Red plaid, cowboy hats rule at Idol semifinals

The audience was in the Halloween spirit Thursday night, as evidenced by all the boo-ing going on.

The judges were boo-ed several times for their critiques of the 12 semifinalists, who performed Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson songs during the second round of Heartland Idol semi-finals.

One of the biggest crowds of the season, between 400 and 450 audience members, did not agree with judges Vickie Jones and Larry Moore that contestant Cam Martin looked somewhat bored during his performance of Willie Nelson's popular song "On the Road Again."

Martin, wearing one of about seven red plaid shirts and cowboy hats of the evening, explained that he was trying to display Nelson's characteristic mellowness. He delivered a big "Yee hah" during the musical interlude and looked comfortable onstage with his guitar prop and foot tapping.

Martin qualified for the next round of semifinals.

Eight more contestants made it to the next level of competition, leaving three behind.

The other qualifiers were Donnie Shaffer, People's choice winner Lindsey Sears, Amanda Mercer, Shannon Marrero, Chasity Kincaid, Ashley Elder, Manny Concepcion, and Samantha Berry.

Pamela Tharp, Mark Brignoni and Kevin Milan did not move on. More boos ensued after Brignoni's performance, when Moore said he flat out didn't like it. Jones disagreed.

A little humor

Concepcion took the costume category to a new level, coming onstage in a Halloween costume of an inflatable bull with Concepcion as the rider. The goofy look went well with his song choice, "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," and guest judge Martile Blackman loved it.

Other highlights included Marrero's performance. She wore an authentic Dolly wig and brought a stool and patchwork coat up for her song, "Coat of Many Colors."

Marrero looked effortless as she sang the story of a poor girl whose mother sewed her a patchwork coat that made her feel rich.

"I'm a huge fan. You look stunning," said judge Stacy Clark.

"Very good storytelling," added Moore. "It was not too much. I liked it."

Shaffer was in his element during the country-themed semifinal. With his red plaid shirt, and red guitar, he punctuated his performance of "Whiskey River" with a kick and an air guitar solo. A crackly microphone wasn't enough to dull the effect on the judges.

"I thought you did a great job," said Blackman. "Your costume was good. Your stage presence was good."

"I want to go down the whiskey river with you," added Clark.

Hitting the notes

As the contest winded down, the audience got a chance to hear the vocal strength of the top performers, and the contestants got a chance to work out their nerves.

Eighteen-year-old Chasity Kincaid delivered a powerful performance of "Baby I'm Burning," looking relaxed onstage and delivering a long note that made the audience go wild.

"Wow! You came prepared, you picked a great song, everybody back here was jumping and clapping. I think it was the best performance of the night for me," said judge Mike Henry.

Jones and Moore agreed. "I think that that was just incredible. I really do! You're really here to win this thing!" added Moore.

Lindsey Sears displayed a strong voice and a good country twang. She had a friend play the song title character "Jolene" in the audience, so she had a focal point to sing to.

"I think this was the perfect song choice for you," said Henry. "As you got more into the song, you kind of shook off those nerves we talked about last week. I still think you're holding out a little bit."

Blackman thought she sounded better than Parton herself.

Mercer started the popular song "9 to 5" in "bed" with a shower cap on. Like several contestants she came offstage and sang to the crowd, "Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'. Barely getting' by, it's all takin' and no givin'."

Jones said, "Vocally, you were right on there," mentioning that Mercer messed up the words a bit, but her stage presence was great.

"I'm a big fan of yours from Highlands Little Theatre," added Clark. "I thought that you sounded great. I loved your little dance. Good job."

It was also a big giveaway night for Heartland Idol with the breast cancer basket winner announced, including a digital mammogram donated by the Florida Hospital. The 50/50 also topped $500, with the winner taking home $250.50.

Next Thursday's semifinal will feature the last nine semifinalists singing show tunes from musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber. On this date, Nov. 4, the Senior Idol competition will also be held. Adults ages 50 and older can perform for free and showcase their talent for prizes.