As soon as Abi opened her mouth I forgot about all the contestants before her. That’s how amazing she is.

I actually love watching your Idol breakdown more than the actual show. I’m in my 70’s and know nothing about music. But, I know what sounds good to me. Thanks for doing this!

Dawson Slade was incredible. I was so confused why the judges didn’t love him instantly!!! My daughter and I knew you would get mad about it Clark!!!😂

I'm not a big country music fan and I loved Dawson! His voice fely very authentic and soothing. He's a country singer I'd be happy to see win!

100% agree with everything you said about Slade. He is extremely talented!

I’m sure Abi will show us many shades of her voice with incredible vulnerability, but I so want to hear her duet with Billie on ‘Lovely’ in the finale! She really is special 👏

Emmy got my attention from the start. What a song writer. Good singer

Abi Carter did it for me! Hope she’s next American Idol!

Abbie....Wow, I love her and that song always gets to me. Her look and singing is for real

Can you imagine if Idol was set in a different time period, and say, Joni Mitchell came on stage and was yelled at to "Sing louder!"

Hayley was on the Voice a couple years back when she was 14 and even then she was incredible, so excited to see her again

Ready to rumble. Who wants the smoke 👊🏻

I got the course, excellent! I sang on Sunday using only your course and there was a distinct difference. I am totally shocked. I would do so much to warm up and practice before, what you taught was all I needed. Thank you

What you explained about the singer conveying through their voice that they are going through whatever it is they are singing about explains why there is such a strong appeal and draw to certain artists over others. That makes perfect sense.

Abi Carter and Hailey Mia are my favorite vocalists so far! They both showed so many sides to their voice! Hailey Mia is such a monster vocalist and she’s only 16! The fact that she was 13 on The Voice and became a finalist is crazy! That throat is annointed! She has the whole package, but the emotion she also brings makes her my favorite! Whole package wise, it’s Hailey, Abi, and Jack for me right now! Okay wow, I literally want Dawson to sing the soundtrack of my life. He is an incredible musician. He took his time and that rasp sent child up my spine. The guy has so much soul!

29:02 we just found out! Congratulations to Abi Carter! An amazing young woman with an amazing voice!

Emmy killed me. And when she was crying her name oh God I just wanted to lift her up so bad. Also Ziggy actually broke me a little bit. So many people in pain. I hope this helps him I wanted to just cradle KB's Dad and tell him he is such a good Dad and thank him for loving his daughter the way that he does. She is so talented but I just hope that the stress of the audition process isn't too hard on her.

This entire night gave us killer talented singers. Abi brought me to tears. I mean!!! Hayley was fantastic! Just allot of great singers

i agree with the Justine reaction, you’re not alone! My favorites so far are Abi and Noah for sure !

Roman was insane!! Instant favorite for me 👏

Justice just gave music

II loved Dawson! I liked that he didn't feel he had to put rifts on or rush his performance... he was confident and took his time and had lovely tone. I felt like they left him less confident than he was!

I miss the live stream! I have to figure out getting on there this week! As always Clark, you are reading my mind. I agree on Dawson AND on Justice..100%. I wish I was in the live so I could’ve fought with ya!!! Hope to see you all live soon!

Firstly I wanna say, sorry for missing the premiere live. Secondly, I thought Dawson’s guitar playing was impeccable, his singing was fantastic, there were a couple times when his voice was a little bit off for me but his second song I loved so much!!!

I love kayko he’s from Ft. Lauderdale which is only 10 minutes drive from my house not to mention he is a authentic artist

Loved loved loved Katie. Very versatile. She knows what she is doing

I had the exact same reaction to Justice! Felt like she was connecting more to Fantasia than the song itself.

Sooo right spot on with Dawson Slade no need for fighting or blood from me😂. Love watching, enjoy your breakdown video, nice to have some special talent well deserved, you having their backs and true feedback for them. And i just want to say how i think you as an artist are incredible! Your voice is phenomenal unique, what a beautiful special gift you have, I Love it! Hope your heart is happy, take care♥️🌻🦋

Kb was just so emotive it been a while since I’ve heard a voice like that, she’s like the only person I actually believed. She’s actually probably the best I’ve ever heard in making you believe what she says. Kinda like yebba

I LOVED HIM!!!!!

