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Idols Roll In To Tampa, Again
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Published: August 15, 2008
TAMPA - Here comes "American Idols Live," aka America's largest cover group.
Since the tour kicked off on July 1, the 10 finalists from the show's seventh season have been on the road, playing venues large and small, singing established songs that fit their various strengths and styles.
Like the previous six "Idols" tours, it's a mixed bag of talent and music, featuring songs that were performed during the run of Fox's hit singing competition.
Some fans will be coming to see the two Davids: winner David Cook, the seasoned, slightly scruffy but cute 25-year-old rocker; and runner-up David Archuleta, a precocious 17-year-old with puppy-dog eyes.
In the Tampa area, third-place finisher Syesha Mercado, the Booker High graduate from Sarasota, could be a draw. Thousands took to the streets when "American Idol" cameras followed her hometown visit in May.
Mercado's musical contribution includes a nod to Broadway with Beyonce's "Listen" from "Dreamgirls" and covers of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" and Rihanna's "Umbrella."
All the songs have meaning for her, says the 21-year-old who was getting ready to take the stage in Indianapolis when we caught up with her.
She identifies with Keys because "she sings from her heart and soul." And although she doesn't want to be labeled as just Broadway bound, it was Broadway rounds that allowed her to shine during the televised competition.
"I was in my element and my personality came through," she said in a telephone interview. "The judges said I was Broadway bound and that has stuck with people. I do want to do Broadway, but I also want a singing career, and films and acting, too."
By the time the tour bus rolls up to the St. Pete Times Forum on Thursday, they will have staged 39 performances. "It's a lot of work, a lot of wear and tear on the body," Mercado says. "But it's also a dream come true, and the hard work is part of the business, so I have to get used to it."
Life on the road consists of traveling across country by bus, staying up late on performance nights, lots of media interviews, meet-and-greets with the fans and the occasional day off. "I've had trouble sleeping because I'm pumped up after a performance," she says. "Sometimes I can sleep on the bus."
On this tour she has bonded with 20-year-old Ramiele Malubay, "Idol's" first Filipino-American finalist who once lived in Zephyrhills.
"We act goofy and have a lot of fun together," she says. "But the whole group is pretty cool and we all get along."
After graduating from Booker in 2005, Mercado studied theater briefly at Florida International University in Miami but left to pursue acting and singing. She says she hasn't been home since "Idol" ended.
But her parents have come to see some of her performances during the tour and she says she got a lot of support from her fiance, Miami-based actor-producer Hess Wesley, 25, also a former FIU student.
Mercado hasn't landed a recording deal yet but some of the other finalists have. "I am just taking one day at a time right now," she says.
The format of "Idols Live" has changed little over the years: The bottom eight finishers get three short songs apiece, the runner-up has four, and the winner sings abbreviated versions of five. And there are several group performances.
It's a multigenerational night, with every tour bringing out screaming tweens, teens and their parents and grandparents.
As the winner, Cook was awarded a contract with 19 Recordings/RCA Records and will have a rock-oriented album coming out in November. He has said it will be "both eclectic and cohesive and have something to say" and there will be "some interesting twists and turns."
On the tour he is singing "The Time of My Life," which he has to sing because it's written for the winner. He also performs Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."
Archuleta has signed with19 Recordings/Jive Records. The singer from Murray, Utah, is expected to release his debut album later this year. On the tour he sings "Stand by Me" and Josh Groban's "When You Say You Love Me."
Cook and Archuleta have been getting good reviews from the media along the way. Laid-back dreadlock boy Jason Castro has been a crowd-pleaser with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and Carly Smithson has been praised for her rendition of Heart's "Crazy on You."
Mercado has received mixed reviews. Some have praised her spirited style. Others have been less impressed. But that's the risk for singers who cover well-known artists. It's tough to be compared to Beyonce and Keys.
"I try to stay away from reviews," Mercado says. "There may be good ones but then one bad one will hurt your feelings. I'm just going out there and doing my best and I'm having a great time."
ON TOUR
American Idols Live
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: The Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
TICKETS: $39.50-$70; box office, (813) 301-2500; Ticketmaster, (813) 287-8844
Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com. Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com.
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