Finally, it was the local "American Idol" fans who had the power to choose. The show was live, and it was now "Houston Idol."

After a summer of watching Fox's American Idol performance elimination contest and calling toll-free numbers to vote on a favorite, Houstonians got to see the top 10 contestants perform live Monday night at the Compaq Center.

The show's finalists were all there, including champion Kelly Clarkson and tangle-haired runner-up Justin Guarini. The 2 1/2-hour variety show was supposed to be an opportunity for all the contestants to perform for a live audience of several thousand fans. But I knew better.

In lieu of the show's television judges - Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul - this was a chance to sit on the judge's panel.

First up was E Jay Day, one of the first finalists ousted on the show . . . and now we know why. Fluffing his Afro out to Guarini proportions (he's no dummy, that 'do went a long way toward Guarini's second-place finish) and sporting eyeliner like Marilyn Manson, Day took on Janet Jackson's Black Cat. He had the athleticism, but oh that eyeliner. It was like a Magic Marker went berserk and attacked.

At least he had the good sense not take on a Motown classic. Wearing white linen, Jim Verraros performed a homogenized version of Lionel Richie's Easy while A.J. Gil went over the line turning Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour into a Latin percussion jam.

Guys, guys, linen went out with Miami Vice, and you never, ever mess with Motown. Next.

The biggest early applause of the night went to R.J. Helton, but he he was born in Houston and had a definite hometown advantage. After singing Wonder's Lately with proper Motown funk, he was name-calling his friends in the crowd. Had he shown this much enthusiasm on the show when he sang this song he might have lasted a while longer.

I'd give Helton the early advantage if Tamyra Gray had not come out and stolen the crowd. Choosing I'm Every Woman as her opener, she grabbed the young ladies with her choice of songs and the smattering of young men with her slinky costume. Clarkson may have been the winner, but Gray is definitely "most photogenic." Popular Fox drama Boston Public thinks so, too. The show signed her as an addition to the cast.

After the first eight finalists challenged him again, Guarini pulled out just the type of secret weapon that nearly won him the title (no, not the hair). Sitting in front of a small organ, he crooned a slow and confident version of Oleta Adams' hit Get Here.

He took the lead, not only for being the most vocally pleasing but for being the only contestant to join the band as a musician. He was good, but fans wanted the champ.

"Whoooo. I love you Kelly!" screamed Brett Chisholm, 21, a University of Houston student.

Clarkson, the Burleson native and American Idol champion, wasn't going to go down easy. Choosing Aretha Franklin's Respect, (a tune that must rank among the most beloved rock sing-alongs of all time) she had the crowd in her corner. It's not hard to see seduced pop crowds sending her song A Moment Like This to the top of the singles charts.

She loses the Houston competition, however, for failing to sing her first hit.

So who takes the crown as Houston's "American Idol?" I say Guarini, but the real winner is an arena full of young fans introduced to an entire catalogue of R&B's most important tracks sung by faces they recognize.

Still, it's strange to think that one of these kids will one day remember Let's Stay Together as a song sung by Guarini.