Final Pairing Set for American Idol as Casey James is Eliminated

(HMG) -  Long-haired 27-year-old handsome musician Casey James was cut Wednesday from “American Idol,  leaving Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze to duke it out for the crown as the ninth Idol winner next week.  James with his bluesy stylings always seemed to please but never  wow the judges, and his fate seemed sealed Tuesday when Simon Cowell compared his rendition of Eric Hutchinson’s “OK, It’s Alright With Me” to a salad.

Bowersox and DeWyze, both 24, have been front runners for most of the series.Neither singer has ever fallen into the “bottom three” and faced eviction.  For Bowersox, the earthy 24-year-old musician from Toledo, Ohio, the show represents the latest step in a career that, at one time, had her playing for money in train stations. The song that earned her spot in the last show was “Maybe I’m Amazed,” by Wings. And, for the the bashful  DeWyze, a former sales clerk from Mount Prospect, Ill. who sang “Hallelujah,” it is a long way from the Chicago paint shop where he used to work.

DeWyze told host Ryan Seacrest that he’s “never wanted to win more than I do right now,” while Bowersox thanked the judges for their continued support.

“Everything that you guys have said has been helpful,” beamed Bowersox.

Host Ryan Seacrest revealed that more than 47 million votes were cast after this week’s episode. That is a significant drop from last year, when 88 million votes were cast for the semi-final.

The final, which will mark Simon Cowell’s final stint as a judge, takes place on Wednesday, May 26.