The eleven remaining contestants on American Idol Tuesday night took on the country music of the Grand Ole Opry. Helping out the singers tonight was one of my favorite country artists, Randy Travis. (Love his voice! But when did he get so old?)
Kicking things off was Texan Michael Sarver. He seemed really comfortable singing and had a great time on stage.
Allison Iraheta proved that she can sing the phone book. This kid – she’s 16! – just has it.
A sweet slow song was the choice of Kris Allen. I thought he did a really nice job and it was a good change of pace.
Lil Rounds, an R&B singer, had a hard time singing country. I guess she doesn’t realize how closely connected the two genres are. She sang it much too straight.
By contrast, Adam Lambert stayed true to his style. Love or hate it, it was Adam. But it wasn’t country.
Scott MacIntyre has some pitch problems in his lower register, but otherwise did a good job.
Singing Dolly Parton was Alexis Grace. She did a decent job but again, didn’t stay true to her style.
Danny Gokey sang a Carrie Underwood hit. It wasn’t his best performance.
Taking on a Willie Nelson hit was Anoop Desai. He truly made the song his own.
“Walkin’ After Midnight” was the choice of Megan Joy Corkrey. I think the song was too low for her, probably done because she was performing with the flu.
Closing out the night was Matt Giraud, who also chose to sing a Carrie Underwood tune. He did well.
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I think the weakest two performers tonight were Lil and Danny. Someone is going home Wednesday night.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I couldn’t figure out what Adam was singing? I kept waiting to hear something that sounded close to Johnny Cash’s clasic buringin ring of fire, instead I hear what sounded like a cat cought between the storm door and the steel door. Good voice, but, weird, very weird!