American Song Contest is back, back, back again for heat four. After the jury had their say, the first act moving on to the next round is Washington’s Allen Stone.

There were 11 new acts taking to the stage to represent their state or territory (or, in this week’s case, federal district). They were each hoping to secure one of four qualification spots to the semi-finals.

American Song Contest heat four

Results

Four acts will ultimately qualify from the heat.

The professional jury selected one qualifier during the live programme. Coming out on top of the jury votes was Washington’s Allen Stone with his jazzy and soulful song “A Bit of Both”. He’ll now move on to the semi-finals.

The public now have three days to vote for their favourites and choose three other acts to advance.

During the show, we also found out who the televoters chose to qualify from last week’s heat three. It was Alabama, Colorado, and Texas who advanced.

Competing acts

  • New Hampshire: MARi – “Fly”
  • Nevada: The Crystal Method – “Watch Me Now”
  • Utah: Savannah Keyes – “Sad Girl”
  • Washington, D.C.: NËITHER – “I Like It”
  • Massachusetts: Jared Lee – “Shameless”
  • Georgia: Stela Cole – “DIY”
  • Hawaii: Bronson Varde – “4 You”
  • West Virginia: Alexis Cunningham – “Working on a Miracle”
  • Arizona: Las Marías – “De La Finikera”
  • Pennsylvania: Bri Steves – “Plenty Love”
  • Washington: Allen Stone – “A Bit of Both”

Are you happy to see Washington’s Allen Stone progress to the semi-finals of American Song Contest? Which other heat four acts are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments below.

76 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
2 years ago

Haven’t commented at all on the ASC so far but I will just say this: Seattle 2023. It’s done.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

I have to Google which state Seattle belongs to, but yeah agree.

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
2 years ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

Nah. Regardless of what state wins, I can imagine it’ll probably be in that studio in LA every year. If we get another edition, that is (I hope)

Mio
Mio
2 years ago

So far haven’t heard a song I want to hear a second time. there are so many things wrong with the ASC, but nothing else matters if the songs are boring.

Marie
Marie
2 years ago

Allen Stone just took this show to a whole new level. Led me to listen to his other music in the wee hours when I was not feeling well. I am a new fan. I also hope that Bri Steves from Philly advances next week

From
2 years ago

Probably all three Televote’s choice of this heat will be famale soloists…

Pauly
Pauly
2 years ago

so jewel did not qualify?

oh god this show is a borefest and the jury votes for boring songs. They need to make the voting transparent and exciting.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Pauly

According to Wikipedia, she was 9th on the jury scorecard and 5th overall last week. The viewers tried very hard to get her to the next round. I’d say she might have been 3rd or even 2nd in the public vote.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

Allen Stone and Hueston. The battle is starting to look that way…

And you know what else is starting to look that way? The 5 veterans and/or has-beens are being laid waste; and I’m starting to believe they were approached by NBC–DIRECTLY–to help draw viewers. If the Crystal Method and Sisqo don’t make it, Michael Bolton will be the only one. They had better not give a wild-card spot to any has-been who didn’t make it in these rounds. Let the up-and-comers have the stage the rest of the way.

Edmond Yamolo for ESC 2023
Edmond Yamolo for ESC 2023
2 years ago

as an american, i was excited for ASC even though i knew from the start it would flop. It still sucks,but i still watch it.

Sophia
Sophia
2 years ago

same lol I have been watching it, but overall it’s not that good…there are many ESC songs that get left in the semis that are better than most of the finalists so far

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Sophia

Unfortunately, that was exactly what I was thinking, after watching the first episode.

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

I am still hoping the semi-finals are better than this. The thing I can’t wrap my head around is that so many good songs are being left at the qualifying round (such as New York – Enisa, with Green Light).
America’s televote always tends to go towards a specific type of singer (such as Chayche Beckham from American Idol 2021)

I personally think they should have done 6 songs from each heat, for a total of 30 songs, split between the 2 semi-finals. Then, they could narrow it down to 15 songs in the final.

Jade
2 years ago

Im OBSESSED with Allen Stone

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

This week’s jury qualifier can literally win Eurovision, I feel like. The performance and vocals are just top-notch!

yannis
yannis
2 years ago

Another white male country song! White male privilege much for the juries

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  yannis

To be fair, this is jazz.

Jack
Jack
2 years ago
Reply to  yannis

This is jazz with a pinch of soul. Sounds very Teddy Pendergrass.

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
2 years ago
Reply to  yannis

You are very clearly not an american otherwise you’d know that song is not even remotely close to country

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

I’m pretty okey with this choice, but I have the feeling the jury is actually going for male middle-aged soloist (and songwriters). Which is fine for me but I don’t know about diversity…

Personally, I would have gone for Nevada’s The Crystal Method, West Virginia’s Alexis Cunningham or Pennsylvania’s Bri Steves.

