I grew up with ‘American Idol’ even though I’m an old guy

There will be victory laps and guest performances and final countdowns and one last winner crowned on that final show. Plenty of tears will be shed on the way to that FOX TV moment around this time in 2016, you can be sure. Also, many, many words of derision and hate will be directed at…

Kaitlyn Jackson has her own album to celebrate as ‘American Idol’ nears Hollywood rounds

It’s been a big week for 16-year-old Kaitlyn Jackson. Her self-titled album came out, eight songs, all written by the country music singer from Norwich, the small city in Chenango County, some 60 miles southeast of Syracuse, N.Y. She even had a media release sent out about the event. That’s because she’s been signed by…

Travelin’ man Kohlton Pascal lights up my ‘American Idol’ season

The guy walking the railroad tracks as I watched “American Idol” tonight looked familiar. The long hair, the acoustic guitar, the face. It hit me before I heard the distinctive singing voice or saw the name flash on the screen. This season of the singing competition on FOX has just gotten way more interesting. To…

Catching up with Kaitlyn Jackson as ‘American Idol’ goes on without her

Kaitlyn Jackson has put her moment in the national eye to very good and wise use. The 16-year-old from Norwich, N.Y., had just finished presenting her program “Dream Big” to a big room full of kids, Jackson says during a phone conversation Friday morning. “I’m basically a motivational speaker,” says the teen. She talks about…

With Ethan Harris eliminated, ‘American Idol’ goes on without upstate New York singers

Talk about a rush. “American Idol” fans have punched the phones and clicked the devices the last two days, and it is decided. After tonight’s FOX broadcast, season 13 will have gone from 30 hopeful singers to 10. Then judges Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez get to add their three favorites from…

‘American Idol’ never showed Kaitlyn Jackson after her golden ticket

The waiting to see Kaitlyn Jackson sing again on “American Idol” season 13 is over. The teen singer from Norwich, N.Y., did not make the final 29 set in stone after Thursday night’s FOX broadcast. Although, once again, that was kept behind the scenes. FOX producers went with other sorts of drama, such as making…

‘American Idol’ leaves Kaitlyn Jackson fans hanging again

Another episdode of “American Idol,” another two hours to avoid teen singer Kaitlyn Jackson with the camera. Wednesday night, the season 13 producers resorted to a favorite technique. They served up a cliffhanger. Yes, fans of the singer from Norwich, N.Y., still have not seen her perform since her successful audition with the original song…

Kaitlyn Jackson shares the news that she advanced again on ‘American Idol’

Kaitlyn Jackson has made it through the notorious group night on “American Idol.” The only way I know this is because the 15-year-old country music singer from Norwich posted the news on her Facebook open fan page. She told the world that the Shotgun Angels — the name the trio of singers gave themselves for…

Good news, Kaitlyn Jackson fans. She made ‘American Idol’ group night

One of the most maddening pursuits in “American Idol”-land is the hunt-and-search for a favorite contestant during Hollywood week. After the successful audition by Kaitlyn Jackson, the teen country singer from Norwich, N.Y., I promised here more to come about her progress in season 13. I could not spot her last night as FOX made…

A teen singer from Norwich, N.Y., Kaitlyn Jackson, makes ‘American Idol’ night one intriguing

Part way into the Boston auditions that opened this new season of “American Idol” on Wednesday night, a 15-year-old singer introduced herself. Kaitlyn Jackson was her name. And she told of the night her grandpa fell ill while she was performing at the Chenango County Fair. My ears perked up. That’s just down the road…