Tonight the producers of American Idol mixed it up by having the remaining 10 contestants sing songs from the year they were born.  Yes, the best Kristy Lee Cook could come up with was “God Bless The USA”.  Good thing Taylor Hicks is not on this season or he would have been singing “The Star Spangled Banner”.

The best of the best tonight was Aussie Michael Johns and his Queen combo.

My Winners Tonight: Syesha Mercado, Michael Johns, David Cook

In The Middle: Ramiele Malubay, Chikezie, David Archuleta

Danger Zone: Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook (since she always is)

Ramiele Malubay - “Alone” - Ram did a good job with this popular song.  I have not been a big fan of hers to date but I thought she did pretty good tonight.  She was not perfect but one of her better performances.  Grade: B

Jason Castro - “Fragile” - Fidel brought out his guitar again and went the folk route again which was smart.  I couldn’t understand half of this song.  Either Jason was drunk or singing in a different language.  When people sing in a different language (drunk) I usually think I could have done that.  Jason was ok but not that good IMO.  Grade: D

Syesha Mercado - “If I Were Your Woman” - This girl has soul and sass and that can take you all the way to the finals.  Syesha is not as strong as last years soul singers but she is very possibly the best of this years crowd.  I thought her performance was absolutely beautiful.  Grade: A+

Chikezie - “If Only For A Night” - Dude has a strong voice.  His performance tonight was pretty strong but not as good as his performances the past two weeks.  He should very easily be back next week.  Grade: B

Brooke White - “Every Breath You Take” - A different take on the Sting/Puff Daddy song.  It sounded really cheesy and short of not only Sting’s original version, but also Puff’s take on it.  Deer in headlights before the judges once again.  Grade: D-

Michael Johns - “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions - When I got a preview list of the songs to be sung tonight my first thought was that there was no way Johns could pull this two off.  He did more than pull them off, he totally rocked them out.  The best performance of the night so far.  Grade: A+

Carly Smithson - “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” - Yikes I was just listening to her performance and she sounded pregnant.  Her pitch problems were horrific and it seemed more messy than a Waffle House waitress.  It has to be her worst performance so far.  Grade: F

David Archuleta - “You’re The Voice” - What the heck kind of song selection was this?  I think I heard this at church this past Easter Sunday and I was very impressed with the man from the choir who sang it as a solo….but on ‘Idol’?  Everybody knows Archy is talented and 6-years-old but I thought this was rather bland/bad.  Grade: C+

Kristy Lee Cook - “God Bless The USA” - I saw this song on the prelim list and I have dreaded hearing it since that point since I really like Kristy Lee’s legs.  I am currently on vacation at Stone Mountain in Georgia and Lee Greenwood is actually scheduled to perform here on Memorial Day.  Lee should be on the only human being on earth licensed to sing this song.  But you know she did a pretty good job with it.  The song is just a bit overplayed.  Grade: B+

David Cook - “Billie Jean” (Chris Cornell arrangement) - Tonight was the very first time I have heard this version of the Michael Jackson classic “Billie Jean”.  Again I am just listening to the vocals on this and not watching the visual.  Cook does a really good job in the alternative/rocker niche.  Again, he is a good hair piece away from winning it all.  Grade A