Thanks Clark...as always...Good Stuff

I agree with you about Katie 'KB'. I've watched her and her dad in his car for years. I'm from Utah so I've supported her and her dad. I'm with you...I want to see her win for her and her dad. Her dad has been such a supportive father and made her a star. Y'all need to watch their driving/singing videos. They have years of videos.

You really add a lot of value to the show for me every season. I am joining this week

Just gave you a like thanks for recapping Idol love your recaps.

Abi, Hailey, Nya, KB, Roman, Sam, Ziggy, Justice, and Emmy were my favorites of the night. Lots of great talent last night.

You're not alone. I also fell in love with Dawson at that first strum.

Thanks Clark, I really enjoy your reviews. You are honest, measured and professional. The assessments are spot on. I don't see American Idol in Australia any more, so I have to catch up on KZfaq.

Thank you for all your hard work making these videos; the best part of my Monday for sure waiting for your critique and perspective. That said, there are some great contestants on the bus so far; Abi however is driving that bus! Whoa, she is on a different journey musically. Just gross piano playing I thought , as you would say, and her choices vocally; vulnerably putting it all out there. She is a certified killer. Be well, sincere thanks again.

I cried so much last night my eyes were burning all day today.

I loved Dawson, too, Clark. And Abi stole my heart. I've played her audition a million times already :)

I totally agree with you about Dawson! I was so drawn in by his voice and guitar playing was perfect. I had an unexpected emotional reaction.

Its not often a Dawson Slade comes along. There's something about him that goes beyond just talent & looks. He is truly something special which goes beyond a music genre. I will be following him for sure.

Abi my gosh, perfect song choice. 😳✨

Love listening to you man, you give great feedback!:)

Love Roman's genre....I think he will go far. Lots of potential

I loved Dawson Slade. I agree I could listen to him all day.

Maybe I'm weird, but I could listen to him (Dawson) all day. His voice was so soothing and beautiful. To me, he was just a natural and didn't need to try to show off with all the tricks.

I agree that the country singer guy was amazing. Something magnetic about him. You’re right on with him!

as soon as dawson started playing I said he had the potential to win because of the history with voters liking the country singers. that guitar sounded really good

Dawson was LOVELY! i wanted him to sing & play guitar forever 🥹

I loved Dawson!!! I’m with you!

Watching from the Philippines :)

dam dean of music,you go boi

I am with you on Dawson!!! 100%

I loved Sam

I was yelling at my screen at the judges during Dawson’s audition, because he had me hooked the second he started. I would’ve backed you up Clark 🙏

I love you too I love Slade he was so real just a fabulous comfortable

Dawson Slate was great! I don’t even like country much, but he was great from the first note.

I loved Dawson as well!!!! Not boring! I agree, plus he has room to improve. Emmy is one to watch, liked her too. Justice was flat for me even though her voice was nice. Katie was awesome her voice has layers of beautiful tones and hope she goes far. We shall see how far the next two go, they didn’t hit my buttons. Aby is one to watch she’s special, loved her she deserved the platinum ticket. Looking forward to the new seasons talent. Good start. Great show!!

Oh yes, I was very shocked that you commented on my comment thank you so much, thank you Clark for making me feel you are listening. means a lot.

Abi was AMAZING

Gosh, I thought I'd be able to add to the conversation here, but, man, you've just voiced practically everything I felt and thought about every singer, to the point I was laughing at the end, especially when you said about Abi "she showed what we thought was special about the singers, none of that was special, special... the difference between diamond and gold"! Well, that wrapped up the package of aligned vision so perfectly, it just cracked me up! I agree with everything 100% and you phrased our points beautifully! That was surreal 🤯😂😂!

I loved Dawson as well!

Emmy Russell is going to come on strong. Her mother looks just like Loretta Lynn.

Dawson, abi and kb were my top faves for the night.

Completely agree on both Dawson and Justice.

I love Dawson!!

Roman was AWESOME!!

