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IDOL WATCH: The Top 12 Guys Hit the Stage!

IDOL-WATCH-The-Top-12-Guys-Hit-the-Stage-20010101

Tonight on AMERICAN IDOL, the top 12 guys sang for your votes. The episode left us with many questions: Who'll make it through to the next round? What was the big surprise scheduled for the end of the show? Where's Simon Cowell when you need him? Find out now!

Kicking things off is Reed Grimm. He promises to get the crowd into a frenzy with Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," but his jazzy rendition - though an interesting take and well-sung - fails to really take off. The judges, with their aversion to criticism, all tell him that it was a great way to start off the show.

Adam Brock's goal for the night is to get the audience on their feet with Aretha Franklin's "Think." It's a fun pick, and the fact that most of the audience nearest the stage is standing room only notwithstanding, he achieves his goal along with the praise of the judges. "That was brilliant," Steven Tyler tells him.

Deandre Brackensick tackles Earth, Wind & Fire's "Reasons." It's a consistent performance - but also consistently sharp, unfortunately. It's not that worst performance that IDOL has ever seen at this point in the competition, but it's middling (though the judges are once again effusive and Jennifer even calls Deandre's voice "perfect").

Colton Dixon, who tried out with his sister Schylar, sings Paramore's "Decode." He goes all out, jumping on top of the piano for a rocker performance - complete with a dramatic pose at the end - and his style garners kudos from the judges. Both Jennifer and Steven use the same phrase to describe Colton: "A relevant artist."

Colton Dixon; more pictures from tonight's episode can be viewed on page 2.

Next up is Jeremy Rosado, performing Sara Bareilles' "Gravity." It's pitchy, but heartfelt. The judges, who at this point still have yet to say a single negative word about any of the performances, are enthusiastic with Steven adding "For [the feeling in the performance] alone, you should be America's idol."

Aaron Marcellus takes on The Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye." He's a strong vocalist, earning a standing ovation from the judges, and raves to match. "Your voice is beautiful," Randy tells him.

Chase Likens is described as this year's resident country crooner, and he'll be singing Hunter Hayes' "Storm Warning." It's an appropriate, if safe, choice that fits his voice well. "You're a good looking guy, like me and Steven, but you've got skills, too," Randy says.

The next contestant to hit the stage is Creighton Fraker. "I've always been me," he says, and brings that same attitude to his performance of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors." It's probably the strongest of the night up until this point, and Steven tells him, "You took that song and put it over the top. You did real good today."

Phillip Phillips (real name) performs "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. His sleepy rendition transforms the song almost beyond recognition, but showcases his voice well. "There is no doubt

Reed Grimm; more pictures from tonight's episode can be viewed on page 2.

that you're one of the most special talents that we've found on the road," J-Lo says.

Eben Franckewitz is just 15, but will sing Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain." Adele is one of the more powerful vocalists on the radio today and it's a tough act to follow; Eben can't really match that conviction. The judges continue their habit of not actually critiquing anyone by telling him vaguely that he "pulled it together" toward the end.

Heejun Han hits the stage next. With Robbie Williams' "Angel," he puts together one of the more polished performances of the night. "People don't know how good you are, but they're going to find out," Steven says.

Next up is Joshua Ledet. He performs a song from a past IDOL contestant: Jennifer Hudson's "You Pulled Me Through." "This is what singing is all about," Randy enthuses.

The show's not over yet, though - a wildcard pick has yet to be revealed, and it's Jermaine Jones, dubbed "the gentle giant" by host Ryan Seacrest. He chooses Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father," a choice that showcases his low range. It earns the second standing ovation of the night, with Jennifer adding: "You have such a special voice and such a special spirit."

Lines are open now - and will be open until 12am, so get in your votes in for your favorites now and tune in tomorrow to find out how the girls perform when it's their turn on the stage!

Photos by Michael Becker / FOX