Bakersfield's 'Idol' hits Hollywood round
| Monday, Feb 08 2010 03:38 PM
Last Updated Monday, Feb 08 2010 04:02 PM
"American Idol" with Bakersfield resident Jim Ranger
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Fox
Images
Bakersfield's Jim Ranger and his wife Camilla are all smiles as they watch American Idol where Ranger received the prized yellow ticket at the Los Angeles audition which sends him to the next round of the Fox singing competition. The Californian was with Ranger and his friends and family when they watched the show Tuesday night. We'll bring you the excitement and joy of Ranger's big night in Thursday's Eye Street.
There's so much buzz surrounding "American Idol" these days, you'd never know the show -- accused of losing a little steam in recent years -- is on its ninth season. But the heat continues Tuesday as new judge Ellen DeGeneres debuts and local fans get another look at Bakersfield performer Jim Ranger.
Auditions are over and now it's the really brutal part. Which of the contestants who earned a golden ticket will stick around? Ranger got the stamp of approval when he auditioned in Los Angeles over the summer (the episode aired a couple of weeks ago).
What to expect from Tuesday's episode, according to tvguide.com: The Hollywood round begins with nation-spanning golden-ticket winners arriving in California. They struggle through punishing rehearsals and nerve-jangling auditions in the hopes of winning a slot in the Top 24.
The Hollywood round continues with a second heat on Wednesday.
Unlike the packed viewing party that assembled for Ranger's audition round, the pastor is keeping Tuesday's viewing low-key -- just a few friends and family.
But no matter how this week turns out, Ranger and his band Soulajar are revved for their Fat Tuesday concert, with local band Mento Buru, at Fishlips Feb. 16. Check out Thursday's Eye Street for more on that show.
Ranger was also featured on Bakotopia Radio Sunday, where he performed a solo acoustic version of his audtion song, "Drive." Video of the performance can be seen at Bakotopia.com. Bakotopia Radio is on at 9 p.m. Sundays on KRAB Radio, 106.1 FM, or streaming at www.krab.com.
