Floyd County singer made top 50 on American Idol

Wanda Combs
Floyd Press
Published: February 28, 2008

“When you’re out there, you’re running on pure adrenalin,” said local singer Adelee Mitchell, as she recalled her American Idol experience. The 20-year-old made it to the top 50 for the show’s 2008 season.
As her American Idol journey unfolded on television this month, her fellow employees at Black Water Loft in Floyd, Virginia, friends and family watched the events at tv parties in the store’s upstairs lounge.
Encouragement to try out in the music competition came from classmates at Auburn High School years ago. Last summer, she was given the big push by sister-in-law, Cindy, who also accompanied her to the first audition in Georgia.
Mitchell got her break in Atlanta, where 16,000 auditioned during the show’s city tours. The two had to wait in line only three hours to get registered on a Sunday, and they got in a “short line” on the day of audition.
While waiting for her appearance before the three judges – Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, the singer practiced, and her sister-in-law, an Army medic, offered some pointers. “She was totally ‘you can do it’,” Mitchell commented. “She was great.”
In her pre-performance interview with show host Ryan Seacrest, Mitchell said she wasn’t too nervous. She told him, “I’m not shaking yet.”
Then, the moment arrived. “You have 30 seconds, and you really have to come out swinging,” Mitchell said. She chose folk artist Patty Griffin’s “Up On The Mountain” for its standout vocal.
But before Mitchell was asked to sing, Paula had to find a pen so she could take notes. Simon reviewed the information she had supplied on her cards and discovered the notation about belly dancing. She told him it was a hobby and a good way to keep in shape.
Mitchell started singing “a little lower” than she intended, so she didn’t know what the outcome would be.
Randy described her performance as “awesome” and said she did it better than Patty does. Simon disagreed. Randy made a remark to him. Simon explained there had been many blues and jazz singers performing that day and he didn’t think it was that great. Paula liked it, Mitchell said, but Paula added it didn’t “blow her away.”
Quickly Mitchell asked if she could sing another song.
“You have 10 seconds,” Simon said.
She started singing Wayfarin’ Stranger, and she sang it higher “and somehow hit all the notes,” Mitchell said. “They stopped me.”
Randy then remarked he was still a “yes.” Simon looked to Paula, and she said based on her voice, she was going to stay yes. The next words were: “you’re on your way to Hollywood.”
When Mitchell came out of the room with her ticket, she was congratulated by parents Mike and Tina Mitchell of Riner and friends Rose and Grace McCutchan of Floyd. Her fan section was also wearing “Adelee sings” t-shirts.
Three months later, the local celebrity was headed to California. Since it was Hollywood Week, the performers could have no one with them. It was Mitchell’s first time on a plane, and once she landed she and about 187 others started their next adventure. To prepare for their performance on a big stage, they had one practice Monday night with the band. Everyone carried handheld tape recorders to save music for private practice. Her session actually took place at 2:00 in the morning. “They had given us a list of songs (from which) to choose,” Mitchell said. “I chose ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield.” That song proved to be popular in the practice session with the band, but only two people, including Mitchell, stayed with it for the Tuesday auditions.
Nerves weren’t a problem for Mitchell. “I knew the song really well, and I had planned what I was going to do with the mic and moving around the stage.” Mitchell said she knew she had to really control her breathing because of the way that song progresses.
After her performance, she got three “yes” votes from the judges, who said she did the song justice and didn’t run out of steam.
Those who didn’t make the Tuesday auditions had to perform on Wednesday in a line-up of several performers, who had 10 seconds to make the cut. Mitchell and others got a rest on Wednesday, and she said she was “way glad” for time to relax and practice for Thursday auditions. There was a problem when she presented her preferred list of three songs. “Five minutes before my (practice) time with the band, none of the songs cleared (from copyrights). I was frustrated, and I was oh no, what am I going to do.” She ran upstairs to find the music list, and on the second page, she had circled Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “I Put A Spell On You.” She returned to the band and said she would be singing that song. She practiced two times with the band. A vocal coach who was working with performers told her she had nothing to say to her except “have fun and do what you did here.”
Approximately 80 people performed that day, and judges had to pick 50 people.
Mitchell said she felt good going into the competition. She loved the song, and even though she hadn’t worked as much on stage movements, she decided to let the song inspire her. After she sang, Randy told her he liked it. “I think you put a spell on me.” Paula said she was “precious,” and she told her she liked the song. Simon remarked, “I think the week has been great for you. I want to see more.” There were three “yes” votes.
The top 50 then returned to their homes. No one could tell anyone else how they had done. About a month and half later, they returned to California for the “Green Mile,” which would determine the final 24. After filming an early morning promotion for Ford, one of the show’s sponsors, the group went to the holding room. The mood was somber. The judges were making final decisions in another room. With pictures of the contestants on a table in front of them, they discussed who should continue. They would then have contestants come to them one, or two, at a time for the final decision. A lot of time went by. Seacrest came to talk to contestants. He said the judges were still debating. “It was more nerve-wracking,” Mitchell said. “We were thinking they can’t even decide.”
Mitchell got her news early. She rode up on the elevator to another floor where the judges were waiting. She said she was praying for God’s will to be done, whatever that would be.
Simon said they had debated over her a long time. It was not a unanimous decision. “It’s a ‘no’.” Randy told her she has “an amazing voice. You’ve got to keep singing.” Simon said, “Polish it up a little more.” Paula said, “Come back.”
“They were very nice about it,” Mitchell said.
Will she return? “I think I probably will,” she replied.
Right now, she is trying to recuperate from this year. “It was very stressful…an intense experience.”
She plans to take voice lessons and work on breathing technique, and she is learning to play guitar. She plans to have a music My Space set up with some of her songs. “It’s a tool I could use to my advantage.” She would also like to take business courses online in the summer and fall.
Although she didn’t have any “song televised time,” she did appear in several segments, including one before she headed home. Asked for final words, and a little teary-eyed, she told America “to be happy and love each other.” She was pleased she got her message out.
She said she promised herself she wasn’t going to cry and that she was going to hug the three judges. She didn’t do either.
As she exited the building that day, there were plenty of hugs from the other contestants and the parents of minors at the competition.
Her appearance on the show has already opened some doors. Other musicians have expressed an interest to write and record with her.
And yes, she is watching the show. She made friends with several of those who are now finalists. She hasn’t voted yet, and she is not sure she wants to. Some of her top picks are: Michael Johns, “who is a big favorite with the judges”; David Cook, “who is hilarious and has vocal ability”; David Archuleta, who is “so nice”; Jason Castro, “a guy who is the closest in ‘tune’ with my style”; Brooke White, who reminds her of a Carly Simon or Joni Mitchell type of singer; Amanda Overmyer, the rocker nurse; Carly Smithson; Syesha Mercado; and Ramiele Malubay. Josiah Leming, the singer who dismissed the band, was also a favorite, but he didn’t make it to the final 24.
Mitchell says there is an incredible amount of talent in this year’s competition. She also believes personality counts in being an American Idol. “You have to have a personality and be open to the camera. America wants to know more than if you can sing.”
She takes it as a good sign that the judges told her to come back. “They weren’t telling everybody that.”
Mitchell said three out of the top 10 males in the competition this year had auditioned before and not made it.
She was there for the music, she said last week. “I’m not trying to be famous or make a lot of money….It’s about the music.”
And who was her favorite judge? “Randy,” she said. “He is business. He’s the one who thinks ‘is this person marketable’. He can be honest, but not try to crush you.”