American Idol Season 6 Episode 7 Week 3A: Birmingham Auditions

Week 3A of American Idol Season 6 takes us to Birmingham, Alabama where a new batch of hopeful singers audition for their chance at stardom. The episode begins with a montage of bad auditions, showcasing a few incredibly terrible singers and some hilarious reactions from the judges. But the tone quickly changes as we meet some truly talented performers.

The first standout of the episode is a young woman named Melinda Doolittle. She tells the judges she's been singing backup for various artists for years and is ready to step into the spotlight. She sings "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder and blows the judges away with her powerful voice and infectious energy. Simon Cowell tells her it's one of the best auditions they've had so far and she sails through to Hollywood.

Next up is a duo called Ashlyn Carr and Samantha Musa. They're best friends who sing together and have a unique sound. They perform "Respect" by Aretha Franklin and the judges are impressed with their harmonies and individual voices. Simon tells them they're both talented but suggests they split up and audition separately. They both make it through to Hollywood, but it remains to be seen if they'll heed Simon's advice.

Another standout performer is Chris Sligh, a goofy-looking guy with a big personality. He tells the judges he's a worship leader and sings "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal. His performance is surprisingly good, with a smooth voice and excellent control. The judges are impressed and he earns his ticket to Hollywood.

Then there's Jonathan Baines, a somewhat awkward guy with a big voice. He sings "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, and despite some shaky moments, manages to impress the judges with his range and charisma. They send him through to Hollywood but warn him that he needs to work on his confidence.

A few other notable auditions include Brandon Green, who sings a unique version of "Amazing Grace" that catches the judges' attention, and Rachel Jenkins, who has a sweet voice but lacks the power and stage presence of some of the other contestants.

Overall, Birmingham proves to be a productive city for talent, with many promising singers earning their way to Hollywood. But as we've seen in previous seasons of American Idol, anything can happen once they get there.