I have never been so happy with a winner in the Idol franchise as I have been with tonight’s winner of the Next Great American Band. The Clark Brothers!!!

When the show was just starting out, I had just a couple of brief conversations with Ash Clark who was just the sweetest person you can imagine. To have watched them develop and flourish each week was a true honor – and I can not wait to hear the album they put out.

Ash, Adam and Austin – NO ONE deserves it more than you guys. From the bottom of my heart – Congratulations!!

Hallelujah! That’s all I have to say. Light of Doom did not make it into the Finale Three!!

I’m not sure what to say tonight. Denver, Sixwire and The Clark Brothers all performed three songs – one selected by the judges, one selected by the show producers, and one selected by the bands themselves. Each band performed the best we’ve seen them all season – and they really all did outstanding. The judges all agree with me – The Clark Brothers should win this competition.

It was especially touching to see Ash get a little teary after watching the message his wife sent them from home. It’s nice to see young people in love … and it’s obvious they’re crazy about one another. BUT – that’s not what the show is about! It’s about the music – and The Clark Brothers really did give the best performance out of the three bands. So what are you doing still reading this? Get those fingers dialing and VOTE!!!

Next week’s show will reveal the winner … and I can not wait to hear the results!

To say I’m disappointed in this week’s show would be a huge understatement. I’m more than disappointed in the outcome tonight. Vote4theworst.com took out a band that could have won the show. A band that has true talent, that live and breath music. A band with great potential .. and I am hoping that they get signed to an agreement tomorrow morning. We say goodbye to Dot Dot Dot.

This week’s theme is Queen. I’m sure the bands were all shaking in their boots when they heard they’d have to make one of these classics their own. We’ve heard Idol wannabes and lead singers on Rockstar all attempt to recreate the dynamic of Freddie Mercury – and to this date no one has been able to capture that magic.

All right America – tell me that Light of Doom was better than Dot Dot Dot. Look me in the eye and explain to me why the kids were better than Dot Dot Dot … after you listen to their Green Room performance of “Stay”:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I just don’t get it. I don’t understand.

The Clark Brothers opened the show this week with “These Are The Days Of Our Lives”. The boys added two of their friends on Drums and Bass, and the band started to fill in the sound – adding much needed depth. Ash’s vocals seemed a bit off tonight though, his voice was weak on the Queen cover. But overall their performance was good. Dycko’s comment to Ash “You’re such a reluctant rock star! Don’t fight it mate, you’ll love it!” And I have to agree.

The Clark Brother original song I didn’t like as much. “Homestead” lacked the same depth and passion as their performances in the past. And it seems that Dycko and I were on the same wave length again, as his comments were something akin to the song writing being from “Country Songs 101″.

Next up – the one band that just won’t go away no matter how much I beg – Light Of Doom. Their Queen song was “We Will Rock Yo.” While I thought their opening was unique – the rest of the song was just really bad. They were very “garage band” sounding. Johnny Resnic FINALLY got real in his critic and told the kids that it was bad. The kids original song fell flat as well.

Sixwire was third to perform – and they selected “Fat Bottom Girls” – which turned out into a great country song. It was fun and upbeat – but it lacked some of the passion we’ve felt from the Clark Brothers. If they want to be contenders next week they have got to put some feeling and emotion into their songs. Their original song was much better – “Go On” was a ballad and the judges loved it. Shelia E went so far as saying she can’t wait to buy the recording.

Our final band was Denver and The Mile High Orchestra. Their Queen cover – “Sleeping on the Sidewalk”. This sounded the same as all of their other performances. I would really like to hear something different come from these guys. Their original song was much stronger .. Denver got a bit dirty again .. and it just flowed better.

I found it extremely interesting that after the judges found out who had left the competitio0n their critiques become more REAL. They told The Clark Brothers exactly what they needed to hear to step up next week. Shelia E commented “You’re not up there playing rock band. This is real for you – and we can tell.” I can only wonder if she was really talking about Light of Doom. Suggesting to the audience at home that they are up here playing games. Dyck also commented at the end of Light of Dooms second song, “If you win this you’re going to have to record an album .. and write real songs.” While I can’t argue with the judges this time around – because I want the same results as they do – you have to agree there is a bit of suggestive critiquing going on. I’d rather they just come right out and say “We don’t want Light Of Doom Back” – because that’s what they meant.

