Join me here LIVE tonight as American Idol’s Top 11 perform hits made popular by members of the Grand Ole Opry.
While I know the Opry is all about country, it evokes images more of gospel country than “crying in my beer” country.I wonder if that, along with mentor Randy Travis, was a concious decision, given the rest of the overtly Christian elements on the show this season?
Either way, tonight’s show promised to be amazing; the song choices available to the contestants are really going to highlight their diverse talents. Randy Travis is tonight’s mentor, and Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley perform tomorrow.
So let’s get ready for some Opry Idol! Remember, I’m blogging live, so typos and random thoughts are par for the course.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day; I’m surprised they didn’t do U2 songs instead of Opry/country. OK, what’s with the new intros at the beginning of the show? Do we really need to see Simon in all of his jeans and crappy t-shirt glory standing awkwardly on the stage? I guess he’s just showing his enthusiam for country music night.
I think tonight will – hopefully – go past just country and offer contestants a lot of song choices. Let’s hope they make good choices. My David is a country fan so I’m relying on him tonight to let me know if these are good performances or not.
Texas native Michael Sarver is up first singing Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Going Down Till The Sun Comes Up”, and Randy says that his choice of songs doesn’t leave any room for error, with its excess of lyrics. He sings it well but he seems so intent on not missing words that he’s like a lyric-robot, just reciting the words. David says, “It sucked.” The judges don’t seem too thrilled, either. They’re impressed he remembered the words. They think he looked like he was having fun? Er, OK. Maybe I missed something? Simon says he couldn’t understand a single word and it was bit clumsy. OK, that I agree with. What I don’t agree with is Sarver’s sassy smart aleck comebacks. Time for him to go home, in my opinion.

Allison Iraheta is up next, singing “Blame It On Your Heart” by Patty Loveless. Randy Travis said she was going to be great, as long as she doesn’t do corny country dance moves. What can you say about Allison? She’s simply incredible, and the judges agree. Well, I think Paula did but she kind of rambled on in typical Paula fashion, spurring Simon to ask, “What did you mean by that?” Simon seemed to think Allison was struggling to remember the words and said she was verging on precocious. Then again he hates country. Randy called it “dope” and Kara said she could sing the alphabet well. My David said it wasn’t “her own” and sounded karaoke.
Kris Allen is singing “To Make It to My love” by Garth Brooks. Randy Travis says Kris is a strong ballad singer and thinks he’ll do really well, saying Garth would be proud. Wait, he’s singing without the guitar? He has such a great voice and he’s in his element with a ballad, and it was good without the guitar, just him sitting on a stool with just piano accompaniment. Paula is pleasantly surprised, calling it honest and pure and vulnerable, even thought it a bit pitchy in a few spots. Simon it was terrific and a “great, great, great choice” of song, saying Kris was completely in control, not over the top. Simon said it’s the first time he thinks Kris might have a shot at doing well this season. Randy agrees that it was a good chance and he pulled it off, calling him a “tender dawg”. (Simon said “a tender puppy.” Kara said it wasn’t Opryland, but very Kris Allen. Loved it, loved it. David wasn’t as crazy as Simon.
Ryan asks Lil Rounds what she thinks about country music, and she says the only country she knows is from movies, so she’s singing “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. in her mentoring session, Randy Travis tells her to sing it a little more slowly so she can get in her licks. I don’t think she looks comfortable at all singing this song. Her look is total R&B, and she sounds likes she’s struggling. Not a great song choice and she’s not singing it well at all. But let’s ask our resident country expert: David didn’t like it. cassie thinks the front of her dress looks like one of theose fancy napkins you get at the restaurant. Randy wasn’t thrilled and says it wasn’t comfortable. She explains she wanted to try soething different and show she cold stay other stuff; Randy says she could have picked a couple other songs. Lil defends her choice .. errr. Kara says they know she’s a great singer and there were other songs she could have chosen, but she gets props for picking a song she wanted. Paula loves it all, of course, but said she should have sang one verse and went to the chorus. Paula, Paula. Simon calls her “Little … Lil … which is short for Little”, and says it came over as one of those girls who have to sing at a wedding and is forced to sing a song someone requested. Lil interrupts him to say she wants people to see she can sing country, and he interrupts her to finish, and gives her some song choices she should have done. Let’s face it. Lil can’t sing country, and she should have picked a different song.
Adam Lambert is up next and he says it’s going to be signature Adam, even if it’s not self-disciplined. Of the mentoring session, Randy Travis says, “I’m speechless … I don’t know what to say about that boy.” Adam is singing a very unique version of “Ring of Fire”, complete with … sitar? Can you really mess with a Johnny Cash song like that and get away with it? I guess if Johnny cash can sing Nine Inch Nails, why not. There’s something bit unAmerican about punking out this song, but dang, he did it. It’s definitely Adam – definitely over the top, but well done. At least until the very weird end. Kara says she’s never seen that type of country performance, that it’s kinda strange but she kind of liked it. It left her confused and kind of happy. Paula says that he stands out as “true to himself,” and although it is country music week, it was a good choice, calling it “a bit Cashmere Led Zepplin”. Simon says, “What the hell was that?” and called it indulgent rubbish and “really, really horrific.” Randy says it’s Nine Inch Nails doing a country song. Makes sense. In the audience, Randy Travis is still speechless.
