American Idol Aspen Contestants Unimpressive

By Kris Coombs, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, January 26, 2012

The search for the next American Idol continued in Aspen, Colo., last night, with very few contestants in the Rocky Mountains able to impress the weary judges.

Thousands of people auditioned, but a mere 31 contestants received a Golden ticket to advance to Hollywood.

Tealana Hedgespeth, a spirited contestant all dressed up in yellow, sang Melissa Etheridge's "Bring Me Some Water," ending a contestant winning streak, to the chagrin of judge Jennifer Lopez. Lopez actually pleaded with fellow judge and musician, Steven Tyler, during Hedgespeth's performance not to permit her to belt another tune.

"Have you ever recorded your voice and listened back?" Tyler asked Hedgespeth.

"Singing's just not your thing, it was just terrible," judge Randy Jackson told contestant Alanna Snare, who sang "Jolene" by Dolly Parton.

One contestant caused a bit of confusion among the judges. Angie Zeiderman, a blue-haired waitress with a lip ring, sang Lady Gaga and a showtune, which did not impress Jackson, who refused to hear more. Lopez still insisted, and Zeiderman's next song, "Blue Bayou," bought her a ticket to Hollywood.

Things weren't all bad in Aspen for the judges, however. Shelby Tweeten, a contestant who shared her battle with bipolar disorder with viewers, swayed the judges with a lovely version of "Temporary Home."

Jairon Jackson, 19, was arguably the most daring contestant of the night. Jackson sang his own song, "So Hard," despite being warned by his friends not to.

"You're a lover…you got something special there," Lopez told Jackson, adding that he was a "real artist."

"I love your voice...It's right out of my era. I'm honored to be here listening to you," Steven Tyler told 18-year-old Haley Smith, a bit of a hippie type, who sang a hit from the 1970s entitled "Tell Me Something Good."

"American Idol" season 11 auditions will continue in Houston, Texas on Thursday. The show airs 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) on FOX.

Judges should have more to look forward to, considering Texas is home to the likes of Beyoncé, Kenny Rogers, Jamie Foxx, and season one American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson.