An accountant keeps
the numbers in line, making
them letter perfect.

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A tail swings to and
fro as its kite ascends to
become a mere speck.

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Video: “American Idol” sends Paul McDonald home.

Singer-songwriter Paul McDonald went further on “American Idol” than he expected. The Alabama native was booted Thursday from the reality competition in eighth place, making him the first male contestant of the Top 13 to go.

Viewers vote to keep their favorite singers on the show each week. For this week’s theme, movie songs, McDonald performed “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger.

McDonald, who was born in Auburn and grew up in Huntsville, will tour with the other finalists this summer while giving his voice and body some rest in the meantime.

In telephone interviews with media Friday, McDonald shared his thoughts on the show and how he fared.

He told TV Guide:

“I tried to do these covers as good as I could, but it never really felt right. I was always kind of uncomfortable on the ‘Idol’ stage just because it was out of my element. I really felt like I had gone as far as I could. Because I’m not the best singer. I’m a songwriter and an artist, and all these other people have amazing voices. So I could only go so far. And I knew it.”

McDonald’s band, the Grand Magnolias, had serious objections to his participation on “Idol”:

“We literally spent all of our money on the new album, and we got some big producers to work with us on it, and it was what we had been working towards for the past 5 years. The band was like, ‘Dude, hopefully you don’t make it any farther.’ But the farther along I got, the more they started getting nervous about their jobs and stuff. But in the end, it worked out good because the album was on iTunes and Billboard and stuff. So they got to pay their rent.”

Paul McDonald says farewell at the end of Thursday’s
results show on “American Idol.”

McDonald told the Huntsville Times:

“When I got up here, I listened to some people when I probably should have stuck with my guns. I just wish I had done some more of these obscure artists, more of the vibe of music I was into.”

Video: Preview of “New Orleans,” by Paul McDonald
and the Grand Magnolias.

McDonald’s band, the Grand Magnolias,” has released a single, “New Orleans,” for a fund-raiser. All proceeds from the sale go to the Japanese Red Cross.

• • •

More “American Idol” at idol.wadeonbirmingham.com.

Late winter grilling
has turned to early springtime
grilling. Charcoal, please.

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Wear your sweaters at
the office. Hot temps outside
mean arctic inside.

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The park’s sea of green
becomes a sea of flesh as
the sun laps the shores.

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Video: Paul McDonald sings “Old Time Rock and Roll”
from “Risky Business” for movie night.

Lights. Camera. Action.

“American Idol” returns to one of its favorite recurring themes, movie songs. Huntsville’s Paul McDonald engages in some risky business.

“Help me, Jesus! Help me, Jewish God! Help me, Allah! Help me, Tom Cruise!”

• Song: “Old Time Rock and Roll,” by Bob Seger

[buy Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll”
on iTunes, Amazon; buy Paul’s version — aff. links]

• Judges say: Steven: “I love your crazy, wild abandon. What you got back from (the audience), that says it all.” J. Lo: “Every time you come out here, it’s like you’re going a little bit further in your performance, in just letting go. You killed it. Good job.” Randy: “America, you just witnessed the first number in the Paul McDonald concert. I love that you are just not a typical singer — you’re definitely an artist.” 

• We say: Paul is becoming the good time guy, but can he really stir people, or will he always just be the party rock guy? And will it take him much further in the competition?

Audio: “Old Time Rock and Roll,” Paul McDonald

Really rosy.

Sax with Paul.

“American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox 6.

Voting closes at 10:30 tonight.

Update April 14: After his second trip to the Bottom Three, Paul McDonald was eliminated in eighth place, making him the first male contestant gone from the Top 13.

Previous: Top Nine — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songs
Next: Top Seven

Video: “Old Time Rock and Roll,” by Bob Seger

Also:

• Buy Paul McDonald’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” on iTunes [aff. link]

• • •

More “American Idol” at idol.wadeonbirmingham.com.

They wear their blatant
idiocy proudly, to
profit from hecklers.

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Cheers to the secret
girl, placed on a pedestal
high above the fray.

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The butterfly knows
not of civil turmoil
while floating on air.

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Pollen amassed on
Chevy hoods and porch swings brings
new flowers to bloom.

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Guess what. Chicken butt.
Guess why. Chicken thigh. Guess where.
Chicken unaware.

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A macaroon would
be much improved without that
yucky coconut.

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In the mornings, she
constructs a blanket fort for
the scampering ones.

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Video: Paul McDonald sings “Folsom Prison Blues”
for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night.

Are you ready to rock?

We said, are you ready to rock?

No? OK. Well, these nine “American Idol” contestants are ready, including Huntsville’s Paul McDonald. The quirky singer faced a close call last week as part of the Bottom Three in which two others were sent home.

This time, the man onstage took on the Man in Black, Johnny Cash.

• Song: “Folsom Prison Blues,” by Johnny Cash

[buy Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”
on iTunes, Amazon; buy Paul’s version — aff. links]

• Judges say: Randy: “I got three words for you: I loved it!” Steven: “You’re such a crazy character. You rocked the house.” J. Lo: “A perfect way to end the show. Good job.” 

• We say: High energy, maybe not our favorite version of the song, but should be enough to keep him out of the Bottom Three again.

Audio: “Folsom Prison Blues,” Paul McDonald

“American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox 6.

Voting closes at 10:30 tonight.

Update April 7: Pia Toscano was sent home in ninth place.

Previous: Top 11 again — Elton John songs
Next: Top Eight — movie songs

Video: “Folsom Prison Blues,” by Johnny Cash

Also:

• Buy Paul McDonald’s “Folsom Prison Blues” on iTunes [aff. link]
• How Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks ended up singing Rebecca Black’s “Friday” on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”

• • •

More “American Idol” at idol.wadeonbirmingham.com.