Dawson Blade will really surprise everyone because he’s gonna shine brighter and brighter!!! I think he could win it and definitely top 10.

Really like Noah's voice...very rich....he will go on

Thank you mr. Beckham for your voice breakdown , it helps to us to understand what the judges are listening for even if it to our ears it all sounds good .

Abi has been my favorite so far

Loved Dawson. You were right they were wrong

Totally agree with you about Dawson Slade great guitar player and singer...Abi Carter singing and on the piano was amazing.. I think they are both top 10 in my opinion

I loved Dawson

Dawson Slade was so good 🙌

Loved Dawson Slade😎

I wrote a longer response on the live feed this morning ... about Dawson ... but had I been live with you, I would have had your back. I think Dawson will be a frontrunner .....

I loved it immediately! He had depth and richness, and maybe it was because of that particular song, but I heard a sweetness in the delivery of the lyrics. Just my opinion…

I will be sad if Abi Carter does not win. She is the best singer on the show in a LONG time. And we have had some amazing singers.

I really enjoyed Justice!

Spot on on your reactions, Justice was a scale runner nothing for me, Pageant singer. Felt nothing.

I agree with you about Dawson Slade

I keep thinking Roman needs to sing in the church that we're he will shine be happier🎉

Agree with you on Nya.

Agree with you regarding Roman. And I hope he reads this. He had to show adeptness in managing varying genres. Fantasia, obviously figured it out. So he needs to manage this audience.

Oh Ziggy brought me to tears. People will like him. Voice was mostly great some iffy spots

I think Dawson is. Spectacular. I absolutely love him, entirely. I could not believe that the judges did not hear what I was hearing. I was not keen on Nya at all and couldn’t hear that she was that great. Bailey is my favourite so far.

I totally agree with you about Clark!This is not a carnival show . You are correct but you are looking for a real artist and he was. !1

I wasn't getting the country singer who did Wind Beneath My Wings - and I love country music too! I just think something was missing, but I hope he proves some of us wrong!

I was not on for the live. Had I been in there, I would have been with you on the Dawson debate. Thought they totally missed it. Luke saved the day eventually.

Hailey Mia, Abi and KB were hands down my top 3 of the night! Each one of them brought their own flare to their respective songs and killed it! Also really enjoyed Sam, Emmy and Justice

I liked him a lot I was very surprised at the Judges' remarks, mainly Katy's. Slade I mean.

Welcome to Canada! I’m now contemplating getting another degree lol

i remember watching KB years ago on her dad's channel. shes def top 5. her little sister is also a great singer, maybe she'll audition at some point.

Great commentary :) I personally especially loved Abi and Nya (especially Abi because she felt so connected to the song and she seemed extremely musical, but I also really loved Nyas voice), but I also really liked Noah (I'm not really into country at all, but I found his voice so comfortable to listen to that it didn't matter), Emmy (I felt so sorry for her when the judges was so much "speak up", because yes she seemed a bit timid, but that should be okay too and not all singers are about the power, she seemed more like a storyteller and she was really good at that) and Kayko (admittedly some of it may have been that I found him really cute and charming, but he seemed like a really good musician/songwriter also and I don't think he'll necessarily last that long in the contest, but to him it seemed like that didn't matter, he just seemed thankful for getting to share his music (which I felt like checking out no matter what happens)). I also didn't connect to Justice, to me she felt over-the-top and I felt a lack of knowledge of musical history (in she crediting the song to Fantasia and not to Porgy & Bess), that may be a little of the explanation why you also didn't connect to her, because I feel like the best singers really know the song they sing and connect so much to the story the song tell and it seemed like to her it was just a big powerful Fantasia-song. She can obviously sing though, so I'm interested to see what she does next.

I'm with you on Justics. It felt like she was doing a rehearsed hula dance as she sang. It was the opposite of an emotional rendition. I also agree about Dawson being great and that the judges were painful on that one. Abby lacked breath, no phrases ended well.

Abi Carter my #1. Felt like I was at her concert rather than an audition.

Clark, I totally agree with you about Dawson. He is spectacular! My 2 fave of the night were Hailey and Abi. However for me Hailey is the best I have seen so far.

You agree with me