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Tag Archives: American Idol
Calling All Kelly Clarkson Country Critics!
If you are a frequent visitor of this website, you know that the staff here recognizes, appreciates, and, well, flat out loves us some Kelly Clarkson. We have always embraced her as a country music stepchild and, now, country music itself has made it more official and has clearly adopted her into their family. However, it seems that some country music fans out there are struggling with the genre’s “newcomer.” We would love to say we understand the conundrum, but we don’t. Maybe it is because we know Kelly’s relationship with country music isn’t nearly as new as people may believe. In fact, to us, it was only a matter of time before pop-rock, man bashing Kelly turned the corner and embraced her musical roots. So, for all of you nay-sayers out there, we have compiled a Top 10 list to show you just why Kelly Clarkson going country makes perfect sense.
Keith Urban Turned Down Idol
Keith Urban has been a pretty busy back Down Under. He’s serving as one of the coaches for Australia’s version of The Voice. Maybe it was that experience in a reality show’s big chair that American Idol producers were attracted to when they approached Keith as a replacement on the new season of Idol. In an interview with a New Zealand radio station, Keith admits that he turned down Idol to work on his brand new album. He didn’t think he could do both and his priority was to get new music out to fans first.
Keith did admit that he’d love to do a second season of Australia’s The Voice, which he says there will be a second season, but his commitment is on if he can get his album completed first.
“They did reach out to us, but they’ve been reaching out to a lot of people. I think they’re still figuring out which way they’re going to go too. All I can say right now is that I’m trying to make an album and it’s strange how these opportunities seem to come in one big loop. My priority right now is just making an album, that’s really gonna leading the charge right now.”
Keith will be working with people he’s never worked with before on his new album. He shares:
“I started writing with different people that I’ve never worked with before, so I’m really enjoying the process. This one’s different for me, I’m going about it a different way, I wanted to be in the studio with musicians and collaborative people I’ve never been in the studio with before. In many ways this is kind of like the first one of the next chapter, if you will. It’s a new thing for me.”
Are you excited for Keith’s new album? Would you have loved to see him on Idol? Let us know!
Just a Dream On
All of you American Idol viewers out there know that, as sure as Randy Jackson is to call a contestant “Dawg,” Steven Tyler is just as likely to tell that contestant that he/she/the performance was “beautiful.” So, it should come as no surprise that Steven is releasing a new song, cleverly titled “Beautiful” (bet you didn’t see that coming!).
However, there is an unexpected addition to that announcement. You might also recall one of American Idol’s most beautiful contestants – both in looks and in vocals – Carrie Underwood. Carrie, one of country music’s biggest superstars, is teaming up with Steven on the new track, “Beautiful,” to create what Steven calls a “country-Western crossover ballad.”
I don’t know about all of you out there, but I feel like a duet like this could truly only be “just a dream” and that the rocker/country girl duo would say “dream on!” to anybody who ever predicted this pairing. However, that dream is becoming a reality when Aerosmith’s new album, “Music From Another Dimension!” is released in November of this year!
Brad Paisley Joining American Idol?
Rumors have been flying for days now on who will be the replacement for Steven Tyler on American Idol next season, and many country stars have found their names in the mix. A report out now from Deadline is saying that Brad Paisley is being strongly considered for the new judge on the hit reality singing competition.
Brad has performed on American Idol in the past, and co-hosts the Country Music Association (CMA) awards with former winner Carrie Underwood. There’s been quite a few successful country acts to come from Idol – Kelly Clarkson, Kellie Pickler, Carrie, Casey James, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, all started their careers on the show.
Brad’s former tour mate, Blake Shelton, is currently one of the four coaches on The Voice.
What do you think about Brad being a judge? Do you think it will steal viewers back from The Voice or are you sick of Idol?
Kelly Clarkson Singing Carrie Underwood’s Praises
Original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson might be one of the few not vying for the judge seat for American Idol, but she’s backing one other winner for the role. In a recent interview with US Weekly, Kelly admits that she believes Carrie Underwood would be perfect as the replacement for Jennifer Lopez. In her interview, when asked about if she thought Carrie would be a good judge for the reality competition, Kelly said:
“She would! Didn’t she major in journalism or something? And she can have that face . . . that bluff face! She can put that on! She would be good.”
