Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 26 > Entry
3/26: Melinda Doolittle at Kroger
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I stopped by Kroger off Chamblee Tucker Road to take some photos of Melinda Doolittle, promoting Slow Churned Edy’s Ice Cream. There was a steady line of people waiting to meet her while I was there. She never had one of those awkward lulls where nobody was around and she had to twiddle her thumbs.
The fan base was some parents with kids and an impressive number of older folks, a lot older than the fans who popped by a year ago to the Kroger near Ansley Mall for Ace Young. One guy even purchased her a lottery ticket ($113 million payoff). She pocketed it.
ABOVE: Melinda falls in love with sweet kid Othal Richardson, 2. ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: Rodney Ho
ABOVE: Melinda gets interviewed by WAGA-TV.
ABOVE: A Kroger employee dispenses the Edy’s Mint Karaoke Cookie mix Melinda prefers.
ABOVE: Adorable Sophie Jones, 8, of Sandy Springs, loved Melinda during the show last year and was thrilled to meet her in person. “Can I see her again?” she asked her mom a couple of minutes after leaving the autograph table.
ABOVE: This is my attempt to be artsy.
ABOVE: A friend of Melinda’s mom, Minnie Smith of Decatur, stops by. Minnie attended the same church as Melinda when Melinda lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She later went to a winner’s home in Decatur to serenade them. That probably would have been more interesting!
Anyway, here’s food for thought:
Daughtry did covers of covers a couple years ago but got flak for not giving credit at the time. (e.g. Live’s version of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line.”).
Now David Cook is doing the same thing— taking covers of covers. But he is making sure Ryan Seacrest gives the arrangers credit. Does that make it better? And are the judges too dense to realize he is doing a cover of a cover and then call him “brave” and “original”? Sure, his takes on “Hello” and “Billie Jean” were great but should he get any bonus points for “originality”?
As for whether any of us got any of the songs right this week, I listed 6 to 8 songs each for the 10 contestants and got exactly one right. I listed Brooke White as possibly singing “Every Breath You Take.” I skipped over Queen from Michael Johns partly because he had already sung a song from that group. And I left “Alone” out from Ramiele because it felt played out. Naturally, “Billie Jean” never entered my mind as a possibility for David Cook. And somehow, I skipped over Bonnie Tyler for Carly. I actually considered Lee Greenwood for Kristy for a split second and somehow dismissed it without thinking why I did so at the time!
Comments
By Willie the One Eyed Wonder Worm
March 26, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
uno
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Rodney, in my book he doesn’t get bonus points. He’s an entertaining singer, but he comes up short when it comes to originality.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
I agree with JT. The annoying part is that the judges keep referring to him as ‘original’ even when Ryan stand right next to them and says who did the original arrangement.
David Cook is very good at what he does (which is picking OTHER people’s arrangements)and he performs well. he could easily win this competition. I’d like to see him do David Cook…not somebody else…at least once.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Just when I’m starting to have fun again…my mom and her doc appts beckon. I’ll be back eventually!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with JT and Deirdre here… I’m enjoying DC’s performances … but he’s NOT “original” by any means. They gave alaina fits for imitating others … wanted to see the “real alaina” … so why not the same spiel for DCook? Well, as has been pointed out, the judges may want consistency from the contestants, but the judges are FAR from consistent themselves … the Chikezie thing v. Reuben is a perfect example (thanks to whoever pointed that out, btw)
By Tami
March 26, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Deirdre…sorry that my comment showed up three times. Something’s wrong with the Inet connection I think. Oh, well. Maybe I’ll have better success tonight.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about it Tami…it’s this frickin mushblog…it gets the hiccups a lot!
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Rodney, I’ll need pictures of the ice cream event since I won’t be able to make it.
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
And… what happened to Flats? Was he making an outhouse run and he fell in? I need to see if he agreed with me that Ramiele should never wear tall boots again.
By Flats
March 26, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
JT..Home with the flu bug!Ramiele needs to take her boots and skanky self home!Kristy wins the boot competition hnds down!
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I hope you get better soon Flats. Tonight your wish may come true, and hopefully Kristy will wear some boots just for you.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Sorry you’re under the weather, greg.
Have y’all decided who’s going home yet? I vote for Ramiele or Jason.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 26, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I’m with you D, Ramielle, and if not her, then Jason. Although Brooke and Chikezie are not in everyone’s “favorites” group… so they’re in some danger, i fear.
But…. JT, greg (sorry you’re not feeling well) … looks like Ramielle’s boots MAY just be for walkin’ …
DUCK
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Deirdre, I have decided that someone will be going home tonight! Harmony, are you going to risk your prediction streak along with me? I’ve been spot on ever since the first elimination of the top 24!
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
JT…I predict a cheesy group song followed shortly after by a silly Ford commercial!
By Flats
March 26, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks JT,D,and Linny!This bug’s a fiesty one!I just cant get over paula’s love for carli.She’s good,but DAMN!I hope David Cook wins the deal with brooke a close second!
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
zabasearch is claiming that Ramiele, Chikezie and Carly will be in the bottom 3 tonight. Time will tell!
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
D. without Amanda there the song should be good with a nice touch of cheese. It will be fun to see it without having the poopy attitude. I’m curious as to what medley they will put together.