Scott MacIntyre is up with Martina McBride’s “Wild Angels.” Randy Travis says it might not be a good choice; vocally he was fine but something wasn’t quite right. But then Scott surprised him. OK, I don’t know this song but he’s doing a pretty good job. He doesn’t have the srongest voice but he sounds better tonight than I’ve heard him yet. Paula says it was impressive and lovely, and says that he works harder than most people on the stage. She tells him, though, that the piano might be a crutch that separates him from the audience – he quips “We can move it closer.” Simon says it’s a stupid idea and that Scott is comfortable behind the piano – OK, we’re having a good, old Idol spat! Finally! Simon says it’s more song choice. Randy butts in and says its not the song choice but he’s looking for the hot, crazy vocals, and it’s just been nice. Kara sums it all up with “We want you to up your game a little bit.” But she adds that he brings class and poise to the stage. Scott explains that he’s always working on arrangement and that he’ll surprise them sometime without the piano. Scott is so gracious and kind and gentle. He might not be the best singer but he is a great addition to competition.
Alexis Grace is up with Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” In the mentoring session, Randy Travis says she did a great job with the song and understands telling the story. Alexis starts her performance on the stairs, and the walk down makes her just a bit off; wow she really does look like Dolly Parton. OK, I don’t think this is a super great performance. Which is too bad because Alexis really does have a great voice. Randy isn’t sure she really hit the notes and tried to bend it a little too bluesy. Kara says she lost her edge. Paula says this song was effective for her because it was a more artistic approach. I think Paula is drunk tonight. Seriously. Simon says it was OK, but a little bit “sound alike” – Alexis interrupts and asks what that means, “sound alike” … er, you sound like the original singer? I hate to say it, but I’m thinking Alexis is going to go pretty soon, much as I love her.
After the break, Danny Gokey is going to sing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel”. In front of Randy Travis, Danny is a nervous mess. Randy says the parts he could sing were soulful. OK, why is Danny wearing a coat? Don’t love the outfit. He wasn’t super strong on the verse but belted out the chorus in famous Danny Gokey fashion. Not his best performance but still great. The crowd just erupts for him week after week. Kara says when he hits his stride, it’s “like none other.” She said the front half was unspectacular but the rest was great. Paula loves when artists builds a story and says it needs to build and it was brilliant and says Carrie Underwood would go out and buy his record. Oh brother. Simon disagrees with that but agrees that it needed to build, but hates his outfit. Simon says he looks like he’s going on a polar expedition. Randy agrees with Kara and says the verse was pitchy and needed to be supported better, but the rest was great.
OK, that new McDonald’s commercial with the fish on the wall singing about the fish sandwich is hilarious.
Anoop Desai is up next, and let’s see what he can do with “You’re Always On My Mind.” Randy Travis says he was little nervous about Anoop singing Willie Nelson, but after he heard Anoop he said it was “Gosh, man good” and says it’ll be the best anyone has heard from Anoop. Let’s see. He’s wearing a stupid hoodie jacket. Who is dressing these Idols this season? Seriously. It started a little iffy but thank you Anoop, for reminding us that you can sing! Paula says that Anoop is back, and the song fit him like a glove (ha ha, reference to Michael Jackson week). Simon says Anoop managed to go “from zero to hero” and it was one of his favorite performances of the whole night. He also credits Anoop for taking a “kicking” last week without whining, taking the advice and coming back; and Simon took back the comment about Anoop not deserving to be here. Randy says this is why they wanted him in the competition; loved the song and arrangement. Kara says it’ salmost an untouchable song and he pulled it off and it was maybe the best performance of the night because it was such a surprise. Ryan asks Anoop if he’s surprised by the comments and Anoop laughs and says “No, because I expect myself to do my best.”
Up next is Megan Corkrey, with “Walking After Midnight” and he says the song has been done a hundred different ways. But her version is unique, and if she nails every vocal lick it’ll be good. She has got the weiredest stage presence and she’s annunciating her words really oddly. But I have to admit: that’s the best I’ve heard her so far. She’s coughing as soon as she finishes. Randy says it wasn’t the train wreck he expected, and that it was good and bluesy and it actually worked. Kara says it was the perfect song and look, and that she’s a winner because she got up with the fu and sang. Paula says she’s been to the hospital and back and didnt’ do a run through, but it was fantasatic. Simon says she should have flu every week and she looks gorgeous. But he says whoever is styling her is taking away the quirkiness.
And last, in the money spot, Matt Giraud. He’s singing Carrie Underwood’s “So Small,” Randy Travis said he wasn’t sure it was a great choice, until he heard it sing a way different version he was surprised. Matt’s at the piano, and he sounds great. He’s such a professional. Great performance. Kara says it was amazing. Paula loves the … she tries to authenticity but can’t get it out. I think Paula loved it, and kudos to Carrie Underwood and … go take a nap, Paula. Simon says he doesn’t think Matt has gotten enough credit for his vocals and he thinks Matt outsang Danny and likened him to Michael Buble. Randy says it was his favorite performance of the night.
Ryan says, “We have ourselves a competition,” and I agree. There are some great contestants this season. So who’s going home tomorrow? I predict Michael Sarver or Alexis Grace.
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And if you want more American Idol show recap, visit my Idol blog at NewChristianVoices.com.
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