Kelly probably knows what she’s talking about after being part of three different reality singing competitions. The original winner of Idol, she served as an adviser to Team Blake Shelton on the second season of NBC’s The Voice this year before mentoring her own team on ABC’s Duets. That doesn’t mean that Kelly would want the Idol job, she explains:
“I don’t want to be a judge. Mentor is more my style. And not just mentoring, getting to be a part of the song with them, getting them amped up — from our rehearsals to stage, it’s so exciting being onstage. It’s fun!”
What do you think about Carrie becoming an Idol judge? Do you think she would fit in beside Randy Jackson?
DVR Alert: Scotty McCreery To Return To Idol On Tuesday and Wednesday
American Idol Season 10 Winner Scotty McCreery will make his way back to the Idol stage on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Season 11 finale episodes on FOX.
On Tuesday, Scotty will sing “Please Remember Me,” the song he recorded as this season’s “goodbye song,” which was played each time a contestant was eliminated. On Wednesday, he will help celebrate the winner of Season 11.
“I am so excited about going back to American Idol and seeing everyone again,” he says. “I hope to spend some time with the finalists, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez, and share some of my experiences with them. I can’t believe that it’s been a year since I was in their shoes.”
VIDEO: Luke Bryan Delivers Good Luck Wishes to “American Idol” Contestant Phillip Phillips
Luke Bryan is excited about his fellow Leesburg, Georgia native Phillip Phillips being in the Top 3 on “American Idol”. This afternoon, he posted a video to his Facebook page to wish Phillip luck in tonight’s Semi-Finals elimination round.
Watch the short clip here!
VIDEO: Skylar Laine Performs on Live! With Kelly
Last Thursday, America had a bit of a shocker as American Idol said goodbye to 5th place country spitfire Skylar Laine. This morning she made her way to Live! With Kelly in NYC to perform “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” by Kellie Pickler. Skylar calls her fans “SKOUTLAWS” and Kellie joined in on the fun today on twitter to show her support.
@KelliePickler:
@SLaineAI11 What a nice surprise…I’m watching@LiveKelly & you just sang my song again! You did GREAT! I’m definitely a “ScoutLaw!” ;)@KelliePickler: Oh crap! I mean “Skoutlaw!” ha ha!
@SLaineAI11: @KelliePickler: I love that song so much! Thank u so much 4 sayin youre a SKOUTLAW! Ur music means ALOT 2 me so thank u 4 bein an inspiration
Perhaps we’ll see Sklyar make an appearance at this year’s CMA Music Festival? Country music showed great support to Idols Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina last year and even though Skylar was voted off in 5th place instead of winning or coming in 2nd, we foresee her as also having great success!
Do you want to see Skylar at CMA Fest this year? Let us know what you think! We here at Keepin’ It Country would love to see her there!
Photo courtesy of Live! With Kelly
VIDEO: Carrie Underwood Returns to American Idol
Carrie Underwood made her big return to the American Idol stage last night for a performance of her title track from her new album “Blown Away.” Carrie’s fourth album was released this week with a great review from Ian Ewing here at Keepin’ it Country, so after checking out Carrie’s live performance below make sure you read why we love Carrie’s new album and think it’s her best yet.
DVR Alert: Carrie Underwood Performs on American Idol TONIGHT
It’s a busy TV month for Carrie Underwood! Tune in tonight to see her return to the American Idol stage on Fox at 8:00pm ET/ 7:00pm CT. After Idol, Carrie’s next appearances will be on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 9th, Jimmy Kimmel on May 10th, and ABC’s Dancing With The Stars on May 15.
Earlier this week, Carrie announced the dates for her Blown Away Tour which kicks off with her first United Kingdom show in London. For dates and more info on where to purchase tickets, head on over to www.carrieunderwood.fm.
