A few names to know for Season 8 (*Spoilers*)

IDOL LIVE has shied away from talking about the upcoming season in order to keep the focus on the news and activities of those that have transitioned from the show to actual careers in music because once the seasons starts that coverage will certainly take a hit. So I have saved all the pre-season spoiler stuff for now.

As you are all probably well aware, JoesPlace of JoesPlaceBlog.com is the place to go when you're looking for spoilers for all things Idol. With that, here are a few of the names you should get acquainted with before the auditions start so that you will be able to differentiate the fodder from the plants from the true talents:

Felicia Barton
Felicia Barton seems like a nice girl with a little experience with the music world. With a singing style (and looks) similar to Nelly Furtado, Felicia might have a hard time standing out from the crowd and could be placed into the "fodder" folder if she makes it through to the Top 36, but her version of Alicia Keys' "No One" is very good.

Terrence "T.K." Hash
Terrence "T.K." Hash made it to Hollywood last season. He's from Charlotte, N.C.

Ryan Paul August Johnson
Ryan "P.A." Johnson fronts a Christian rock band called instereo from Hamilton, Ohio. The band has toured many churches and youth groups nationwide among other concert events. Ryan, who is a father and railroad worker, recently appeared on Cincinnati's FOX 19 News to perform. He previously auditioned for the show four years ago.

Adam Lambert
A flamboyant theatrical stage performer and part time goth rocker, Adam Lambert will surely light up the screen on Idol. Some of his ventures have been a little less conventional than what most Idol fans are used to, so he might have a hard time finding a sturdy footing, not to mention the strong probability that Simon will hate him (think Danny Noriega on steroids). Look for him to have a lot of buzz (and major VFTW support).

Angela Martin
Angela Martin previously auditioned for Idol last season, when she sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and was unanimously sent through to Hollywood. The 27-year-old single mother with a daughter that has cerebral palsy certainly has a story, but her voice is another matter. Knowing that she makes the Top 50 gives her a good chance at going further this time around.

Joanna Pacitti
Joanna Pacitti has not yet been confirmed as a member of the Top 50 but it would be a huge surprise if she did not make it. Coming into the season with the most extensive resume and "plantiness," Joanna has previously released an album courtesy of Geffen Records called This Crazy Life.

The 24-year-old has also had songs featured on soundtracks like "Watch Me Shine" on the Legally Blonde soundtrack and "Out From Under" on the Bratz: The Motion Picture soundtrack, the latter of which was covered by Britney Spears for her latest album Circus. Before recording career, Joanna starred as Annie in the 20th anniversary of the musical Annie on a national tour but was replaced when the show opened on Broadway, which caused a national controversy in the mid-1990s.

Justin Williams
Justin Williams has experience in the recording studio and seems like he'd be a good bet for the Top 36, but Top 50 will have to do for now. There's video of him singing "The Prayer," the original "Adore You" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" at an Arizona Cardinals game on YouTube. He has a Josh Groban-esque voice.

Other potential contenders rumored to have made the Top 50 include Taylor Vaifanua, Brent Keith Smith and Lil Rounds. Others with familiar names that are rumored to have been cut before the Top 50 include Michael Castro (Jason's little brother), Sharon Wilbur, Alisha Dixon and Colton Swon.