Efthymios
Efthymios
2 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

To be completely honest with you, Washington was a contender for qualification from the start in this heat, since it’s a great, simple song but with an incredible vibe and quality, and Allen’s live performance was utterly flawless. I’ve literally never experienced a live performance before where the singer sounded *EXACTLY* like the studio version when he performed live. The similarities to the studio version are unbelievable. He was, BY FAR, the best yesterday, so much excellent that his performance elevated his entry to the maximum.

User2341
User2341
2 years ago

I’m pleasantly surprised at how well Nevada did with the juries as it was my favourite song of the night, but Georgia was absolutely robbed. I’m still shocked about Florida being a non qualifier with such a televote friendly song.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago
Reply to  User2341

Yeah Florida was probably my favourite of this season so far.

NotPatrick
NotPatrick
2 years ago
Reply to  User2341

You say televote friendly, but this isn’t eurovision, so we don’t know what is classified as televote friendly

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

It’s a shame Florida and New Jersey didn’t go through. Their songs grew on me so much and they have the potential to be a hit. Still, that last heat was one of the best, so it was tough to get through. I mean, even Jewel, who is supposedly one of the biggest names in this competition, couldn’t get through!

Lollipopmonster
Lollipopmonster
2 years ago

The American Song Contest is dead – and all of you know that. With less than 1.6 million viewers there will be no 2nd season next year.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

Not sure why you decided to bold this lol. If the show isn’t renewed next year, I won’t feel bad because that means I’m one of the lucky few who gets to experience live.

Pancake
Pancake
2 years ago

You do realize that they have the option of just moving it Peacock, right?

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Pancake

But then fewer people will know it even exists. Even with cable TV, we are way behind the curve here, as compared to Eurovision or even the old OTI Festival.

Efthymios
Efthymios
2 years ago

YEEEEEEES, MY FAVORITE QUALIFIED INSTANTLY THIS TIME! ? SECOND TIME IN A ROW WHERE I GUESS THE JURY WINNER OF A HEAT TOO!
Allen Stone’s entry is one of the best this year for me too so it really was a win-win situation! It’s so simple yet so incredible, turns out you only need a guitar, a piano and a fantastic, clear voice to create a masterpiece, 100x better than the mainstream entries! Can’t believe I’m saying this but, THANK YOU, US JURIES! ?????

Efthymios
Efthymios
2 years ago
Reply to  Efthymios

The question marks showing up were supposed to be heart emojis. <3<3<3

mega fuming
mega fuming
2 years ago

oh my god i’m literally raging at the horrendous jury taste. i understand those island winning heat 1 but HOW have they managed to choose 3 other horrendous songs which would flop at esc. i’m actually so fed up

Arby
Arby
2 years ago

This show is awful.

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

4th heat, 4th white male pulled through by the jury… imagine how tired we are. i also just found out that the other three qualifiers are 50-50 jury-televote and not the televote top 3 as i thought, which explains the tragic results so far. i really don’t get the point of this jury system

hqckk
hqckk
2 years ago

I think the jury needs to be a bit more open towards other music. This was a good heat to show that they’re warming up to other songs (eg crystal method coming 3rd) but there is still a LONG way to go. The white males keep sending songs which suck up to juries waaaay more than the televoters and they keep getting through. Having the 100% jury qualifier makes it a jury song contest and the people don’t really care for the show as a whole because their vote only counts for half of 75% of the qualifiers, meaning it’s… Read more »

Film4o
Film4o
2 years ago

Link for the full show, if anyone’s interested- https://streamtape.com/v/lPrrmg7q9At7YK7

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Film4o

Where’s Episode 3?

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Film4o

Never mind. I found it.

Pancake
Pancake
2 years ago

My thoughts for this heat: • Finally! Texas made it through. I’m kinda sad about New Jersey though. • Colorado qualifying is quite expected though, Riker and his brother has a huge fandom behind him but I’m not complaining. • New Hampshire: While not my favorite song, she really took notes from Eurovision for this one. Her confidence and presence alone brought the song up. • Nevada: I always convince myself that genres like Big Beat might not do well in Eurovision. But seeing the Crystal Method serving and slaying literally changed my mind. • Utah: I’ll be honest here,… Read more »

Karl
Karl
2 years ago

Arizona and Nevada

Phillybear
Phillybear
2 years ago

Georgia, Massachusetts, Hawaii, arizona

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

I think Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Georgia were pretty good!

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago

Welp my state’s out (Florida) XD

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago
Reply to  esc_fl

You guys had a good song! I was rooting for you (My favourite US state anyway regardless of song).

User2341
User2341
2 years ago
Reply to  esc_fl

They came 2nd with the jury so there is still hope that they will make it through.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  User2341

Probably not. According to Wikipedia, Ale Zabala finished 6th last week. My guess is that she finished 9th or 10th in the public vote to end up 6th. If they’re going to pick wild cards, they’re more likely to pick from people who finished 5th in their heat, with a showing way better than 9th in the public vote.

