Happy, relieved - tomayto, potahto. 
I didn’t see the show but it comes as no surprise who was voted off. I think giving him “Daughters” played into Casey’s wheelhouse but after hearing the judges bleat on all season that Casey didn’t “stretch” himself, how freaking hypocritical was it to give him a song that is basically background music. Of course, Song #1 was completely on him but the whole point of having judges pick the song is to leverage their expertise and give some direction to kids who are green.
My biggest criticism about Casey is that he’s not a great arranger of songs. He plays them well straight up, which makes sense given that he probably played in a cover band for years, but I have no idea if he can write songs. Artists can make it on their own without writing their own material but it’s not easy. FYI, I don’t think David Cook was a great arranger of songs either, but he at least knew how to get on iTunes and copy alternate versions to make it appear fresh.
Nonetheless, I do think that Casey has a future in entertainment, whether it’s as a straight up Keith Urban kind of artist, or doing something more commercial to get his face in front of the camera. He was blessed with good looks and height and he’s got swoonworthy talent to boot, so that should take him far if he connects up with the right producers. Kudos to his mama, a single mom, for turning off the t.v. and giving her kids the gift of music.
I don’t dislike Lee at all and it was fun to see him come out of his shell and gain confidence, but he’s yet to give me a “Me and My Bobby McGhee” moment like Crystal. I completely agree that the judges had predetermined that Lee’s “Halleluia” was going to bring chills, and it was confusing and fake that they laid it on soooo thick. Maybe it was chill inducing in rehearsals, but what I heard was a so-so singer being completely drowned out by the band and the choir. His voice broke at times and he seemed out of breath. So I agree with Drain that it was manufactured and that makes me wonder what their agenda is.
I’m going to vote for Crystal next week because I don’t think someone should be penalized for being rock solid every week instead of meh in the beginning and then good at the end.
Another stupid question: I have Verizon. I’ve always assumed that I couldn’t text in my vote because I don’t have Sprint (or whatever the carrier is). Am I completely off base?
I think to have a “moment” with Hallelujah at this point would take something extraordinary - the song has been covered so many times, by such excellent performers in many different styles, that just a competent version of it is very much “so what?” The judges needed to dig a little deeper than they did (and John Hyatt would indeed have been an excellent choice for Lee). Or somebody like Chris Rea.
I thought the carrier was Verizon. At least it was in previous seasons when I voted. Anyway, yes, you can vote using any carrier. Though I think you can’t text your votes without the right carrier.
I’m pretty sure the carrier is Sprint at least for the past several years. Obviously you can call in votes from any phone, but I’m pretty sure you have to be on Sprint to text them.
The preferred carrier is AT&T, actually.
I have an iPhone, so text-voting here I come.