Including her No. 1 hits, Top 10 hits and deep cuts that her fans can’t get enough of. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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50 Best Carrie Underwood Songs
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Luke Combs is asking fans to help him track down a rare one-of-one card of himself that he signed years ago. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Luke Combs is asking fans to help him track down a rare one-of-one card of himself that he signed years ago. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The automotive giant has issued another major recall. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
The automotive giant has issued another major recall. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The ‘Intelligence for Your Life’ host is still fighting cancer 10 years after doctors gave him 18 months to live — and he credits his wife with helping save his life. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Last Monday night, viewers saw Michael Garner get one step closer to becoming the next American Idol when he won the sing-off against fellow contestant Jayson Garner. This simple yet impactful performance earned the 16-year-old a spot in the Top 30. Tonight, he brought the energy up on stage in Hawaii with a Cody Johnson hit.
The stakes were especially high this week, with both the looming Top 20 cut and the return of the platinum tickets. Nerves were clearly written on Garner’s face as he spoke to the camera before his performance, knowing that he had the eyes of the judges, his fellow contestants and a group of industry experts on him this week.
“Definitely got to bring my A-game. I got to do something,” he noted.
Garner chose to turn things up a notch by performing Cody Johnson’s award-winning song, “’Til You Can’t.” Known for its powerful storytelling and demanding vocal range, it’s safe to assume that this is not an easy track to tackle, but the high school student from Forrest City, AR rose to the challenge. He poured emotion into every lyric and even attempted to hit the high notes, proving that his talent and dedication is well beyond his years.
Feedback from the judging panel was not shown this time around, but a few members of the carefully selected group of Industry executive did give their thoughts.
Up first was Dancing with the Stars pro and choreographer, Sasha Farber, who honestly shared that he wasn’t as impressed by Michael Garner’s delivery as he was hoping to be.
“It felt like something was a little off. Maybe it wasn’t his best performance.”
Rolling Stones co-editor-in-chief, Shirley Halperin, then jokingly described him as being a country version of Justin Bieber.
Unfortunately, as the Top 20 spots were announced one by one, Michael Garner’s name was not called, marking the end of his journey on the show.
Those who did make the cut will perform on a new stage next week at Aulani, A Disney resort and Spa. Over the next two weeks, contestants will sing for the chance to earn American’s votes. Along the way, they will receive advice and guidance from new mentors, Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer.
New episodes of American Idol air Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and on streaming the following day on Hulu.
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Under the bright lights and blue skies of Hawaii, Lucas Leon calmly braced himself for a performance that could get him one step close to achieving his dreams of becoming the next American Idol.
This week, the Top 30 contestants of Season 24 brought their talent to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, hoping for the chance to earn a spot in the Top 20. For this week, dubbed the Ohana round, Leon took the stage to perform a powerful rendition of the Miranda Lambert classic, “The House That Built Me.”
He wasn’t just singing for the judges’ approval tonight. His parents, fellow Idol contestants, and a panel of industry experts were also watching closely as each group collectively got to vote on who would earn a coveted platinum ticket at the end of the episode. He had to pour his heart into the performance and make every moment count, and it’s safe to say he did just that.
“Performing for all these people that can really make a difference in my life. It’s pretty nerve-wracking,” he admitted before taking the stage.
The 18-year-old told the crowd that he chose this song as a tribute to his parents who were got a front row seat to tonight’s performance. Emotions began to run high in the audience as soon as Leon let his voice fill the speakers of the open-air setting.
“My parents are here tonight and they’re who really built me,” he stated. “This one goes out to my family.”
Strumming his guitar against the stunning backdrop, he immediately drew the audience in with his soft, raspy vocals. From the very first note, listeners were captivated, with one admitting to getting goosebumps as he poured heart and soul into the already emotional track.
The industry professionals couldn’t help but take notice, praising him as “a true vocalist.” By the end of the performance, the Tennessee native earned a proud thumbs-up from his mom and some high praise from Carrie Underwood on the judging panel.
