Aside from saying "dawg" a lot, Randy Jackson will remind us what got him on the American Idol panel in March.

The Grammy-winning producer is bringing together a musical “dream-team” for his new CD, Randy Jackson’s Music Club Vol. 1.

“I’m really pleased that a bunch of wonderful, talented people showed up,” Jackson said of his experience producing Randy Jackson’s Music Club Vol. 1. “I’m really blessed by the way it all came together.”

The CD hits stores on March 11. Until then, Jackson will be grading season seven hopefuls such as Kady Malloy.

We were treated to a handful of solid performances last night during American Idol auditions in San Diego. Here were our favorites:

• Perrie Cataldo

A single father, Cataldo had more than just a great backstory. He bellowed Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" as if it had been written for him. Combine the adorable son with the voice and this is Top 24 material.

• Michael Johns

Now, the controversy begins: Johns was great, if only for the accent alone. But news has broke that this Australian was the lead singer for two bands: The Rising and Film. Should that disqualify him from American Idol? Some believe so.

For now, Johns is simply an early favorite who has moved on to Hollywood.

• David Archuleta

Another great backstory and another contestant with a professional resume: the 16-year old won Star Search when he was 12 and has performed across the country ever since. He also suffered from paralysis of the vocal chords as a child.

• Carly Smithson

Formerly known as Carly Hennessy, the Irish singer tried out for American Idol in 2005. Visa problems caused her to drop out, however. She's also received attention for a failed album released a few years ago, "Ultimate High."

We didn't know there was a magazine called Your Prom, either.

But there is. And Jordin Sparks is its latest cover girl. Here are highlights of the interview with last year's American Idol:

On her wardrobe secret: “I always wear spandex shorts under any dress because there could be a breeze. I could sit the wrong way. It’s a safety issue.”

On her fashion weakness: “I have a ton of shoes. I have a pair of Adidas that I just bought. They’re really, really cool. They go with everything!”

On her fave dance music: “I love stuff with really driving beats. I love Justin Timberlake’s songs, [and] Kanye West is good to dance to.”

Chris Daughtry recently took a slight swipe at American Idol, saying it had lost a lot of momentum.

While the singer retracted those comments a bit, we'd imagine they still stung folks like Randy Jackson. But the American Idol judge said the following in response:

“I love Chris. I think he made an amazing record that he sold extremely well,” Jackson said. “He’s a testament to the fact that no matter where you finish on Idol - even if you finish twelfth - if you make a great record and you got that kind of exposure, the public will resoundingly buy it. But the bottom line is there would be no Chris Daughtry if there wasn’t American Idol.”

Jackson went on to say that American Idol is still a great opportunity for young singers trying to break in to the business:

“I did A&R at record companies for fifteen years. No company was out looking for these kids. I’m sure you can ask any of the winners or the runners-up: were you trying to get a record deal before American Idol? I’m sure they will all say ‘Yes.’ Were you successful? I’m sure they’ll all say ‘No.’

So now we’ve got all these people, and guess what brought them here? The quickest rocket ship to the top.”

Breaking American Idol news: Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul are having an affair! Sort of!

It's early. It's very, very early.

But here's a quick ranking of our favorite top five contestants - along with their audition videos - from the initial couple episodes of American Idol. All made it through to Hollywood:

1. Kady Malloy: Young, cute, able to impersonate Britney Spears and Carrie Underwood. What's not to like? Except for the way she spells her first name perhaps.

2. Angela Martin: A single mother whose child suffers from a rare disease similar to Cerebral Palsy, Martin was more than a sob story. She can sing! Be careful with how cheesy you get, though, such as inserting Simon's name into a song.

3. Kristy Lee Cook: Confidence was not an issue for this crooner. Simon said she isn't as good as she thinks, but there should be time to improve during her days in Hollywood.

4. Colton Swon: It may just be his name. But the fact that this solid singer also plays the guitar opens up an exciting new world for someone who reminds us of Chris Daughtry.

5. Pia Easley: An atypical personality, look and name. This model/musician brings a different element than most contestants.

Another impressive American Idol audition, another growing controversy.

On the heels of Kristy Lee Cook moving on to Hollywood - despite signing a record contract in 2001 - it turns out that the (VERY) early American Idol favorite also has a professional background.

Kady Malloy came out with an album a few years ago, although it's been whitewashed from the Internet, likely by the Idol Powers That Be.

A post on the MySpace blog of indie music store Amie Street sums up Malloy as such: "Kady Malloy's powerful voice and Hip Hop-influenced pop songs bring to mind a cross between Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and The Pussycat Dolls.

Kady's been working with Nick Trevisick, a producer and writer for artists like Mandy Moore and Natalie Imbruglia, so remember: you heard her on Amie Street first!"

So, what do you think, fans? Do you mind that so many American Idol contestants this season have a professional resume?

Pia Easley - also known as "Zpia" - certainly has a unique look.

Take a look at her American Idol audition in Dallas below:

Here's our favorite contestant of the young American Idol season so far: Kady Malloy.

Check out her Britney Spears impression below, as well as her actual singing talent:

American Idol treated viewers to the usual train wrecks during its second night of auditions last night.

But here are three names from Dallas that stood out after the Simon Cowell insults and Paula Abdul compliments were complete:

- Colton Swon (pictured) sounds like a character on Days of Our Lives, but his rendition of Little Big Town's ''Boondocks'' reminded us a bit of Chris Daughtry. Know what we mean? American Idol spoilers have revealed that he plays the guitar in Hollywood, too. Cool.

- Kady Mallow was from Houston. She made us laugh with her imitation of Britney Spears' vocal technique - but then really blew the judges away with her rendition of The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." Simon went so far as to tell her: "I think, of all the people we've seen so far this year, you're the best."

- Alaina Whitaker possesses a voice of depth at the age of sizteen that was amazing. She didn't lack for confidence, either, as she compared herself to Carrie Underwood. Or, to be precise, Carrie Underwood to her. We liked the sass.