American Idol Faves From Last Night – Country Music, Gospel, and Rock

Hello there and thanks for dropping by to check out my take on the final episode of American Idol’s audition rounds before Hollywood week. I won’t really do a recap here because the entire episode is available online and it’s worth watching, especially so you can listen to the best three performances of the entire show. There were quite a few good singers but these three could easily make the top 10.

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Clara Rae “Radioactive” – It’s not a song I’ve ever liked but her smokey voice and delightful personality will resonate with fans and if she picks songs we know and she keeps being as cute as a button, she’ll be top 10 without a doubt.

Canaan James Hill singing “I Need Your Glory” – I still don’t believe this kid is 17 years old. He’s more mature than this 46-year-old guy I know. 🧐 His voice is so pleasant. As long as he can stay relatable to the audience (that phrase “too Heavenly minded to be any earthly good” comes to mind), he will be one of the best this season. I still don’t like the platinum ticket because it means we see him less, which could hurt him down the road, but he’s got an incredible voice.

Will Carter, original song called “Dreams” (lyrics here). I’m not blown away by the lyrics like the judges were but I love his vibrato voice and his overall laissez-faire style. Reminds me of singers I’ve liked in the past– Jack Blocker from last season and Phillip Phillips from way back.

Other standouts for sure, and if I had to pick another favorite for this episode– Samantha Ray. Something about her sweet voice and ash/blonde hair and her kind disposition makes me like her a lot.

-Out of the Wilderness

American Idol Will Carter “Dreams” – Song Lyrics

I’m afraid to chase my dreams
and I don’t know why

It might sound kind of stupid
But I’m trapped inside my mind

And I’m scared I won’t find the meaning to this life
No, I, I don’t want to wake up in 20 years hating my life

I, I know time is precious with every second that goes by
All this life has given me is hurt and heartbreak

I know I’ll see the brighter side when I fight through this pain
After the storm I will see the sunrise

Maybe I can chase my dreams they’re on the horizon
And I’m afraid to chase my dreams
with all these demons chasing me

I try to run but I’m not that fast
so I’m afraid to chase my dreams
I’m afraid to chase my dreams

-Out of the Wilderness

Benson Boone in new Cadillac Commercial

Singer/songwriter Benson Boone has shot to fame since his first big hit (More about “Beautiful Things” here) and I guess it’s a good sign you’ve made it when you’re an opening act for Taylor Swift. Or one of your songs is used as the soundtrack of a Cadillac commercial.

Show Me The Money. From what I could find, income varies for artist having a song featured in a commercial. Since Benson is new to the scene, his fee is lower than a band like Led Zeppelin, for instance. Still, though, he’s making four, probably five figures from this ad alone. I wonder if they would just give him a Cadillac and call it a day. Kind of like Chevrolet giving the guys in Florida Georgia Line a truck when “Cruise” came out. You know that line… this brand new Chevy with a lift kit would look a hell of a lot better with you up in it…

But what’s the song from Mr. Boone in the Caddy ad? It’s from 2022, and it’s called “Nights Like These.”

Are you rushing out to buy a Cadillac now?

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-Out of the Wilderness

Starbucks Commercial with a Song From Nearly 100 Years Ago

Starbucks is inviting all of us to take off our coats and stay awhile. But not that person who goes there just for the internet and doesn’t order a drink or a muffin! You know who you are. If you want the internet, just stay (awhile) in the parking long you goofball! OK, I’ve done that before, I’m sorry Starbucks. Take a look at the ad then let’s take a walk down memory lane.

The Song. Over 50 years ago when legend Willie Nelson was 102 years old, he recorded this song called “Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)”…

But that would be considered a cover version because the original song is by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. They recorded the track in the early 1940s, you know… the good ol’ days…

Are you upset that the first time you’re hearing such a good song is in a Starbucks ad? It’ll take some time to come to peace about that. Kind of like a dude with a shirt he loves but it’s from Old Navy. For all of you coffee lovers in Florida, check out my friends’ shop Opus Coffee with shops all around Gainesville, Florida, or order online here. Good guys, good coffee!

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

-Out of the Wilderness

The NCAA Says Don’t Be A Meanie In March Madness Gambling Commercial

This is the second year that the NCAA has used their “Draw the Line” campaign during March Madness– the exciting finals tournament for men’s and women’s college basketball. It’s a direct message to all the losers out there (literally, people who lost bets related to college sports)… the NCAA wants you to stop being such a meanie! Take a look then scroll down for more.

I guess what’s happening is that people lose bets and then take it out on athletes, coaches, and referees. OK, yeah, that’s pretty immature. It’s not like they’re all in on a secret plot to make one team win all the time… or one team make it to the Super Bowl every stinkin’ year. *ahem, the Chiefs!*

Bullying is usually frowned upon but let’s be honest, sometimes players need a little healthy trolling. Case in point: Lebron James getting posterized 3 times as the Miami Heat score 9 points to win the game… in the last 12 seconds!

A little poking fun, some ribbing, it’s part of competition. But fans should “Draw the Line,” as NCAA phrases it. Just because Lebron was to blame for you losing your bets in that game doesn’t mean he deserves something bad to happen to him. Of course, some would say that professional athletes should know that harassment comes with the territory. Take your millions and deal with it. Is that true for college athletes as well? They’re willing to play their sport in a public setting so should they be able to take the bad with the good? Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible to measure how much harassment comes from gamblers specifically so that was interesting to learn about in the article from the NCAA.

The real solution, beyond asking people to behave, is to address this graphic from the NCAA website. If there weren’t any states that allowed gambling, the number of bet-related incidences would decrease a whole bunch, don’t you think?

It’s not my job to make bad people good. I realized that many years ago. Only God can do that. The NCAA is attempting, whether it’s working or not, to make bad people a little less bad. They can help athletes be a little safer in a cruel world. Cynics (like me, sometimes) might ask, “Why?” Why does the NCAA care if people behave? Who makes the rules that we are supposed to be nice to one another? Well, on the one hand, it helps the health of the human race to remain civilized. On the other hand and in a religious aspect, it’s how God designed us to be. We are generally selfish, mean, etc… but within us is the desire to be more like God– graceful, kind, loving. We should love our neighbor because we want to be loved, too. We should help because we also want to be helped.

So when you lose your bet… and you will because the house always wins… just let it go. It doesn’t help anyone to lash out even if the referees literally ALWAYS help the Chiefs. 🤬

-Out of the Wilderness