennifer Sprague, the men's episode will air on Tuesday, March 1, a change from normal Wednesday, Thursday Idol airings. After the Tuesday and Wednesday telecasts, viewers will have two hours to vote by phone or online (through viewers' Facebook accounts).Viewers who want to vote for Casey must do so immediately after the Tuesday, March 1 telecast.
Check this blog for confirmation of whether Abrams taped on Friday.
The picture used above was taken at Idyllwild Arts during the telecast of Abrams' Austin audition.
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