American Idol: Casey Abrams leaves the stage

After viewing an evening of the American Idol Sixperforming classic Carole King songs, the voters gave the boot to the talented, unconventional and jazz-influenced Casey Abrams. It was his second exit from the show--the judges used their one save earlier in the season to keep him on the show.

Producer/mentor Jimmy Iovine said, "Casey is a great musician, and will go on to be a great singer songwriter." However, he noted that his vocal growling wasn't a good way to please the voting public.

During the show, Casey was asked to name an artist with whom he would have liked to have performed. He named the late jazz great Oscar Peterson, who few in the audience recognized.

The bottom three out of six also included Jacob "Luther" Lusk and country Scotty McCreedy.

The judges appeared a bit gloomy, knowing that they would see one of the six go home. It won't get any easier in the coming weeks. Only one among James Durbin, Haley Reinhart, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk and Scotty McCreedy can be the 2011 American Idol.

Jimmy the Mentor gives an edge to James to be standing on the stage at the end. "If he picks the right song, no doubt he can win this thing," he said. The others still in the competition will have to take that as a challenge and try to keep James from taking the crown.

Pictures: "American Idol" Season 10
Special section: "American Idol"

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