I'll admit, I was initially skeptical of American Idol's decision to lump an assorted array of auditions into one episode. I was thinking, "can't we just discover them in Hollywood or something?" Right now, I'm still a bit skeptical, but at least I can count the bad auditions with only one hand, and everything else went from passable to just great. In fact, this episode introduced me to two names that might be familiar to you, considering the Top 24 spoilers--and that's where we kick off this edition of the American Idol honor roll.

The obligatory shoutout: Michael Lynche. His name sounds familiar, right? He's the guy who was supposedly disqualified after his father revealed his inclusion into the Top 24. But that's just rumor, so maybe he's in it. Still, he's quite a surprise: the trainer has a soulful voice that actually defies his intimidating size.

His MySpace page--where he describes himself as "part soul machine, part booty shaker, [and] part baby maker"--no longer has songs up, but his official website has an interesting bunch of songs that have a nice bounce to it. Know what? After hearing this, I imagine him going far into the Top 12.

This week's honoree: Didi Benami. But my favorite from the last batch has to be Didi Benami, she who auditioned in memory of her last BFF. She was emotional but it probably helped her--her take on "Hey Jude" was jazzy, upbeat and very unique. She does remind me of Megan Joy, only without the quirkiness that would turn off an ordinary fan. (Nope, she doesn't dance the Corkrey.) They have similar singing style, but Didi is far more accessible.


Her MySpace page reveals a bit about her closeness with her late best friend, Rebecca Joy Lear. You see, Didi grew up a music lover, but did not pursue that career track until she met Rebecca, a singer-songwriter from Wichita. Studying together at Belmont University in Nashville, they pursued music together until Rebecca died in a car accident shortly before Christmas four years ago. (Here's Rebecca's website, by the way. I think she would've auditioned for Idol too.)

I can't find much of Didi's songs, but here's a really short clip of her singing on the subway:


I did tell you her name's on the Top 24 list too, right? My fingers are crossed she makes it far. We need more of her sort on Idol.





(Image courtesy of Didi Benami's MySpace page)