Community Corner

American Idol Semi-Finalist Has Family Connections to Sewickley Area

Semi-finalist Deandre Brackensick, 17, performed Tuesday night.

From San Jose to , an American Idol semi-finalist with local connections sang the Fox show Tuesday night.

Deandre Brackensick, 17, known for his blondish locks and beautiful falsetto, is the great-grandson of Sewickley author and historian Bettie Cole.

Cole is visiting her daughter and Brackensick's grandmother Georgiana "Gee Gee" Cole in San Jose, CA, where the Brackensick family resides. Gee Gee and her sister Gwendolyn Cole of Coraopolis attended . 

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“They’ll be celebrating,” said Earl Cole, 89, of Ambridge, who plans to root for his great-grandson.

Brackensick is among the 24 semi-finalists to reach this round of Season 11.

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Family members say Brackensick's influences include Hawaiian music, but as a talented singer he can vocalize in any range.

He fell just short of making the Top 24 last season, but a relative said he didn't stop trying and worked hard on his vocals. He returned for a second go-around this year and wowed judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.

On Tuesday night, Brackensick received numerous compliments, particularly from Lopez, after singing Earth, Wind and Fire's "Reasons."

"Your voice is so perfect to me, your vibe, everything," Lopez said. "...I was praying that you came back and you did and its going to be such an amazing year for you."

Jackson told Brackensick he was ready to go "just out of the box" and complimented his ability to hit the same notes as Philip Bailey. 

“I’m proud of him,” Cole said. “He’s a great kid. I hope he'll go places.” 

Cole said he encourages everyone he encounters to vote for Brackensick and jokes that his head and chest have been puffed out for weeks.

“He’s talented. He’s good,” Cole said.

In an interview with Fox, Brackensick said his biggest inspiration is his family. 

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Updated at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday


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