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

That’s the sad thing, only two wildcards are coming back and it’s more likely to be ones the public enjoyed more. I see New York, Louisiana, even Arkansas and the US Virgin Islands having a greater chance than Florida.

hqckk
hqckk
2 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

The songs with the most streams on spotify, apple music etc. will be wildcards. as of right now, from what i’m seeing, wyoming and minnesota are looking good, but thats just on spotify + they have had the longest time out so idk how they balance that.

sam
sam
2 years ago
Reply to  esc_fl

i live in south carolina lol we placed last so dont feel too bad

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago

Wow! Although Washington’s song wasn’t my thing, the singer had an incredible voice. I can see why the jury chose him. Sad for penn.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Lolek

QED. I told you Allen Stone was going to win this time. Much of his material that can be found on YouTube is what we call ‘Alternative R&B’. I first heard of him in 2011.

Frobou
Frobou
2 years ago

My votes go to all the women singing tonight, specially Georgia and West Virginia. As a US immigrant myself, the Arizona song wasn’t the best performance but the twins won my heart with their story. Awesome to see diversity even though that doesn’t seem to be rewarded by judges.

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago

Georgia, Nevada and Massachusetts have so far been my favourites tonight.

Theo
Theo
2 years ago

Oh Dear! The girls from Arizona “Las Marías” were just terrible! They didn’t sing. By the way that was NOT mexican music. That style is one called “ranchero” that is very popular among immigrants.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago
Reply to  Theo

they are literally the children of immigrants so i don’t really know what you were expecting here…

Theo
Theo
2 years ago

Most children from immigrants like things than americans do. Actually they are now americans. You can keep traces of your family culture, that is valuable and treasured. The song in case was just not typical.

Jay
Jay
2 years ago
Reply to  Theo

I am the child of Mexican parents who immigrated to the United States, and all my life I have been told I am neither American nor Mexican, so reading your comment I was very offended. Ranchero is Mexican music, it originated in Mexico and is beloved by the overseas Mexican community and beyond. We “immigrants” are just as equally Mexican as our native-born counterparts. Stop degrading us, you’re just ignorant; our culture is our culture.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

This whole conversation just shows how important this contest is to shine light on these sorts of things. Thanks!

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

You’re also just as “American” as Americans. Maybe even more American, because you seem to appreciate what it means.

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago
Reply to  Theo

The song wasn’t my type of music but I thought the performance was sweet.

Will
Will
2 years ago
Reply to  Theo

In what kind of bizarre world is Ranchera not Mexican music, it’s literally a traditional Mexican style of music that draws on regional folk styles.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago

Okay those arizona girls get props for not only having their song be almost entirely in spanish, but also for like…staying true to them and not trying to like, cater to mainstream and for using the stage in a different way than everyone else being in the center of the crowd like that. Also they seem like they’re pretty young to top it off :O 

ANYWAY shame on the juries for placing those girls that low though

Theo
Theo
2 years ago

Georgia was surprisingly good. The song was fun, she was on point.

Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago

Jury vote so far:
1 Massachussets
2 Nevada
3 Utah

So again a solo male singer at the top. I see a trend.
Dead last DC. Thank god, cuz that was messy.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago

the staging this week seems pared back compared to last week…

Theo
Theo
2 years ago

Nevada wasn’t bad. I remember “the Crystal Method” from the theme song TV show “Bones”. Performances are little better or maybe the sound improved. Kelly’s wardrove designer must be put in jail inmediatly!

Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago

Utah: Disney on Temple Square. Flawles voice, but damn that was boring

Essie
Essie
2 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

jury’s gonna love it then

Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago
Reply to  Essie

She is second now behind Nevada

Essie
Essie
2 years ago

I can’t watch live but according to Twitter, Texas got through. Yesss. The other two are Colorado and Alabama, not what i expected… too bad for Florida and Alaska. https://twitter.com/12PointsUSA/status/1513670465004388356?s=20&t=sxzVwF6ITG3fAEVi4xokZQ

Essie
Essie
2 years ago
Reply to  Essie

So out of 16 semi finalists so far, there’s 2 solo women and one half of a duo, 2 non-white men, the other 11/16 are solo white guys, most of them with boring ballads. This started out with a lot of diversity then left it behind in the qualifier rounds. https://www.goldderby.com/feature/american-song-contest-semi-finalists-1204905011/amp/

Sophia
Sophia
2 years ago
Reply to  Essie

Yup that’s ‘murica for ya ? most of my choices didn’t make it through

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago
Reply to  Essie

not surprised. they see this as just another talent show, so they put ‘talent show winner music’ through aka unseasoned ballads like kentucky

Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago

Did Jewel just nearly won the televote and ending up 5th after all? Guess she is gonna get the wildcard!
Btw: Dont understand the hate for the NH song. Loved it, happy, good singing, fun performance. Im giving her quite some points for sure.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago

I’m hoping the juries will be at least a LITTLE less predictable this week.

I’m also hoping Texas and Alaska make it to the semis. As for the final qualifier of heat three…idk? Regardless of my opinion I have a feeling it’ll be Florida…

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

I really like Florida’s song for some reason.