"Country Theme"

[sxmng]

What would you like to hear the contestants sing?

[RushDog]

Bucky - anything by Travis Tritt
Taylor- Ray Charles version of "Georgia"
Kelly- "Coal Miner's Daughter" or any other Loretta Lynn Song
Mandisa- "Don't It make My Brown Eyes Blue"

I don't care what the other Idols sing.

[IdolMe]

This is great.... my wife and I were talking about this a few days ago. I would like to see.......

Chris - Garth Brooks

[AbsentElement]

Bucky - anything by Travis Tritt
Taylor- Ray Charles version of "Georgia"
Kelly- "Coal Miner's Daughter" or any other Loretta Lynn Song
Mandisa- "Don't It make My Brown Eyes Blue"

I don't care what the other Idols sing.

I agree, Bucky might do well with Travis Tritt. But has anyone hear Don't Ask Me How I Know by Bobby Pinson? It was near top of the charts last year. They have the same sort of rugged voice. "Like a John Deer Tractor with a Jet Engine." That song would suit him well. Bobby has another more recent release called "Way Down." It's got a sort of Tom Petty feel to it. Bucky would do well with that one too.

As for Taylor, I agree. I actually have a recording of him doing a 7-minute long version of Georgia (and playing guitar). It's my favorite recording that he's done, by far.

I've been saying this all along and looking forward to this theme. Kelly should do something by Shania Twain. Put on some Rocky Mountain jeans, put her hair up in a pony tail, and have some fun.

Katharine should find a Faith Hill song. Period. Anything by Faith would suit her. Katharine, stay away from Trisha Yearwood. It'd be sweet if she could pull off a solo version of Faith's duet with hubby Tim.

Ace should find something uptempo and "in" with the younger country crowd, like "Fast Cars and Freedom" by Rascall Flatts.

Elliot will have a tough week with this theme, but he might be able to reel in some extra votes if he could pick something near and dear to the hearts of country fans and perform it well, like "Cadillac Cowboy" by Chris Ledoux.

Mandisa might think of something by Wynonna (no, this is not a reference to her weight). They both have very powerful voices. And Wynonna has a big following.

Paris should do "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert. It's young and fun, but this is going to be a tough theme for Paris too.

I fear for Chris this week. I'm thinking "Livin' in fast forward" by Kenny Chesney, but Chris isn't really a "Hillbilly Rockstar" as the song denotes. He might be able to pull something off like "Celebrity" by Brad Paisley.

Anyone agree/disagree with these? I'd love to hear some other ideas.

[cloie4me]

Bucky - anything by Travis Tritt
Taylor- Ray Charles version of "Georgia"
Kelly- "Coal Miner's Daughter" or any other Loretta Lynn Song
Mandisa- "Don't It make My Brown Eyes Blue"

I don't care what the other Idols sing.

You nailed it. I would love to see this happen.

[jkshaw23]

I would like to see Taylor do some old T. Graham Brown. Maybe Hell and High Water....

[idolsmidol]

Katharine could do Martina McBride, Faith Hill, LeeAnn Rimes. Heck, she has the voice to do just about anyone. WOW, what about I will always love you written by Dolly Parton and covered by Whitney Houston?

[laraine]

I agree, Bucky might do well with Travis Tritt. But has anyone hear Don't Ask Me How I Know by Bobby Pinson? It was near top of the charts last year. They have the same sort of rugged voice. "Like a John Deer Tractor with a Jet Engine." That song would suit him well. Bobby has another more recent release called "Way Down." It's got a sort of Tom Petty feel to it. Bucky would do well with that one too.

As for Taylor, I agree. I actually have a recording of him doing a 7-minute long version of Georgia (and playing guitar). It's my favorite recording that he's done, by far.

I've been saying this all along and looking forward to this theme. Kelly should do something by Shania Twain. Put on some Rocky Mountain jeans, put her hair up in a pony tail, and have some fun.

Katharine should find a Faith Hill song. Period. Anything by Faith would suit her. Katharine, stay away from Trisha Yearwood. It'd be sweet if she could pull off a solo version of Faith's duet with hubby Tim.

