American Idol Season 11 Tour

The schedule for the American Idols Live! Tour 2012 has been released! See Season 11 finalists Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Skylar Laine, Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, Deandre Brackensick, Heejun Han, and Erika Van Pelt at a stadium near you this summer! (source)

Seattle, here I come!

American Idol Season 11: Top 5

Here is the American Idol Season 11 Top 5! Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Skylar Laine, and Jessica Sanchez.

I am going to miss 6th-place finalist Elise Testone. She is my favourite vocalist from this year's group, and her live performances were among the most memorable in my books - "One and Only", "Vienna", "Whole Lotta Love", "I Want It All", "Bold As Love", etc. Keep on rockin' on, Queen Elise!

American Idol Season 11: Killer Queen Elise Testone

During this year's Rock 'n' Roll theme week, the American Idol Top 6 performed the songbook of Queen along with their own personal song choices. Resident psychedelic soul-rocker Elise Testone boldly went where few Idols have gone and covered both Queen's "I Want It All" and Jimi Hendrix's "Bold As Love" in one night. Is that crazy sexy cool or what? Elise Testone = Killer Queen!

American Idol Season 11: Top 6

I dare say that American Idol Season 11's Top 6 is one of the most diverse, entertaining, and evenly-matched group of contestants that we've seen since the spectacular Season 7! We've got voices that span across a variety of genres (country, pop, R&B, soul, rock, and acoustic), and, for the first time in years, the female:male ratio is in the ladies' favour!

Although I've been strongly advocating for a female winner during these past few seasons, I recognize the immense talent of this crop of singers, and I strongly believe that any one of them is capable of rightfully taking the Idol title. The race to the finish line is on, and it's bound to be an exhilarating journey to watch!

American Idol Season 11: Whole Lotta Love for Elise Testone!

This week, the Top 9 of American Idol Season 11 paid tribute to their own idols. Since they were singing the songs that inspired them to pursue music, the contestants all gave what Steven Tyler termed as "a Magical Mystery Tour of talent and emotion."

Once again, my favourite performer of the night was Elise Testone. (I swear, I'm not deliberately scheming to push my favourite contestant upon all of you, but I have to give mad props when mad props are due!) The bluesy singer unleashed her 70s rocker side by belting out Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", which was first covered on Season 8 by glam rocker Adam Lambert. It was groovy, electrifying, and honestly the coolest thing I've seen on the Idol stage since Haley Reinhart's "What Is And What Should Never Be" (also by Led Zeppelin) during Top 3 week last year. I just love how Elise is continuing to show us just how eclectic her musical tastes by performing these gutsy, dynamic songs every week. When you can harmonize with Stevie Nicks, sound like Janis Joplin, AND deliver a performance that would make Robert Plant proud, you know you've got it.

Rock on, woman!

American Idol Season 11: Elise Testone's Vienna

As I had alluded last week when it was announced that the American Idol Top 10 would be singing Billy Joel songs, the contestant who chose to cover "Vienna" would have the potential to win my adoration and devotion. Wow, was my prediction spot on or what?

You can imagine my delight when it was revealed that my favourite finalist, Elise Testone, was going to be tackling my favourite Billy Joel tune. With her expressive voice and soulful, jazzy-blues vibe, she was the singer most suited for the song, and Elise delivered with a sensational performance that was both sentimental and powerful. It was an Idol moment worthy of the overwhelming applause and standing ovations she received!

Idol viewers, when will you realize that Elise is one of the most dynamic and heartfelt performers of Season 11? Hopefully, her "Vienna" has helped many to reach that revelation tonight.

Download Elise Testone's studio recording of "Vienna" on iTunes.

American Idol Season 11: Top 10

Now presenting your American Idol Season 11 Top 10! Phillip Phillips, Elise Testone, Deandre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine, Heejun Han, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, and Erika Van Pelt may be performing at a North American city near you this upcoming summer, so stay tuned for tour dates!

Next week, the talented Top 10 will tackle the songbook of Billy Joel. Whoever chooses to cover "Vienna" could potentially win my loyalty (and heart).

American Idol Season 11: One and Only Elise Testone

Everyone who is familiar with my history with American Idol knows that there is a certain type of contestant that I'm drawn to every year. Usually, this Idol hopeful meets the following set of criteria: Blonde hair, bright eyes, a smile that lights up a room, free-spirited personality, unique tone, emotional performer, etc. The first of her kind was Brooke White, followed by other favourites such as Katelyn Epperly and Haley Reinhart.

This season, her name is Elise Testone, the 28-year old smokey voiced singer from Charleston, SC. During the girls night of Top 24 week, she delivered this stunning and passionate performance of Adele's "One and Only" which completely captivated me. If possible, I would buy her album tomorrow.