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'American Idol's' Casey Abrams talks elimination, growling and the beard
Casey Abrams, "American Idol's" resident growlin', bass-playin' crooner, was sent home on the Apr. 28 results show. In an exit interview with the press, Casey talked about what the show has done for his confidence, his signature growl and what songs he would have covered in the Top 5. Plus, he answers the really tough questions, like who's the better kisser: Jennifer Lopez or Steven Tyler?
If he expected to go this far in the competition after the judges used their save on him (Top 11 Week):
"I knew I had to work hard. I was like, 'This would be kind of embarrassing if I just got cut the next week,' so I really tried to work hard. I didn't really expect to make it to the top. I expected to maybe make it this far. This is exactly what I expected. I can't be mad at that."
What the show has done for his confidence:
It's done everything. It's done every single thing. I used to not like to sing in public and now I feel like I'm singing a little bit too much because I'll sing in hallways with random people I don't even know. Maybe it's a bad thing, but I just feel a lot more comfortable on stage and I feel like I can do anything on stage now."
On bringing a new style of music and sound to the "Idol" stage:
"I couldn't feel any less than amazing because I just feel that I've done something pretty cool in this competition. But then the thing is so is everyone else from the Top 13, like look at Paul [McDonald] bringing all this folk-y and Jacob [Lusk] bringing all this gospel stuff. I think we're all doing our part to make 'American Idol' a little bit more different than last year and years before, vary the genre."
On his signature growling:
"It is kind of how I sing when I don't think about it and I think that's a good place to be when you don't think about how you sing. I think maybe the Maroon 5 song needed it and maybe the "Hi-De-Ho" song needed it. Maybe I gave it too much, but it's a gray area, it's hard to define what's a good growl and what's a bad growl."
If he's nervous that being on 'American Idol' will hurt him later on in his career:
"I've always worried about that, but my goal is to bring that kind of music into the popular culture. I don't think serious musicians have to take me as a serious musician, I just want to get them better known. I want to be the middle man, like, 'I want you guys to be heard by a popular crowd.'"
What instruments he plays:
"The guitar, I've actually played on the show, the piano, the melodica. Those are all ones I've played on the show, but then I also play the drums, the sitar, the accordion, the clarinet. I took lessons for about a month on the sitar, but everything else is just kind of self-taught."
What songs he would have sang for next week's theme: Now and Then, one song from the '60s and one from today:
"I was thinking for the '60s, I was going to do "Eleanor Rigby" with an acoustic guitar and sit on stage. We weren't really sure what 'Now' meant, so I was maybe going to try "Smooth" by Santana or maybe a Blink 182 song just for fun."
If he thinks he'd look better without the beard:
"I've thought about it, but I don't think it would work. I think the beard makes the face. I feel like if I shave I just don't have a chin anymore."
Who's the better kisser -- Steven Tyler or Jennifer Lopez:
"Steven Tyler. Well, J.Lo just let me kiss her. Steven Tyler actually kissed me back. It's a different story."
"American Idol" airs Wednesday and Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
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Photo/Video credit: FOX
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What an awesome guy... The guy is just so talented. Even if you don't like his singing, there's just no denying he's got talent.
Good luck, Casey! You're better than this show anyways!
Casey, you're such a sweetie! I hope you do keep the beard! You looked better with it than the week or so when they made you trim it down. I'm happy you did last this long when honestly not many of your choices would make it up the Top 40 now days. Thanks to itunes, my library consists of songs from many years and styles. I've got a folder already started for you, so get busy and keep doing duets with Hayley! The two of you should be recording already!!!!
My number one favorite on this show!!!!!!!!! Amazing talent and so entertaining which are all qualities of a star. His performance was awesome on Wednesday and this is a sad day. I could think of a couple others who should have gone home who as talented but have hit their peak on this show. Casey is just getting started and is going to go further than even he dreams. As we well know, those that don't win this show have become even bigger stars than those that do.......
The MOST TALENTED contestant was eliminated because the voters don't understand what a real musician is. The music buying public has been force fed musical pablum for so long they don't know real music when it's presented to them.
Such a shame. I voted and voted and voted for you Casey....sorry it wasn't enough. I love that you said this..." don't think serious musicians have to take me as a serious musician, I just want to get them better known. I want to be the middle man, like, 'I want you guys to be heard by a popular crowd."
PURE CLASS MY MAN.....and I do hope you can make SOME people get to know and appreciated your type of music. JAZZ IS WHERE IT'S AT!!!!
GONNA MISS YOU!!!!
Casey definitely is the man. He is the ONLY reason I watched Idol this season. From his audition to Hi De Ho; every performance was such a thrill because you never knew what was coming.
It was very obvious, at least to me, that Casey is such an incredible bundle of raw talent, who eats, breathes and loves music. That is what drives him; that is who he is.
I am going to miss him - I really looked forward to his performances every week. I can't bring myself to watch the rest of Idol, though I may watch the finale just to see him.
I really feel for kasey I thowt he had REALL talent!! Which he does this is all a silly mistake:( I also feel. Bad for hayley it seems like they are in love:) hey make an adorable couple hopefully their love can stay strong!:)
I have had jaw droppers from the results show top 6. Casey has been strategically removed I feel, eventhough knowing that all voting is open to whatever will be will be. Dude I hope that you grasp the golden ring that has been placed before you. I hope that the blues stringers grab ahold of you, for a hug and firm handshake. As Randy would say "Dog you brought it. Casey is in the dog pound." You have stirred up an even stronger desire in me to keep learning how to play my accoustic and electric Fenders. In my opinion The American Idol has already been removed from the show. Now they are just looking for the winner of a contest. God Bless you Casey, and keep on growlin.
Casey, I am not and have never been a lover of "Jazz" however, I am a lover of Casey Abrams. I loved your performances and your wonderful personality. I wish you all the best in the pursuit of your musical career.
I missed the elimination and was sad he is to go. He is the only reason I watched American Idol. I grew to like a few of the other contestants, but he is definitely not bubble gum pop rock. Casey actually has a long future in the business if he plays his card right. I can't wait for his first album and am excited to see which way he goes with it. I hope he stays witht the bluesy type apposed to the Nirvanna type, but what eer he does, I am just really excited and disappointed at the same time.
Cassey is a Entertainer...but definitely NOT an American Idol