Monday night's episode of American Idol, live from Los Angeles, showcased the top 10, with only technically two eliminations.
Murphy native Braden Rumfelt made it to the top nine after the live voting results. Rumfelt sang Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" because as he said, "My brother told me no more slow ballads."
This week featured the rock and roll edition with the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees being honored along with a a surprise performance by judge Carrie Underwood performing "Rebel Yell" alongside Billy Idol & Steve Stevens.
Two 2026 inductees, Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo, also offered coaching comments to this week's contestants for their choices.
Benatar and Geraldo gave high praise to Rumfelt, even adding that they would "adopt him, but had to think about the twin" and that he "was a hoot" and also gave him advice about working the stage "and working with his hands up."
Rumfelt said he "felt like [he'd] met them before," after their open rapport during their coaching session.
The “live watch” party at local spot Mountain Vale Lodge in Murphy included a dedicated crowd rooting for Rumfelt.
Barry McClure said he'd been here every week since the parties had begun, and that "Braden's at least in the finals, if not the winner."
The next nine weeks are a countdown to the popular live voting with only nine weeks left of the show. Anerican Idol airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.