Texas' Hollie Cavanagh in Top Four on American Idol

As millions watch American Idol contenders get weeded out each week, it's looking more and more like Charlie Daniels was right when he sang The South's Gonna Do It Again.  With Hollie Cavanagh from Texas, Joshua Ledet from Louisiana, and Phillip Phillips from Georgia, there are 3 chances out of 4 for the winner to hail from the South. Of course we shouldn't take lightly that fourth contender from California.  Jessica Sanchez is a powerful performer.  

Although, in my opinion, Joshua is the best entertainer, I can't forget my roots and would be proud if Hollie, of McKinney Texas, won.
  She has been in the bottom three several times and seemed unable to shine at first, however, the last couple of shows, have seen her blossom.  She seemed more comfortable on stage and delivered some stronger performances.   America has responded by voting her into the top four, which is no small achievement.  Hollie has done Texas proud.

In the beginning, Skylar Laine was explosive but, week after week, all her songs began to have the same sound.  Those little spitfire performances that were so powerful at first got old.  And I'm afraid that may be the case with Phillip Phillips as well. 

Hollie has definitely improved in recent weeks but somehow there is still something missing, that something that the judges refer to as "opening up the heavens" or maybe it's stage presence, I don't know.  Jessica has a beautiful voice and no one can touch her on the ballads.  Those notes pour forth from her lips as easily as water from a fountain.  She can also do a pretty good job of rocking the stage when it's called for, but the rock doesn't come naturally for her like the ballads do.  It can sometimes look just a tiny bit forced.

As we get down to the wire, as much as I'd like to see Texas produce the winner this year,  I believe that Joshua Ledet truly deserves it.  He consistently delivers a top performance, always naturally, never too much, never too little, never forced.  No matter what the style or genre, Joshua connects with the song in a way that makes you sit up and hang on every word, every note, every time.