American Idol has gone country, choosing tonight’s songs from the catalogues of the Grand Ole Opry’s members. I have had the honor of singing on the Grand Ole Opry stage several times, a highlight of my career! The Opry has been very good to us Idol alumni. Carrie Underwood was inducted into this excusive club last year and many of my peers, including Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington and Josh Gracin are regular guests.
Country night was the week that I feel like I really hit my stride on the show. I obviously have soft spot for the Opry and country music, having released my first album in the country market. Thanks to all of you who bought the record this week. I re-entered the charts and those who ponder these things attribute it to this blog! Now on to Idol…
Some of tonight’s Idols honored country music’s greatest stage with their performances. Anoop Desai left the silliness and returned to solid singing with Willie Nelson’s “You Are Always On My Mind.” This performance reminded us that he is a great singer. His vocals saved him because if this performance was not great, he probably would have gone home tomorrow.
Allison Iraheta rocked out “Blame It On Your Heart.” I loved her raspy powerful vocals on this song. Thought it was great!
Kris Allen is winning me over, more and more each week. I thought his version of Garth Brooks’ Make You Feel My Love was a great song to highlight his talent. It was a simple and nice performance that will definitely carry him through to next week.
Matt Giraud sang Carrie Underwood’s “So Small.” He did a great soulful job but seemed a bit out of breath during the entire performance. I have been a Matt fan from the beginning and tonight is no exception.
Danny Gokey also sang Carrie Underwood.” My Christian brother was anointed while singing “Jesus Take the Wheel.” You could tell he was singing from his heart. I don’t see him coming to Nashville for country music but I hope he does join me in some aspect of the Contemporary Christian Music scene.
Lil Rounds and Adam Lambert probably will not be hitting Nashville’s Music Row for a country record deal anytime soon either.
Lil Round was the least comfortable we have seen her all season. She sang Martina McBride’s anthem “Independence Day.” I think there were better songs for her, as did the judges. I am waiting for the season when the “R&B” gal sings Rebecca Lynn Howard’s “Forgive.” LaKisha Jones would have blown it out of the water during my season.
Regarding Adam Lambert’s “Ring of Fire” let me first say that I am a Johnny Cash fan. I live in Johnny Cash’s hometown of Hendersonville, TN. My house is right off of the Johnny Cash Parkway. I just didn’t like this rendition of “Ring of Fire.” Honestly, I felt like Adam knew country wasn’t his thing so he just went completely over the top and a bit gimmicky/ tongue-in-cheek with his performance, ensuring everyone will be talking about him tomorrow. That, I can understand and can even respect; his version of “Ring Of Fire”…not so much. I couldn’t imagine him not sailing through.
I think that Scott MacIntyre and Michael Sarver will be in the bottom tomorrow. Both performances were just too forgettable.
So you think anyone from this crop of Idols will end up singing at the Opry? Did you love or hate Adam’s performance? Who do you think did the best tonight?
I will be writing my blog from the road for the next couple of weeks. I am actually on the “American Stars in Concert: Spring Break Tour” with Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glockson and Chikeezie. Check out www.philstacey.com to check out the dates. Hope to see you sometime soon!
7 Comments
Wonderful recap, Phil. I was actually almost imagining you coming out singing, “Where the Black Top Ends,” lol. You are missed, :-). I hope to see you and Danny on day touring together, too. 2 great Christian brothers together. I am a bit sad about your take on Michael and Scott. I loved the song. I would hate to not see either one go through. I prefer to see Megan gone, because I don’t think she is a great singer, period. Kellie Pickler did that song way better, IMO. I am glad for Anoop and I sure hope that Simon won’t make any more remarks about him like he did last week. As always, looking forward to your blogs, and praying for you all on the tour!
Phil, I forgot to add that possibly Michael could make it to the Opry, and maybe even Allison. Neither one, though, seems inclined to go that direction, so we may very well have one season where no one will go country.
Phil, the performances that I enjoyed the most tonight were Kris, Anoop and Matt. Danny is one of my favorites, but he seemed to be pushing it with his vocals. I just think Matt Giraud is so talented!! I have liked him from the beginning. I don’t know if I see any of these artists going the Nashville route, but I think Michael possible could. Congratulations on being back on the country charts where you belong. Your CD is awesome. I hope you have fun on the tour with Gina, Melinda and Chikeezie. Wish you were coming closer to Jacksonville so I could hear my phavorite recording artist again!!!
Wow! did Anoop ever turn things around! I thought he should have been gone last week, but tonights performance was superb.
I thought Danny did very well and couldn’t understand that someone of Karas musical knowledge didn’t realize that song needed to be set up before going full blast…
Adam is an amazing talent but tonight he gave me the feeling of evil, I didn’t like it at all. He could easily be a lead singer for any of the rock/metal groups out there right now though.
Lil was REALLY out of her element and should have tried to put a soul/bluesy feel on something else. Anybody that listens to Shawn Hannity was cringing while she was singing. lol
Overall, I think this is the best group of balanced talent since Idol started and it is going to be tough week to week.
I didn’t really care for Adam’s performance, but what choice did he have? He doesn’t have the right tone or personality for country music, so he had to do something different. Though I didn’t really like it, I think it kind of worked.
I know this is awful, but I can’t see why Scott was here in the first place. Other than the fact that he is a fantastic pianist, he falls flat. He just doesn’t measure up to the rest of them.
I really hated Adam’s version of “Ring of Fire”; I have really enjoyed his performances so far but last night he lost a lot of points with me. I respected that Lil wanted to honor the country genre and took a lot of hits for it. Maybe Adam should have done the same. It felt disrespectful in a way. Of course I’m just a country girl from Kentucky so who knows. I really enjoy Allison and Danny and hope to see them week after week!
You mention Bucky here and I wanted to say that Bucky Covington put out a record after American Idol. He had 3 top ten songs from that album as well. As a matter of fact, Bucky has a new single, \”I Want My Life Back\” that is due out the first part of April. I\’m sure it will be another top ten hit for him.