Garrett Miles’ remarkable “American Idol” saga continues this week with a standing ovation from a Hollywood audience, raves from the judges and a special message to his fans in The Villages.
“I want to say a very special thank you to all my fans and friends in the Villages who have supported me over the years,” Miles stated Tuesday in an email to Villages-News.com. “It has been great to be able to grow and develop as an entertainer and musician in this wonderful community. It has been an amazing journey so far and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Thank you for your continuous support. God Bless You.”
Miles will appear on Idol this week or next as part of the show’s “Hollywood Week” elimination round. The buzz is already on the Internet that Miles thrilled the audience and judges with a cover of Garth Brooks’ “To Make You Feel My Love.”
Miles earned a standing ovation from the audience and kudos from the judging panel. Judge Harry Connick Jr. said, “I love how he holds out his notes. There’s no rattling.” Country star Keith Urban told Connick, “It’s a country thing.” Judge Jennifer Lopez smiled and applauded.
To see a clip of Miles’ performance go to http://www.americanidol.com/watch/392682563871/7716941568
Fans in The Villages have been posting messages in favor of the popular Villages entertainer, since Miles started his Idol journey in early January. Among the words of encouragement:
“One of our own has made it to Hollywood! We all cheer you and support you, Garrett! Good luck – you made us proud!” – Trish-Jim Franco.
“We will be rooting for you. We love your style!” – Darlene Lansing.
“Do us proud, Garrett. I know you will.” – Bob Cochran.
“I listened to this kid sing at Brownwood and he’s awesome,” Leslie Sheffield Spires.
“Way to go Garrett! We love you here in The Villages and wish you much success on Idol!” Marilyn Clayton Burdette.
Even Fernando Varela, another Villages’ performer who is a rising international star after appearing on “America’s Got Talent” is a fan and told the Villages-News.com: “I’ll be rooting and voting for Garrett. And I’m sure Villagers will support him the same way they supported me.”
Those are just a few of the dozens of comments and hundreds of responses on Facebook the Villages-News.com received about Miles.
Starting this week, Miles will need all the support he can get. It’s showtime for him and the other remaining Idol contestants.
The next two weeks will determine their future on the Fox Network television program.
This Wednesday and Thursday at 8, and also on Feb. 11 and 12 at the same time, Idol will feature performances from “Hollywood Week.” Idol will start eliminating contestants during these programs.
Idol must whittle down the nearly 200 performers who, like Miles, earned a “golden ticket to Hollywood,” during his audition.
There is no way to know what night that Miles, 26, will appear in the next two weeks.
The blind singer from Phenix, Alabama, earned high praise from the Idol judges in January. Now he has to do it all over again in a much-more pressure-packed situation.
Should Miles make it through the next two weeks, he will appear on Idol’s “Showcase Week,” Feb. 18-19, at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.
If Miles survives that challenge, he could be among the 48 finalists to be selected Feb. 25 and 26. There will be 24 women and 24 men.
Then, each week, Idol will keep cutting contestants until the show’s finals in May.
Regardless of how his Idol stint turns out, Miles is busy with his career. He just released a new song, “Holding On To Something,” on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ1cA_9EZvk&feature=share&app=desktop