Goodbye Matt....

Matt Giraud was finally sent packing from American Idol last night! I know it seems like ages ago, but there was a moment this season when Simon actually praised Matt for out-singing Danny. After that, it was all downhill for the dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich. But it's not as if Matt didn't try. If anything, it's that he tried too hard. That's right. Instead of sticking to his guns, settling on one musical style, he attempted to be all things to all viewers. And the judges, understandably, raked him over the coals for appearing to be a Ray Charles wannabe one week and a Justin Timberlake clone the next. Tuesday night saw Matt serving up some of his best stuff, cheesy fedora notwithstanding. However, his sensitive, moving version of "My Funny Valentine" didn't influence voters, even despite Simon's pronouncement that the performance was "brilliant." The fact of the matter is that Matt's truly had a roller coaster season.

Those of us here in Kalamazoo, Mich. can't wait to see what the future holds for Matt! We are very proud of him.