Ace should find something uptempo and "in" with the younger country crowd, like "Fast Cars and Freedom" by Rascall Flatts.

Elliot will have a tough week with this theme, but he might be able to reel in some extra votes if he could pick something near and dear to the hearts of country fans and perform it well, like "Cadillac Cowboy" by Chris Ledoux.

Mandisa might think of something by Wynonna (no, this is not a reference to her weight). They both have very powerful voices. And Wynonna has a big following.

Paris should do "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert. It's young and fun, but this is going to be a tough theme for Paris too.

I fear for Chris this week. I'm thinking "Livin' in fast forward" by Kenny Chesney, but Chris isn't really a "Hillbilly Rockstar" as the song denotes. He might be able to pull something off like "Celebrity" by Brad Paisley.

Anyone agree/disagree with these? I'd love to hear some other ideas.


Here's my choices for what its worth :)

Kellie - Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson
Elliott - I can love you like that - John Michael Montgomery
Ace - Amazed - Lonestar
Bucky - T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Travis Tritt OR anything by Big and Rich
Paris - Crazy - Patsy Cline
Katharine - You're Still the One - Shania Twain
Mandesa - I will always love you - Dolly Parton (not the hideous Whitney version)
Taylor - would agree with Georgia, is it actually a country song? I've never been sure on that one
Chris - The Drinking Bone - Tracy Byrd

[tinsong]

This is great.... my wife and I were talking about this a few days ago. I would like to see.......

Chris - Garth Brooks
I thought the same thing!!!! An up-beat Garth Brooks song by Chris. I can't wait for the country theme performances - cuz I like country.

[tinsong]

You nailed it. I would love to see this happen.
Very good suggestions! What about Katharine doing a Martina McBride song? She's got the voice.

[tinsong]

Katharine could do Martina McBride, Faith Hill, LeeAnn Rimes. Heck, she has the voice to do just about anyone. WOW, what about I will always love you written by Dolly Parton and covered by Whitney Houston?
You're right - Katharine can sing just about anything! I hadn't thought of Whitney Houston......

[froggiegurl]

i think you guys are right katharine could do a martina, faith, or shania song. she is all around really good.

[RushDog]

I thought of a couple of other songs for Bucky:

"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" by Waylon Jennings
"Guitar Town" by Steve Earle

[AbsentElement]

Thought of a couple more...

For Paris, "Something's gotta give" by LeAnne Rimes.

For Ace, "Back at One" by Mark Wills. This would work for Elliot too.

Ace could also do "God must have spent a little more time on you" (Alabama/NSYNC), but then, would he be ripping off a cover of a cover? (hehe).

[jkshaw23]

I think Georgia would be considered a soul or R&B tune. But! I think Willie did a cover of it......... so there....it's country!

[AbsentElement]

I think Georgia would be considered a soul or R&B tune. But! I think Willie did a cover of it......... so there....it's country!

No! Not another cover of a cover! That would stir up national controversy! :)

I think Georgia would be considered a soul or R&B tune.

That's exactly why he should do it. I've heard him do it. He does a fantastic rendition of Georgia.

[RushDog]

I always considered it a country song. I always heard Ray sing it on the country stations growing up. No matter what he sings, Simon will probably hate it because he hates country music.

[ms_suzyq_2u]

What would you like to hear the contestants sing?

I would love to hear Taylor sing the Travis Tritt song - T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!! That would be a hoot to hear how he makes that song his own!

[ms_suzyq_2u]

I always considered it a country song. I always heard Ray sing it on the country stations growing up. No matter what he sings, Simon will probably hate it because he hates country music.

Well, Simon is going to "ABSOLUTELY HATE it" (said in Simon Cowell voice) on Tuesday then!

[cloie4me]

I think Chris could pull off...George Jones, "He stopped loving her today"
Taylor would do a good version of "Did you happed to see the most beautiful girl" (not sure of exact title)

[Idoleyes]

I agree, Bucky might do well with Travis Tritt.

As for Taylor, I agree. I actually have a recording of him doing a 7-minute long version of Georgia (and playing guitar). It's my favorite recording that he's done, by far.

