Ben Wilder

Singular They/Them and Other Oxymorons

It’s not uncommon to use they or them when referring to one person, generically. “If my child is sick, I get them medicine,” for example. But the rise of the they/them in contemporary society isn’t the same. Now it just shows that if any rule can be broken, why do we have rules at all?Continue reading “Singular They/Them and Other Oxymorons”

Did American Idol Goof Up Their Judge Saves for the Top 14?

Sometimes the Idol judges irritate me so much with their decisions. Last night included one of those moments, and I’m not talking about Katy’s dress that looked like metal manta ray. Or Lionel’s possible freudian slip after Kennedy’s performance… he said, “When we said ‘no,’ excuse me, when America said ‘no,’ you said ‘I don’tContinue reading “Did American Idol Goof Up Their Judge Saves for the Top 14?”

“H-O-P-E” Original Lyrics by Triston Harper

An old country soul is the best way to describe American Idol contestant Triston Harper, who’s just 15 years old. Someone check his birth certificate! In a recent episode he performed an original song called “H-O-P-E” and I’ve transcribed the lyrics below. I’m a little (a lot) embarrassed by whatever I was doing at 15Continue reading ““H-O-P-E” Original Lyrics by Triston Harper”

“Want You” Original Lyrics by Emmy Russell

Emmy Russell is gaining momentum if YouTube views are any indicator of such a claim. Her latest American Idol performance has over 76K views at the time of this post, only eclipsed by powerhouses McKenna Faith (80K) and Abi Carter (82K). She may be shy and unassuming, but it appears as though voters like herContinue reading ““Want You” Original Lyrics by Emmy Russell”

American Idol – The Thrills, The Chills, The Top 20 Revealed

The best performance of last night’s episode goes to Abi Carter, performing her version of “Welcome to the Black Parade.” Accompanied only by the piano, I heard the song in such a different way…melodic and heartbreaking in just the right way. It reminded me how much I like when singers completely change a song (ie.Continue reading “American Idol – The Thrills, The Chills, The Top 20 Revealed”