Could this guy win American Idol?

My top pick, it’s been decided, is Slater Nalley. But… and yes, there’s a but… after the second group of singers sang, I’m not so sure. Something about Thunderstorm Artis is reminding me of the crowd energy when Iam Tongi was a contestant. Every time he got on stage, it was pretty obvious he had all the momentum. I’m starting to feel that with Thunderstorm. This season might already be in the bag for Mr. Artis.

-Out of the Wilderness

American Idol in Hawaii – Gabby Remembers, Slater Wishes, Jamal Accuses

Half of the 24 contestants auditioned for the viewing public last night at the Disney resort on the island of Honolulu, Hawaii and, honestly, it was just OK for the first 30 minutes or so. Now to be fair, all of the singers have talent. They’re certainly light years ahead of me and so for that, they should all be so proud to have made it this far. They’re good. It’s just that some of them are so far beyond good that the good singers will get left behind. Not like the “Left Behind” books, the OK singers aren’t going to Hell, calm down! I just mean that when a pro gets up there on stage, it’s clear who the imposters are. Let’s start with the point in the show (30 minutes in, like I said) where Simon Cowell would’ve said, “Now the show has started.” A few contestants had come and gone. Forgettable. Then Gabby Samone took the stage with a Celine Dion song and this right here is the first singer of the show that went beyond singing and connected with the audience.

The episode continued to get better and better as it went on. Better singers, better performances, and it ended with two guys that will comprise part of the final 5 contestants (just in my opinion, of course). That is, Slater Nalley and Jamal Roberts. Oh, throw Breanna Nix in there, too. So the best of the night were Gabby, Slater, Breanna, and Jamal. Everyone else ought to start packing their bags.

Slater Nalley channeled a little bit of his inner David Gray in his rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” But his overall tone is so gritty, growly, he stands alone in this competition. I’d still love to hear his falsetto… I think it would be mesmerizing. This song had a few places he could’ve hit a higher falsetto and maybe used a little less of the scream/yell type delivery but at the same time, we want singers with grit, with a story to tell, don’t we? Sometimes passion is loud and I’m ok with that. He’s my pick to win it all.

Breanna Nix had a bit of the “mom vibe” going on with her wardrobe, nothing that can’t be refreshed as the season goes on. While she might have appeared to be a little bit orchestrated on stage (go here, then go there, raise hand, go here, look at crowd), she can sure sing. She’s solidified herself in the Christian music lane with this powerfully-delivered performance of “Still Rolling Stones.”

Jamal Roberts… In spite of my pick for #1 being Slater Nalley, Jamal continues to remind me that sometimes I’m wrong. He has an incredible voice, stage presence beyond any of the other contestants in this episode. Plus, who doesn’t love where he’s coming from as a loving single father and an elementary school P.E. teacher? And don’t forget he’s got the best smile this season, or as Jelly Roll put it– a smile for days. Top 3, at least.

There’re 8 other singers in this episode and I have no idea who they are. In other words, it’s clear who should be eliminated this round and I’m sorry to say that one is a person the judges seem to love (baffling!) and the other is offspring of a famous boyband singer. Before I went to sleep last night, I couldn’t help but rewatch one of the best Idol moments in history. Remember Jessica, Candice, and DeAndre singing “I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”?

-Out of the Wilderness

If you’d like to make a small donation to help Out of the Wilderness keep posting daily, click here

American Idol Behind the Scenes Singing – April 2025

Judges have done their due diligence and selected the top 24 American Idol contestants who will be singing for our votes as soon as tonight. For a full list of the two dozen singers, click here>>. As I was looking up what to write about today, I found a few clips that I can’t help but post. We all know Slater Nalley will be crowned champion (I have spoken it into existence!), but here are some great “back stage” style clips a few people have posted online. Do you have a favorite from the lot below?

This gospel moment is pretty awesome. Two of my favorites in this group, too– Slater Nalley and Jamal Roberts.

This is a shaping up to be a pretty great season of Idol. My prediction still remains that it’ll be a guy winning because of such strong talent from Slater Nalley (my favorite, did I say this yet?), Jamal Roberts, Canaan James Hill, Thunderstorm Artis… I just can’t see anyone getting more votes than these guys.

-Out of the Wilderness

A Dating Update – Does the Gentleman or the Bad Boy Get the Date?

This is kind of a weird post for today because, to be honest, there isn’t really an update to my dating life! Or if there was it would be this: Threat Level Orange. What’s it called when you get rejected multiple times in a row? That’s what’s been happening since Christmas, whether it’s a woman I met in “real life” or an online connection. In fact, one woman even cancelled a date while I was on the way to the date! That’s certainly one I won’t forget anytime soon. Another woman cancelled twice with flimsy excuses.

I feel like the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s. All dressed up and nowhere to go. Well, they DID make it to the Super Bowl a handful of times but everyone remembers they couldn’t ever win the big game in that era. At least they made it to the championship, though, right? My dating life is actually worse. I can’t even get a single game scheduled.

Any advice on what I might be doing wrong or, ladies out there– what’s a surefire way for a guy to secure a date in 2025? I’m starting to believe being a gentleman doesn’t work anymore and, to be honest, trying to be the bad boy has worked either. I’m pretty much out of ideas.

-Out of the Wilderness

DirecTV Pigeons and the New Squirrel – The Voices Behind the Action

The DirecTV pigeons are back and they have a surprise guest in a recent commercial. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Louise Belcher! Take a look at the ad then scroll down for more…

By now you probably know the birds are voiced by actors Steve Buscemi and Henry Winkler. But who’s lending their voice to the anxious squirrel? None other than actress Kristen Schaal (@k.schaal).

Kristen has quite a resumé of acting gigs but she might be most well-known as Louise Belcher in “Bob’s Burgers.”

DirecTV is taking flight with these pigeon ads. Now they’ve added a squirrel and who knows what they have in store next!

If you’d like to make a small donation to help Out of the Wilderness keep posting every day, click here

-Out of the Wilderness