I've been saying this all along and looking forward to this theme. Kelly should do something by Shania Twain. Put on some Rocky Mountain jeans, put her hair up in a pony tail, and have some fun.

Katharine should find a Faith Hill song. Period. Anything by Faith would suit her.

Ace should find something uptempo and "in" with the younger country crowd, like "Fast Cars and Freedom" by Rascall Flatts.

Elliot will have a tough week with this theme, but he might be able to reel in some extra votes if he could pick something near and dear to the hearts of country fans and perform it well, like "Cadillac Cowboy" by Chris Ledoux.

Mandisa might think of something by Wynonna (no, this is not a reference to her weight). They both have very powerful voices. And Wynonna has a big following.

Paris should do "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert. It's young and fun, but this is going to be a tough theme for Paris too.

I fear for Chris this week. I'm thinking "Livin' in fast forward" by Kenny Chesney, but Chris isn't really a "Hillbilly Rockstar" as the song denotes. He might be able to pull something off like "Celebrity" by Brad Paisley.

Anyone agree/disagree with these? I'd love to hear some other ideas.


Some great suggestions AE....here are some of my thoughts.

Chris – Now is a strategically good time for a complete departure for Chris from the hard-edge style that he has been showing. His fan base is such that he is not in danger of being in the bottom three no matter what he does – so he might as well take this opportunity to showcase a softer side/touch – strike the emotional cord with the audience – I’m Moving On by Rascal Flatts comes to my mind - the lyrics seem to suit him too. Otherwise, I’d recommend Walking in Memphis if he didn’t want to go too ‘soft’.

Ace – Somebody Like You – Keith Urban; upbeat tempo – good vocal range for him

Bucky – I agree Travis suits Bucky well. Trouble or Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde; or how about I like It, I Love It by Tim McGraw

Kellie – She's got a lot of choices this week - Stand by Your Man – Patsy Cline; Independence Day – Martina McBride
Honey I’m Home; Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain and someone suggested Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson, that would be good for Kellie too.

Taylor - Amazed – Lonestar – I agree Taylor does an amazing job on his version of Georgia but it is one of his signature pieces and I think he’ll save that song until later in the show when he feels he’s in danger of being eliminated, which should not be for a while yet.

Katharine - Katharine needs a powerful vocal performance this week to remind the voters how good she is - I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton – or How Far – Martina McBride

I'm struggling with suggestions for the last three....

Elliott – Help Me Make It Through the Night - ??

Mandisa – Broken Wing – Martina McBride

Paris - sorry - I just can't come up with one for Paris...

Country is not my strong suit of music genres - although I love so many of the country songs that are out there.

I'd be interested in feedback from those closer to country music as to whether my selections are appropriate - and what they would suggest.

[Paula is My Idol]

I thought the same thing!!!! An up-beat Garth Brooks song by Chris. I can't wait for the country theme performances - cuz I like country.
me too! I LOVE COUNTRY!! Its my fave choice of music to listen to. I'm anxious to see how the idols do, I think Chris, Mandisa and possibly Ace will do the best. I don't know, Elliot is usually pretty good too. I would love to see a girl do this song called High Horses by Shannon Brown, its a good one. Simon definitely needs to hear it! lol

[Pick_Pickler]

Katharine: Concrete Angel - Martina McBride

Paris: There You'll Be - Faith Hill or maybe Sin Wagon - Dixie Chix

Kellie: Up! - Shania Twain

Mandisa: Broken Wing - Martina McBride

Taylor: Your Cheating Heart - Frankie Lane

Ace: Amazed - Lonestar

Taylor: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson

Elliot: I Can Love You Like That - John Michael Montgomery

Bucky: Your Cheating Heart - Frankie Lane

[nixxey]

Alabama for Taylor i thinck he could do aswsome with a fun song like that.

[laraine]

I don't know why but I got a sneaky feeling that Taylor may try some old country, and as Kenny Rogers is guesting on the show, maybe one of his tracks, possibly Lady, given that he is a big Lionel Richie fan also. Whoever would have thought Lionel Richie writing a country song...