Do any of you watch American Idol besides me?
There is one American Idol finalist who has the diagnoses of both Asperger and Tourette syndromes and he reminds me of Ben. (I'm NOT making a diagnosis. He his tiny simple ears, puffy skin and his hair is kind of unique. Ben has a different diagnosis.) The contestant's name is James Durbin and he has a really good chance of winning. He's married, has a son and seems to be a really committed husband and good daddy. His mom says he has always loved to perform which is really typical of kids like Ben! In an interview he was explaining how he has to really prepare himself for the crowd and how to manage his excitement. He sings rock, but he's such a gifted performer, it makes people just love him. I'm really excited for him, not just because he is a person with disabilities who is really doing well, but in addition he is truly really talented and such a good guy! If you want to tune in the show is on Wednesday at 7:00. It would be neat if he got more votes........Tell me I'm not crazy, please!
Jan
59631
Scotty and Lauren are my favorites but I do like James too.
When they were down to the final 13 I thought it would be nice if Lauren and Scotty were the last 2 so they could sing a duet. But then the show surprised me and allowed duets earlier in the competition and Scotty and Lauren have sung 2! That made me very happy.
BTW my 16 year old daughter says she has dibs on marrying Scotty.
You're not crazy. James is very talented.
463425Wow what a voice i wish he would/could sing something christian!!
1 comment
by hightechgrammy
17 Apr 2011
I do too. I'm not in to Heavy Metal at all. Just love the guy. Scotty is the Christian. I'm guessing Scotty will be 2nd or 3rd. All that are left will be winners with contracts of some sort. Top 13 will be going on tour this summer. Scotty has presented himself very well, good witness. But, James hasn't done anything bad. He's overcoming incredible challenges! I want him to sing something tender.
360671Last night James sang Heavy Metal - definitely NOT my kind of music! But, that darn kid did such a good job and was so charming, I actually liked his performance. He is very versatile. I wish now he would follow it all up with some kind of love song.
I'm thinking it is all going to end up with the genre of music, not so much the artist, winning. They are all so good! Ben just kept giggling with Scotty singing. He just loves Scotty, but when it came time to vote he said vote for James. We voted for both, of course. And Jacob and Casey too.
59631You need to hear James Durbin sing the Star Spangled Banner - oh my
www.youtube.com
59631Thank you for posting the YouTube video. What a wonderful young man, singing one of my favourite Beatle songs. I hope he does really well for you all in USA. Hope Ben is fine.
1 comment
by hightechgrammy
13 Apr 2011
Thanks! Actually Ben choked on a cookie yesterday. YOu know how we say someone ate so fast they "Inhaled" it, well he practically did. I had to really work with him to get him to cough it all out, but I was really close to calling 911. The heimlich wouldn't work because it was all loose in there. Praise the Lord - again on choking. That makes about a dozen rough ones. Thanks for asking.
255054I watch...and I think James is going to win too! They do have lots of talented people this year.
1 comment
by hightechgrammy
13 Apr 2011
Who do you think the final 3 will be? Ben really likes Scotty, and I do too. If it is Scotty and James at the end, I won't know how to vote - LOL. What do you think of Jacob? I think all of the ones who are left are better than last year's group. It's just such a fun show.
20582My sister hooked me up with American Idol a few years back during one of my vists to see her in Atlanta. I too watch it and I even program the TV so I do not miss it. I too was a Pia fan, and I was sad until I heard on the news that she has been offered or given a contract with the group who manages Lady GAGA, and a few other high profile performers. So she is off to a great start and she can SING!....for sure! I will be thinking of you Idol watchers tomorrow when it is on....and.... I am usually on here, my laptop, when I am "on there"....either looking for designs or doing my Bible Study lesson! Thanks to God for the multitasking gene!
19452This is what James did last week the Beatles song While my Guitar Gently Weeps. I'm not really a Rock person, and actually Scotty is my favorite because I like him, the best as far as his sweet personality and country music is more my kind. But, there is definitely something very special about James. He sings with such deep down emotion and I know what a struggle that is for individuals with Asperger syndrome, and to also have Tourette syndrome is just way amazing. Tourette's is much more than just shouting out bad words, and doesn't always involve that. So, for him to be able to demonstrate his talent in spite of his challenges is truly unbelievable. All this in such stressful competition with other super talented people just puts it up into the astounding range of unbelievable. You should hear the chatter on the autism spectrum disability groups! James has parents of children with Asperger and Tourette syndromes filled with Hope!
www.youtube.com[2] Tourette Syndrome NIH
www.ninds.nih.gov
59631I had to find out - something about James Durbin:
www.youtube.com[2] Final Round
www.youtube.com[3] You Got Another Thing Comin
www.youtube.com
211079I have never watched the show - however - alot around here do. Thanks for the info on James Durbin, too.
1 comment
by hightechgrammy
12 Apr 2011
It really is great entertainment and the contestants that are left are all really good. Ben loves Scotty, the Country singer, who is just 17 and so sweet. It's fun to get behind a singer or two and vote. Thursdays show is really fun and then they announce the ones who go on to the next week. Only about 7 weeks left I think. Nothing really bad about the show and lots good.
211079Our family watch it sometimes and we each have our favorite singer. A couple years back our daughter worked with a guy who was best friends with one of the singers (Matt Giraud from Michigan) so he was our favorite until he got voted off. She did get to met him when he was in Orlando and said he was a real nice guy but the two friends together were quite the jokesters.
5 comments
by hightechgrammy
12 Apr 2011
I remember Matt. He was in it till really near the end. Isn't it a neat show?! That's great your daughter got to meet him :-). Who are your favorites this year?
by capoodle
12 Apr 2011
The girl that just got voted off (Pia) was my DH's favorite. I've not picked one favorite but there are a few I don't mind listening to. I do only listen as I feel how they look should not sway a person on their vocals. My best friend is blind with no light vision so she has taught me a lot about how to really listen.
by hightechgrammy
12 Apr 2011
PIa was amazing and it was really sad she didn't get the votes to stay on! I don't think she would have won, but I'm pretty sure she'll get a contract. What a voice!
by capoodle
13 Apr 2011
I wish the judges would choose the one leaving out of the final three. America voters doesn't always get it right and the young that vote in for their favorite are mostly girls voting for the boys.
by hightechgrammy
13 Apr 2011
That is soooo true. I also think people pick their favorites pretty early. Pia didn't start "romancing" the audience during her performance until later, and that may have been why she didn't get the votes. She is beautiful, sings incredible and I think people just took it for granted that she'd be in it till the end and just didn't vote for her as many times as they do the guys. Maybe men don't do all the repeat votes like girls and grandmas. What do you think?
89895
72397