Fans hold up a sign in support of Lauren Alaina Suddeth, an “American Idol” contestant from Rossville, Ga., Saturday at Coolidge Park. Suddeth sang two songs and dedicated one to the victims of the recent tornadoes in the area.
Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press – May 14, 2011SUSAN PIERCE: Tonight’s episode of “American Idol” will show America that nobody can throw a homecoming parade like Chattanooga. I’ve watched YouTube videos of the other two finalists’ parades and concerts, and they certainly didn’t have as scenic a locale as hometown star Lauren Alaina Suddeth.
It was pouring rain for Haley Reinhart’s homecoming concert. Allegedly close to 30,000 people came to Arlington Park Racetrack in Arlington Heights, Ill., to hear her, but you can’t tell it by watching the videos. Online comments said the fans stayed up in the covered balconies of the track, which is why so few are at field level.
You can tell where Haley got her pipes: Her parents and their band, Midnight, backed Haley up, and they were quite professional.
Country star Josh Turner made a surprise appearance at Scotty McCreery’s concert in Garner, N.C. You can tell by Scotty’s reaction that it truly was a surprise. His reaction is great when he turns around and sees his “idol.” It should make good entertainment tonight.
LISA DENTON: All the Lauren hoopla must have been a nice change of pace for her North Georgia fans who are still rebuilding after the tornadoes. This kind of celebration is disaster “relief” in the best sense of the word.