Heaven help us all if Light Of Doom makes it through to the final three. I’ll watch to support The Clark Brothers … but I refuse to give Light Of Doom any more free press.

I don’t begin to understand the mentality of the American Voting public. If this show is any indication in our next Presidential Election – the candidate Vote4TheWorst endorses will win the race. Light of Doom lives to survive another week while Tres Bien – who had a superb performance last week – is sent home. Kind words from Dycko as the band walks out the door – wishing them great success as a recording band.

The Clark Brothers performance was beautiful. Shelia E was at a loss for words and I was still crying ten minutes after I heard them perform. They sang “You’re In My Heart” by Rod Stewart … and it was such a moving moment you really didn’t want it to end. I’ve gone back and listened three times already .. and every time I tear up. Dycko gave them permission to add more of the Family to the band for next week’s performance … and I hope that the guys take him up on that offer. I can only imagine how fabulous they’d sound with a full band … and I’m pretty excited to hear them next week.

Sixwire had a sexy sound with “Hot Legs”. Even Dycko said they were sexy. Though none of the judges seemed keen on the Bass solo – I didn’t think it was that unusual or out of the ordinary. The band this week really looked like they were having fun .. and their performance was all the better for it.

Dot Dot Dot performed first tonight – and they gave us their best performance yet. Adam is gaining great control of his voice .. and you could actually hear how well he can sing! A few adjustments to the arrangements and they should be smokin’ hot for Pussy Cat Dolls night next week!

Denver and The Mile High Orchestra gave us a great performance as well – with Denver’s vocal breaking out of his norm. The band played up the rock in this song by bringing their electric guitarist up front and featuring him .. along with a fabulous Sax solo. It was good to hear the guys get a bit dirty in the performance. Dycko commented that if they feel Rod Stewart was a bit too risque for their band this week, though , they’re going to have a hard time with next weeks song!

I didn’t even listen to Light Of Doom to tell you the truth. I don’t consider them a real band yet. Sure they are cute kids .. and they have wicked talent for their age. But I can not see them as a successful recording band in today’s music scene – UNLESS – they sign up as a Disney band. And their heavy metal image just isn’t Disney material.

With five bands left – let’s all hope that the votes start to become more true .. that the vote4theworst people are becoming more outnumbered. It would be a real shame for any of the remaining bands to be sent home in place of the kids. The kids have time to develop .. these other bands need the win and the exposure so much more.

Let me begin with something unpleasant. If you are a youngster .. you might want to divert your eyes.

I AM PISSED OFF BEYOND ALL BELIEF THAT LIGHT OF DOOM IS STILL ON THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for letting me vent. Now … a rather quick recap as I’m not really into the show this week. I was wrapping gifts for my Secret Santa kids … and wasn’t paying 100% attention. I KNOW – bad blogger!

Tres Bien did a great job. The Stones {the theme this week} fit the band really well and their performance was the best I’ve seen of them this competition.

Sixwire too did a good job … but it was just good. In all reality I don’t remember the performance well rnough to comment – though I did love the Bill Clinton impersonation in their intro package.

Denver et. al …. this is going to be their finalweek I am afraid. Vote4TheWorst is backing Light of Doom .. which leaves that last stop wide open. Denver’s band hasn’t shown us any versatility at all … and the judges comments pretty much sealed Denvers fate.

Light Of Doom … horrible. Enough said.

I thought I was going to have a heart attack at this point … because my two favorite bands were in jeopardy of going home. This would be a very different blog if that had happened. But I am happy to say that both The Clark Brothers and Dot Dot Dot stayed in one more week! BUT – we had to say goodbye to the comedic talent of Cliff Wagner and the Old #7.

The Clark Brothers continue to amaze me. This weeks performance literally knocked my socks off – the band continues to get better each week. Shelia E said what I’ve been saying since Week 1 of this contest .. the Clark Brothers are the band to beat. Thank you for finally listening to me!!!

Dot Dot Dot … while their performance overall was good .. Adam fell back into his old performance pattern. Dicko said it best .. they have soooooo much potential. Adam needs to command the stage .. he needs to own it and be a stand out font man. Then they will be the closest competition The Clark Brothers will have on the show.

I’m hoping next week we’ll see some more contemporary songs .. meaning something from this millennium! I’d like to hear what the bands can do with the popular songs out today.