We don’t need zabasearch when we have Negativo and Mike S.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
I will not miss Lady Poopy-face tonight. Sheesh girl, have a little fun….you wouldn’t look any stupider than you did in those clown outfits!
At least everyone will be smiling..whether they’ll be singing well is a whole other thing!
By Justin
March 26, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Last night I checked DialIdol like 5 minutes after voting officially ended and went to bed. Now today it’s different? How in the world does that happened? Michael was predicted to be safe, now it changed to yellow (in danger) and Syesha was 5th to last and now changed from 4th to last after Brooke jumped up… I guess I’m just confused
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Justin..the west coast doesn’t finish voting until sometime after 3am our time…then Hawaii gets it’s turn.
Ryan has been saying this year that we have ‘at least’ 2 hours to vote. I wonder just how long we really have.
By Willie the One eyed Wonder Worm
March 26, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
everyone is doing a pretty good job of making their comments short and to the point. things flow better that way.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
i’d love to write a book, but i have to get to the post office before 6, so i’ll just do a paragraph…. WOEWWWWW WOEWWWWWW WOEEEEEEEEE WOEEEEEEEEEWW
who cares what you think? who died and made you the boss of the blog? now if you have something about AI or any other topic of interest to CONTRIBUTE to…. feel free and be welcome! but this constant commentary about others commentary is a little ridiculous! and nothing more than a pain in the …. WOEEE WOOOOEE WOE WOE WOOOOEWWWWWWW (think joplin)
By Willie the One eyed Wonder Worm
March 26, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
pushing it a little but acceptable.
By Deirdre
March 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
LOL!! Willie…you’re so cute!
Speaking of annoying characters who really aren’t that bad…where’s Gilldude?
By Willie the One eyed Wonder Worm
March 26, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
blog is slow enough. don’t have time to read unnessary jabber. sum up thoughts and move along.
By War Eagle
March 26, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Popeye makes a good point about the slow blog. Now shut the hell up.
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Willie you really need to elaborate on what you are trying to say. These one sentence diatribes just don’t cut it. Say what you need to say by explaining it in a paragraph or more. Just be sure to break your thoughts into separate distinct paragraphs. Once you get done breaking down your argument, give us another paragraph summing everything up so that the slow folks can pretend that they read the whole thing.
By War Eagle
March 26, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I think that may be too deep for Wilie JT.
flats, sorry to hear that you are down. The bug kicked my tail a few weeks back. Find some good ole shine, take about three shots then cover up with about three blankets. You’ll wake up feeling like a new man.
By Negativo
March 26, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
I’m drinking wine…on the 2nd glass and planning many more. Cabernet. I have officially given my Neg pick that JC will be eliminated…let’s see it’s 15 for 15.
By War Eagle
March 26, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Cold Bud Light in the bottle for me.
By Flats
March 26, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Thanks Eagle..We’ve missed you during the day,hope things are going well for you!
By War Eagle
March 26, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Take care of yourself flats.
I met a nice young lady down here. I thought it was going somewhere until she told me that she needed “half up front.” I said no thanks but got her number just in case.
By Negativo
March 26, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Glass number 3 down, ready for #4. Eagle, I am usually a beer guy, but tonight is italian food so wine was a must.
By ACE
March 26, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Wille willie won’t go home but you can’t push willie around willie won’t go.
Ace is the place for the helpful hardware man.
I don’t know where the Judges and others come off saying this is the most talented group ever. This not even close to season five. Anyone in the top ten on season 5 would be the clear winner this year.
By JTesla
March 26, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the pictures Rodney!
By Kevin
March 27, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
I looked in iTunes (now how did I remember to go there?) and saw that Heart also recorded You’re the Voice (David A’s song). It appeared on their 85-95 greatest hits album, for one. Sounded much less theme-parky to hear them sing it.
By Chuckles
March 27, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the great article, Rodney!
By the way: both Daughtry and David Cook mentioned that their version of a cover of a cover were by others: Nigel & Co. cut their mentions in both cases. The uproar last year was caused by the producers - not by the contestants.
By Louise7
March 27, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Melinda she is amazing. She will released her first Album june of 2008. You are one of her fans come join us to support her www.mdstreetteam.com
By rizell
March 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
I was at the head of the line and I am glad she was able to head our way. She has not let all of the fuss get to her head and she is, musically, ahead of her time. I wish more people would have headed down to Kroger to see her. She is the head of the class!
By JT
March 27, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
You folks are takikng ‘original’ out of context. What the judeges are saying is that although he’s singing somebody elses joint, he’s singing it it HIS way. RandY jackson is one of the BEST musicians around and has performed AND recorded with dayum near EVERYODY! I repsect his opinion(as a fellow musician) unlike Paula(she’s cute though). You know how hard it it to sing someone elses song differently??? Getting a new melody, changing the bass line, etc. and make it sound good??? Puleeze! David is KILLIN’ IT!!!
By dolphin
March 28, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Linny, you said “They gave alaina fits for imitating others … wanted to see the “real alaina” … so why not the same spiel for DCook? ” The answer is because Alaina was imitating (sounding EXACTLY like) Britney, etc. David Cook sounds like DAVID COOK. He is using other people’s arrangements of songs, but singing them as David Cook. If you don’t believe me, download Chris Cornell’s version of Billy Jean. I am a huge CC fan, but had to admit DCook did it WAYYYY better!