‘Idol’ singers take gamble on country night

Kellie Pickler, 19, Albemarle, N.C.:  Pickler sang Reba McEntire’s “Fancy,” about a teenage girl who gets dressed up, made up, and turned out of her home to, um, make her way in the world as best she can.  Given her genuinely sad familial background, she may well have meant it as a warning: “See what might happen to me if I don’t win this! Vote for me or I’m out on the street!” Regardless, she was one of the highlights of the night; it was a style she’s right at home singing and she looked the most comfortable of any of the contestants. Also, in a hard-hitting interview, Ryan asked Pickler if she really was the naïve country girl she claims to be, or if she was putting on an act. Much like the Chris Daughtry conversation last week, this was a clear sign that the “Idol” producers hear the negative buzz zipping its way across the Internet and are looking to nip it in the bud. Pickler did her part by saying that she was the real deal, and pointing out that there is indeed a silent “l” in “salmon,” so her mangling of the word made sense. How much more proof do people need?
Grade: B+
The judges: “It would have been a shocker if you didn’t do well tonight. I hated the song, personally, but I thought your performance was very good.”     —Simon Cowell.
Stay or go: Pickler hasn’t finished among the bottom three vote-getters yet, and it would be a big shock if that happened this week, given that the theme could not have suited her better.

Chris Daughtry, 26, McLeansville, N.C.: It’s a shame Daughtry had already covered Live’s cover of Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line” a couple of weeks ago. That forced him to sing a country song like an actual country singer this week. He picked Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us,” and while it won’t have the Nashville bigwigs beating down his door, it wasn’t a bad effort. As a bonus, he now knows a couple of salient facts: it won’t kill him to sing something besides alternative rock, but he shouldn’t expect Simon to shower him with praise for branching out even though he all but demanded it last week.
Grade: B
The judges: “You showed versatility and you still stayed true to who you are. What a concept!”     —Paula Abdul.
Stay or go: Daughtry’s in no real danger.

Katharine McPhee, 21, Los Angeles: McPhee was the second-lowest vote-getter last week, which was either a random glitch in the system or a sign that she’s in big trouble. Country music really isn’t her thing, but she did a nice, bluesy job with Faith Hill’s “Bringing out the Elvis.” The vocals weren’t great, but the performance was solid and she looked very comfortable onstage.
Grade: B
The judges: “You sang it very nice. Good job.”    —Randy Jackson
Stay or go: McPhee was in the bottom two last week, so she has cause to worry. Her performance was good enough to secure her safety, but she may just not be connecting with the audience in the same way that she is with the judges.

Bucky Covington, 28, Rockingham, N.C. : Country music should have been right in Covington’s wheelhouse, since he’s tried to make every week sound more like “Nashville Star” than “American Idol.” But faced with the enviable slot at the end of the show, with a style that should be his strength, he just managed a fair version of “Best I Ever Had,” a blah ballad even when a band like Vertical Horizon sings it live. The judges liked it anyway, but it was bland and boring and not at all the showstopping performance he may have needed.
Grade: C
The judges: “This is your element. Wear the hat proud.”     —Paula Abdul.
Stay or go: Covington’s status fluctuates wildly from week to week, as he flits from the bottom two vote-getters to safely placed in the top tier of singers. If that trend continues, he’s in trouble this week.

Craig Berman is a writer in Washington, D.C.

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