CADENCE Baker was the second audition of tonight's American Idol, and she left quite an impression.
She sang Whitney Houston's I’m Your Baby Tonight, and her father played the guitar.
The judges unanimously voted to send her to Hollywood.
“I think it’s one of the best auditions I’ve seen,” said Luke Bryan.
Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry, along with host Ryan Seacrest are continuing the third week of auditions for the Season 20 competition.
Tonight's episode comes after a platinum ticket was given in the second episode to 17-year-old Kenedi Anderson, who blew the judges away with a Lady Gaga cover.
The platinum ticket is a new addition this season, and it's a game-changer for competitors.
The platinum tickets allow one talented recipient in each auditioning city to immediately advance to the second Hollywood round, meaning Kenedi Anderson will skip the first round of cuts.
Read our American Idol live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Jennifer Korn
Donavan Diaz sings next
The other funeral home worker is now singing for his shot at a golden ticket.
"I don't like all this DTA," said Katy. "Death talk anxiety."
The platinum ticket fell off the wall, spooking the judges.
The judges said they couldn't connect with his performance and did not give him a ticket to Hollywood.
- Jennifer Korn
Emily Faith sings first
Emily Faith is a country singer and sang for the judges first.
"You have an authentic country voice," said Luke.
The judges gave her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
- Jennifer Korn
Up next, funeral workers
Two contestants who happen to work at funeral homes crossed paths and are up next to audition.
- Jennifer Korn
'Keep your head up'
Ryan Seacrest had some encouraging words for Taniya.
"Sometimes all you need is time," he wrote.
- Jennifer Korn
Judges vote no for now
"It was a very youthful performance," said Luke. "I think you have tons of promise."
"I know there's more there," said Katy. "You have to go and discover that next gear."
"If you take this kind of start and work on your delivery, practice, practice, and then come back to see us," said Lionel. "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
Lionel gave Taniya a yes and told her to come back.
- Jennifer Korn
Next up, Taniya Boatwright
Next to audition for a ticket to Hollywood is Taniya Boatwright.
She said when she was growing up, she was bullied because of her weight.
She is singing A Change is Gonna Come, by Sam Cooke
- Jennifer Korn
Dakota gets a golden ticket
'You are exactly what we want to find," said Luke.
The judges said he may even end up in the top 10.
Dakota was then told he is going to Hollywood.
- Jennifer Korn
'Pure country'
"He's actually good," said Luke, after Katy shouted at Dakota to tune his guitar.
Luke asked him to try singing without the guitar.
"We found somebody here," said Lionel. "You're pure country."
Katy called him authentic and raw.
- Jennifer Korn
Next up, Dakota Hayden
From a small town in Kentucky, Dakota is from a population of about 500 people.
He said he is the most excited to audition in front of Luke Bryan.
- Jennifer Korn
Taking the broom to the next round
- Jennifer Korn
Like a Disney star
"You're just a great singer of that style of music," said Luke.
"When you started, I got chills," said Katy.
The judges were questioning whether Abigail's style is suited for American Idol.
However, the judges voted to send her to the next round.
- Jennifer Korn
Singing into a broom
Abigail Brookes, from Castle Rock, Colorado, is used to singing into a broom instead of a microphone.
She is now singing for a shot at a golden ticket to Hollywood.
- Jennifer Korn
More auditions underway
More contestants are singing it out for a golden ticket.
One singer is uniquely imitating a trump solo with her voice.
- Jennifer Korn
'A soul stirrer'
- Jennifer Korn
Dontrell gets a golden ticket
Luke decided to send Dontrell to Hollywood after allowing him to sing another song.
Lionel got up and gave him a hug. "I am so proud," he said.
- Jennifer Korn
Judges moved
"Some people can come in and just sing, and some people come in and let God come through them," said Lionel.
"I felt every breath of that performance."
Luke said he needs to be listening to more gospel.
Lionel voted yes and Katy voted no. Dontrell offered to sing another song.
- Jennifer Korn
Next up, Dontrell Briggs
From North Carolina, Dontrell Briggs is bringing gospel to the audition room.
He shared that his godmother died a few months ago.
"In spirit, she is here," he said.
He is singing For your Glory by Tasha Cobbs.
- Jennifer Korn
Fans love Cadence
- Jennifer Korn
Loinel: 'I loved it'
The judge complimented Cadence's father's guitar playing, and the father took a step back and joked, "I just won American Idol."
"I think it's one of the best auditions I've seen," said Luke of Cadence's audition.
The judges unanimously gave Cadence a golden ticket.
- Jennifer Korn
Cadence wants to go beyond
"I want to go beyond what my grandfather and my dad did," Cadence told the judges.
She is singing I'm Your Baby Tonight, by Whitney Houston, with her dad playing guitar.
- Jennifer Korn
Next up, Cadence Baker
Cadence Baker is up next to audition for a golden ticket.
She is from Alabama and joined by her father.
- Jennifer Korn
Lionel: 'I have two kids'
'I have two kids," said Lionel, of working with Katy and Luke.
"I'm the adult in the room."
- Jennifer Korn
First golden ticket of the night
American Idol shared a clip on Twitter of Tristen holding up his golden ticket.
- Jennifer Korn
Tristen gets a ticket
"You've got some real substance man," said Lionel. "You've got something where you can keep an audience for a whole night."
"All you need to do is play and sing, make it about the music first," said Luke.
The judges unanimously voted to send Tristen to Hollywood.
- Jennifer Korn
Judges ask to tone it down
"What are you attempting to do?" asked Luke.
"I want to bring back something that should have never left," Tristen responded.
Luke said he is overusing every talent he has.
"We are trying to take you from a gimmick to an artist," said Lionel.
Tristen is now singing a second song.
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