Update: Randy Travis will also be mentoring the kids, as well as performing.
I’m pulling this out of comments, it’s from the Grand Ole Opry mailing list.
Grand Ole Opryo Week on American Idol
Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s top-rated television show is about to join forces for a week with the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Show That Made Country Music Famousà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ! American Idol will feature a Grand Ole Opry theme on March 17 & 18, as contestants will select and perform songs popularized by Opry members!
In addition, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will sing together on Randyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s classic hit and Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s current single, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I Told You So,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ plus Brad Paisley will make the television debut of his new single, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Then,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ from his forthcoming summer album.
There were some spoilers about this from Vote for the Worst that included a long song list, let me go dig that out…
ETA: The song list from Vote for the Worst HERE.
Anoop will knock it out of the park next week. He said so himself. I dont understand why people (on other sites) are already calling his failure this week. These are the songs that I can EASILY think he can do amazing on.
Alison Krauss – When You Say Nothing At All
Dierks Bentley – Come A Little Closer
Josh Turner – Your Man
Garth Brooks – The Dance
Trace Adkins – You’re Gonna Miss This
Travis Tritt – I’m Gonna Be Somebody
Travis Tritt – Tell Me I was Dreaming
Vince Gill – I Still Believe In You
I’m so excited for the Carrie/Randy duet. I love Carrie’s version it’s my favorite on Carnival Ride.
If anyone touches I will Always Love you I hope it’s a guy. I wanted Jason to sing it last year, but no luck. Honestly, I think Kris Allen or Anoop could do a fun spin on the song.
As for Megan and Patsy…I think she should stay away from anything that is going to sound kareoke.
That’s just me.
Also, I wanted to add that I’m not sure if this is going to be dedicated to just the members of the Grand old Opry or people that preform on the show regularly. For example, Dolly Parton was never a member but as my dad pointed out to me it basically was the start of her career when she went there to sing with Porter Wagner. Loretta Lynn was never actually a member either, according to this list. However, she was a regular performer on the show. Modern artists such as Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are technically not on the show..but are also there often. I think the Grand Old Opry is a much better theme than just general country night…much of the music is in a higher quality league than ummm certain artists with the initials T.S. who I shall not mention is constantly played on the radio.
Also, it’s fair to say while artists like Ms. Cline and Johnny Cash are technically country they both have sounds that have gone on to influence all types of music. Patsy’s music especially sounds much more like basic jazz/blues than country to me.
According to the Opry press release, the contestants have to sing songs popularized by Opry members.
Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are all members of the Opry. You can scroll through the list here:
http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/Members.aspx
I don’t think any song or singer is off limits as long as the cover is done well. Very few can do that though.
Most of David Cook’s covers were successful, regardless of who did the arrangement. Maria Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” Neal Diamond’s “I’m Alive,” the unforgettable “Hello”, as well as the infamous Billie Jean and Eleanor Rigby. He had the advantage of being an experienced musician who had made cds, toured with bands, and performed before audiences. He knew who he was as an artist, and knew how to take almost any song and make it work for him.
Most of the kids this year are not very experienced and I think that will make it harder for them. Adam is experienced and it shows. It’s not just the talent but also knowing what works and doesn’t work for you.
Carrie was pretty inexperienced when she was on Idol (but not totally) and she did falter at times and made mistakes, she didn’t know how to work a stage or a live audience very well, but because she’s such a good singer she was able to overcome that lack of experience and the rest is history.
Daughtry, like Cook, had experience, and was able to make every genre work for him. He had a musical identity and knew what he wanted to do and who he was.
People like Anoop can have terrible weeks despite having some talent because they really don’t know who they are or what they’re doing. They might be able to sing some songs well, but find it hard to be flexible with unexpected new material and don’t know how to mold it to themselves, don’t have an artistic identity.
Bottom line I don’t think that country is necesssarily a good or bad genre, it can be quite interesting, and it will be interesting to see who rises to the occasion. Even though I’m not excited about this season’s contestants I know I’ll have to watch to see how they all fare. I have a feeling that Allison, Adam, and a few others will be able to make most genres work for them.
Some find Country weeka boring ones….but fro me it is the most interesting week….
Huh..i guess the songlist for Grand ole opry from the Idol spoilers is unfair…there are many good songs that is not on the list..
I hope Danny would sing- WHen I get where I’m goin or Jesus and Gravity coz I think He is an Evngelical and it suits this kind of songs for him..
and Anoop should sing Celebrity coz this one is appropriate for his personality…
for Megan- 9 to 5 or Tall Tal trees—sequel for Black horse and a Cherry tree,,,or Pam tillis song MI Vida LOca,,
Michael- I hope he will do a remake of Alan’s Here in the real world,,,or George’s He Stopped Loving her today…
if Alexis sings Where would you be by Martina and if she can pull those high notes then she will be saved for the next round,,,,
as for Adam- i think he should sing I will always love you…diva style (lol) co he likes to boast his high register…nyahhhhhh.. :devil_tb: ANyways…Chrome is good for him…any party songs////from opry members..KIng of the road I also suggest…
Allison should sing Concrete Angel or any Reba’s songs…please stay away from Carrie ….
the Blind pal Scott- I think Vince Gill songs is good for him…like When I call Your Name or I still Believe in you…or Go Rest High on the mountain…coz this songs were really good on the piano///
for Matt- When you say nothing at all coz I think girls would love it,,,please dont sing a fast song…
Lil rounds- please no I will always love you version..it has been so overdone on the show,,,,,Cleopatra Queen of Denial….this song really fits her voice,,,and its bluesy ….
and for Kris- Littel Moments by Brad- coz He is married and I think she should dedicate this to her wife,,,and He should use Electirc guitar,,,
Hey MJ – This is from a friend of Anoop’s
Chris Melly’s comments on facebook:
Chris wrote18 hours ago
what about always on my mind by willie nelson?
Chris wrote11 hours ago
his song choice is already selected… and from what i hear a former idol contestant may or may not have sung it as well…
That would make it a perfect week for me! It is good to see how many want to hear one of Patsy’s songs, I have mentioned that Crazy was the Number One Song for the 20th century that was played the most in Jukeboxes. Later, there were those flippy things that you put a quarter in for a selection of songs.
I am so hopeful that Anoop WILL pick the right song to show that he does belong on the Idol Tour. There are so many that I bet he could do – and do them well.