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Tonight’s the night Pickler learns about ‘Sweet 16’ (thesnaponline.com)
Thursday, March 2, 2006
By Jim Lisk, Staff Writer
“If America doesn’t already love you, they’re going to soon” was Simon Cowell’s final remark following Kellie Pickler’s best performance to date on American Idol Tuesday night.
It was not just Cowell’s good words, but Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were all smiles as well following Pickler’s hair-in-the-face performance of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something To Talk About.”
Speaking to the Idol male contestants, jiving side stage in the so-called “Dog Pound,” Jackson enthusiastically said, “we got us a hot one tonight.”
While Pickler’s performance did heat up the stage, the phone lines from Stanly County were scorching as locals called in to vote for our girl.
Oakboro’s Jane Furr, a self-described Idol fanatic, was able to get through and cast more than 100 votes for the hometown favorite.
“We had three cell phones going at one time,” said Furr, who has been a big Idol fan all five seasons.
“I thought Kellie really did well tonight, but I’ve seen good singers leave before. We’ve got to be sure and vote.”
Pickler confidente Summer Miller spoke with the singer after the show aired and found an excited Pickler on the other end of the phone.
“She wanted to know how she did,” Miller said. “When we told her we thought she was the best one on the show Kellie was thrilled.”
Tonight, American Idol will air live from 8-9 p.m., and as with last week, the two lowest male and female vote getters will be sent home, leaving just 16 remaining contestants.
If all goes as expected tonight and Pickler advances to the Final 16, the four gateways to Albemarle will be adorned with banners proclaiming the city’s support for its American Idol.
Albemarle city council member Holcomb and her husband, Dave, cast 386 votes Tuesday night after a count of 191 the week before.
“I’m just so proud of Kellie, I can’t stand it,” said Holcomb Wednesday morning as she worked the phones for upcoming Pickler events.
Saturday at noon a flyover will take place at the Albemarle Stanly County Airport to honor Pickler, Holcomb said.
All Pickler fans asked to wear white T-shirts and bring placards to cheer her on.
Holcomb said a picture will be shot from the airport and sent to American Idol.
Plans are also being finalized for a huge Kellie Party at J.D. Shuckers Tuesday night.
Camera crews from Access Hollywood, Extra, and TV stations from across the state will be there to film Stanly County rooting for our American Idol.
Two of Pickler’s staunchest supporters - Carolyn Holt and Miller - will be at J.D. Shuckers only on their TV screens.
The mother-and-daughter team fly to Hollywood Monday and will be in the Idol audience cheering for Pickler as she goes for the Final 12.
Idol activity
Noon Saturday flyover at the county airport.
Access Hollywood, Extra and other media at J.D. Shuckers Tuesday at 8 p.m.
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