Jake Thistle brings Jersey Shore to ‘American Idol’

Jake Thistle may have been in Hawaii on “American Idol,” but he was thinking of the Jersey Shore.

Thistle’s spirited performance of Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” on the Monday, March 16 episode of “American Idol” was performed with Sea Hear Now festival in mind, said Thistle to the Asbury Park Press.

“I was super excited for this Beach Round,” said Thistle, a 21-year old Paramus native who often plays in Asbury Park music venues. “I had a great time at all the rounds before but this was the one that felt the most like an outdoor fun Sea Hear Now-esque music festival, which is sort of my backyard, and that’s something I’d really love to do so it meant the world that I got to make it to that round.”

The Sea Hear Now festival, which features greats of music from Green Day to Bruce Springsteen, takes place in September on the Asbury Park North Beach. This year’s lineup has not been announced yet.

Thistle’s “Power of Love” was the second performance on Monday’s episode, filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu, Hawaii. It was a hit.

“It felt like a party out here,” said guest judge KeKe Palmer. “You saw how all the girls were screaming.”

“Did I detect this sexy Jake?” said judge Lionel Richie. “And then, did you notice judges, I’ve never seen you with your ugly face. That means you’re singing your heart out, man. I mean, honestly, that’s what I’m looking for man.”

Guest mentor Brad Paisley had suggested that Thistle emote more on stage.

“Jake makes it effortless and sometimes you want to make it look hard,” Paisley said.

“Power of Love” was a contrast to the mid-tempo songs Thistle had previously performed on the show, including his original, “Sleep on Me.”

“I showed the mellow side of me,” Thistle said. “I auditioned acoustic and now it’s time to pump up the fun and it was a daytime performance on the beach in Hawaii in front of the amazing judges and incredible crowd at the resort who came in, standing room. Full band, so everything for this was it’s going to be a party, this is going to be a lot of fun.”

The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park hosted a Thistle “American Idol” viewing party on Monday.

Thistle is in the Top 20 and 10 contestants performed on Monday’s episode, followed by a public vote from 8 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. The next 10 contestants will perform Monday, March 23, also followed by a public vote.

The “Idol” live performance episodes will begin after the Hawaii episodes. “American Idol” airs 8 p.m. Mondays on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

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