2 more SC singers move onto next week’s ‘American Idol’ competition

It was an emotional night on “American Idol” Monday with one singer leaving a duet partner, another almost leaving, an heirloom guitar breaking and forgotten lyrics.

But for two singers from South Carolina it was as flawless as a summer day at the beach.

Country singers Warren Peay of Bamberg and Preston Duffee of Hartsville made it through to the next round.

Peay sang with Hannah Nicolaisen, a Houston native with an eclectic background in various sciences, volleyball and of course, singing.

Peay is a refrigerator repairman and worship leader for Colston Branch Baptist Church with long hair and longer beard who Katy Perry described during his audition as authentic.

They sang the Tim McGraw song “It’s Your Love.”

Judge Luke Bryan said he felt magic between the singers and praised them for taking an old song and making it their own.

They easily went through to the Showstopper round to be broadcast next Sunday and Monday.

Duffee sang with Jon Wayne Hatfield, who he met when they auditioned in New Orleans. They became close friends and even got matching tattoos on their wrists. They called themselves the Camo Cousins and of course both had on caps and camo.

They did something few undertake — they sang a song recorded by one of the judges, Bryan’s “Buy Dirt.”

They figured it was paying homage.

Part way through the song Perry encouraged them to give more energy and noted when they finished, “I was coming with a cattle prod next.”

The gamble worked for Duffee but now so much Hatfield, who did not make it to the next round.

Afterward, Hatfield told Duffee he wished him nothing but the best.

Mariah Faith of Conway, who was selected Sunday night to continue, did not perform Monday.

Next week will be the Showstopper round on Sunday and final judgment on Monday when the field of 54 contestants is reduced to 26. This week’s episodes were filmed in December with only the other singers in the audience.

Next week, also filmed at the Los Angeles Theater, will include a studio audience.

Voting by the public begins with the April 16 episode at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii with singers being cut until three are still standing for the finale on May 21.

Other South Carolina singers selected for Hollywood week were Aiden Adair of Clover, Tripp Taylor of Florence, Janora Brown of Lake City, Brayden Philips of Lancaster, and Ophrah Kablan of Clio.