We’re down to the Top 6 performers for American Idol Season 6. Tonight the theme is going to be of compassion and charity due to this week being the big Idol Gives Back charity event, which is pretty cool. Every time you call in and vote tonight companies will donate additional money to this cause, so keep voting tonight. I expect we’re going to see some incredibly high voting turn out and lots of busy, busy lines. Luckily there will be 2 numbers for each contestant though, so if one doesn’t work, give the other a try, of course, and double lucky, they are running the lines twice as long tonight. Since tomorrow night’s results show will be a mighty series of guest performers and celebrities there will be lots to see in its full 2 hours (8-10pm EST). Last week we saw Sanjaya Malakar go home, deserving, but still surprising. Let’s see if Phil Stacey can keep himself out of the bottom three again this week, but with LaKisha Jones and Blake Lewis undoubtedly hot to not be there again this week the competition should be tough.

Chris Richardson: “Change the World”
I’m a big, big Eric Clapton fan, so I’m gonna be tough on Chris no matter how well he does with this. Overall, not too bad, but I did not like how he ended the song with carrying the finish out too long and going too high.
Randy: “Tonight… You in it to win it. That was great.”
Paula: “You did fantastic. Great song choice… I’m really proud of you.”
Simon: “Sexy performance. I think you did very well.”
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-01 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-07 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5701

Melinda Doolittle: “There Will Come a Day”
Amazingly great performance. She also had her much more youthful look going on tonight. I’m standing strong behind Melinda Doolittle winning this year.
Randy: “You’re our resident pro… Every performance is great… You have arrived.”
Paula: “Melinda, there’s no one like you… You’re magical.”
Simon: “What I loved was that wasn’t a copycat performance… Second half of the song was incredible… That really was a vocal masterclass.”
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-02 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-08 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5702

Blake Lewis: “Imagine”
Taking on John Lennon is brave, but he might be able to pull it off. Well, it didn’t work for me, but I don’t care too much for Blake anyways, so that might just be it.
Randy: “Great choice… On the performance side it was just alright for me.”
Paula: “First real sensitive, emotional song I’ve seen… Goes a long way for me. I enjoyed it.”
Simon: “This is a tricky one… There’s always going to be a comparison to it… Felt sincere… It didn’t go anywhere… Most important fact is that you sang it with sincerity.”
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-03 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-09 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5703

LaKisha Jones: “I Believe”
Here we go again with LaKisha picking a song performed by a previous American Idol winner. Hopefully this week goes better than the last one. Okay, this was much better and was like the LaKisha we’re used to.
Randy: “Wasn’t your best, but I did like it… Very hard song to sing after Fantasia.”
Paula: “You’re a powerhouse of vocalist… I have a hard time getting past Fantasia… That doesn’t take away from your vocals.”
Simon: “Look, it was very emotional… I’m having an issue with the shouting…
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-04 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-10 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5704

Phil Stacey: “The Change”
Phil chose a good song to show off his range of vocals. There’s a lot more going on in this song than the performances by the other men. It’s a good, emotional performance by Phil. He still looks like Nosferatu though.
Randy: “You’re back again this week with another strong performance… 2 in a row baby.”
Paula: “This was fantastic. This was your best.”
Simon: “I really like you… You’ve come back with a spring in your step… Good choice of song… I think people like you.”
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-05 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-11 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5705

Jordin Sparks: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Fantastic performance again by Jordin. Lots of power and emotion in her delivery of this song. She’s definitely a strong, strong contender in this race.
Randy: “You know something… That’s one of the best vocals on this show, ever… That was the hotest tonight.”
Paula: “You sure picked an amazing song to close the night… You did a lovely job. You’re glorious.”
Simon: “I thought you were fantastic… I think you’d have a hit record with that.”
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-06 <- Primary Number
Vote#: 1-866-IDOLS-12 <- Secondary Number
Text: “VOTE” to 5706

Remember, the phone lines will be open for 4 hours tonight instead of just 2 and you can use both the primary and secondary numbers for each contestant. Come back tomorrow when I’ll share my vote-off predictions and follow that with a Results Show recap.

Update: You can now view and discuss my vote-off predictions for tonight’s show.

Check out the rest of our American Idol coverage.

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