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Idol Vocal Coach: David Cook is the Dark Horse

Deb Byrd talks to Us about front-runners, fan favorites and what it takes to wow Simon

Few people over the years have had unprecedented access to all things Idol. Vocal coach Debra Byrd is one of those select star makers who have been with Simon & Co. since season one. Six years later on season 7, Byrd continues to shape relative unknowns into tomorrow’s superstars. Here, Byrd — who recently debuted her new singer's instrument Pocket Tones — opens up to Us about this season’s scandals, song choices and even Beatlemania!

Usmagazine.com: On March 11’s Lennon and McCartney-themed show, the contestants only had 25 songs from which to choose. Is that the norm?
Debra Byrd: That's not very many, so they were gravitating toward the songs they knew. If people had chosen the same song, they had to put their hand in a hat and draw out another song. It became overwhelming because there were a few people who had chosen the same song so something had to separate them.

Us: David Hernandez and Brooke White both initially selected “Let It Be.” Was that the only case where a song was selected twice?
DB: I know Chikezie had chosen "I Saw Her Standing There" which is the same song that David [Hernandez] ended up singing. It's like an endless linked chain.

Us: Last week, Syesha Mercado and Chikezie really wowed us with their unique takes on the Beatles tunes. Do the contestants have control over their arrangements?
DB: They have input. Most times, they don't have any ideas at all. Every now and then I get a contestant who will say ‘Byrd, I have an idea’ and I absolutely listen to their idea. And if it is a fabulous idea, I say ‘go for it.’ As Chikezie sang his song, I said ‘Chikezie, why did you choose this song? I don't get it, what drew you to this song?’ And Chikezie said, ‘I hear it with the banjo and I hear it with the fiddle.’ And I said, ‘Now I get it." As soon as he said that, I could hear it. And that is what you saw on TV and that is what we love. He was inspired to do it that way, which is extremely cool, but most contestants don't go that far.

Us: Which other risk-takers impressed you this season?
DB: David Cook with "Eleanor Rigby." I always say, "You gotta find a vibe so that it is not boring." He had a vibe.

Us: Simon Cowell told David after his performance that if it was strictly based on competition and not a popularity contest, he could take it all.
DB: David was pretty outstanding. He was very nervous and I kept telling him that he was the dark horse. I walked up to him right before show time and I said "Dude, you are the dark horse, do what you know how to do." And he went to do his thing. It is so nerve-wracking standing there in front of millions of people and being ridiculed, so it is great that he got that praise. Especially when you have people who the media latch onto quickly like David Archuleta or Michael Johns, and then you have a guy who nobody is saying anything about. So I am glad, grateful, and happy for him that he has been recognized for his talent.

Us: On the flip side, Kristy Lee Cook, took a risk and it didn't go over well. How do you build up the morale after a poor performance?
DB: Kristy loved that song, she loved the Lorrie Morgan version and she said "Byrd, I love this, this is the one I want to do." And when I have a contestant who is in love with something—and she was definite about it—I support their decision because it is their career that is on the line. When we rehearsed it with piano, it sounded great. But then when all of the other elements came in, it of course changed. My heart goes out to her. She sang it well, she didn't croak and she didn't forget the words. But, unfortunately, the judges didn't feel it.

Us: This season, there has been a lot of talk about originality. Do you sit contestants down at a certain point and remind them how big the nights are or do they get into gear on their own?
DB: Well, every night is a big night. They all want to stay; no one wants to go home. So, when they pick and choose their song, they have a vision. I ask them, ‘What are you going to bring new to this week that you didn't have last week?’ This gives them food for thought, it gives them homework, it makes them think in terms of their performance but that is an every week thing. They never go up there and think ‘Gee, I want to suck this week!’

Us: Who is the most underrated top 10 contestant thus far?
DB: I would have said David Cook, but Simon gave him props last week. That would have been my answer. They are all pulling their game up. And, as I say to them, they are all wonderfully talented. Every single one. I tell them, ‘It is a crapshoot, it could be anyone of you to make it through. So you just have to bring it.’

Us: Lastly, having been with Idol since the early days, what is it that keeps the show so interesting?
DB: The fact that we get to sit at home with our family and our friends and discuss the contestants makes it exciting. Also, I think it is so exciting because we can vote, it's that audience participation thing that makes the show so widely popular. The public helps to create the winner and that is what is so cool. On season one, I remember saying to [executive producer] Nigel Lythgoe, "Wow you are going to change the face of American music." And he said, "Yeah, pretty much."

BY ALLISON CORNEAU