“I mean, you’re so in control of your instrument. It’s kind of mind blowing,” the superstar told him. “And you have a really beautiful, just soft, sweet spot in your voice that I feel like just draws everybody in. So I would love to hear more of that.”
Y’all Access host and “country music aficionado,” Kelly Sutton, who was chosen as a member of the industry expert group, had tears in her eyes as she shared her thoughts on the heartfelt delivery Leon had just given them.
“That song it’s just, it’s such a sweet song and it means so much. And yeah, it was beautiful. The parents are here hearing it. This is really special,” she said.
When the results were revealed at the end of the episode, Lucas Leon learned that he unfortunately did not each one of the three elite platinum tickets. However, things ended on a high note for him as his name was called to join the Top 20.
This means that Leon will join his fellow contestants next week in performing in Hawaii once again, this time guided by mentors Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer.
American Idol continues with new episodes Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and on streaming the following day on Hulu.
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On tonight’s episode of American Idol, Hannah Harper channeled her late grandfather’s legacy in a heartfelt performance of a country classic.
Harper has quickly become a standout for her authentic storytelling and stunning vocals, but she reveals the pressure started to really set in, knowing that the Top 20 would be revealed by the end of the night.
Plus, tonight she wasn’t just trying to win over the judges, she also had to impress her fellow Idol contestants, her family, and a panel of industry experts. For the first time, all three groups got the chance to vote to determine which three hopeful singers would earn one of the three esteemed platinum tickets up for grabs.
“Performing in front of the editor of Rolling Stone? Geez, Louise. There’s so many other eyes on us who get a say in our future. It’s a little frightening,” Harper admitted.
The Missouri native quickly put those fears aside to sing a rendition of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” which also happens to be her late grandfather, Pawpaw Lew’s favorite song.
“I’m really excited about the Ohana round to have the chance to honor my grandpa. He was a patriarch. So many branches of talented people that came from him. He played music until the day he died,” she explained.
A slideshow of memories played across the screen, highlighting the profound impact Pawpaw Lew had on Harper and her family. In a 1992 interview about their family band, he said, “Bluegrass and gospel, that will keep us together.” These are words that Harper now hopes to carry forward for her own family.
She continued, “The legacy that he left was such a strong impression on my life. I want to do the same for my kids. I wish my grandpa was here to hear it. My grandma’s going to be here and she’s going to be so thrilled because it was his favorite song.”
Harper’s performance struck an immediate chord, bringing her family to tears as she poured her heart into every note and lyric of the signature song. By the end, she had fully made the track her own, and the judges and audience responded with a well-deserved standing ovation.
Luke Bryan spoke from the judging panel, and once again compared her to the likes of country music great, Dolly Parton.
“Gosh, there are so many parallels with your voice and Dolly [Parton] and it’s just so beautifully country,” he said. “But just remember that key that you got to at the end and really live in that space because your voice really opened up there. You’ve got the goods and that was…your voice is so beautiful to me.”
Lionel Richie added that she’s got “that straight authentic mountain voice.”
From the panel of industry experts, Dancing with the Stars pro and choreographer, Sasha Farber pointed out that it felt like she was “missing something” because she didn’t have her guitar in hand this time around.
“But I don’t know. I think she really delivered it and she felt like she was herself,” he added.
Hannah Harper’s performance was not enough to earn a platinum ticket at the end of the night, but she will be moving forward in the competition as she claimed a spot in the Top 20.
Next week, the stay-at-home mom and talented singer/songwriter will return to Hawaii to perform alongside her fellow contestants, this time with guidance from mentors Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer.
American Idol airs new episodes Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu.
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Alabama native Kutter Bradley turned heads on American Idol with a high-energy delivery of Jason Aldean’s “Amarillo Sky.”
Before chasing music full-time, Bradley held a variety of jobs, from carpentry and welding to construction, but he says music was always calling him.
“Ever since I started, something’s been poking at me, like I’ve got to see how far I can take it,” he explained.
Bradley’s commitment to hard work, regardless of what he’s doing, is a lesson he learned from his parents. Those values are what inspired him to choose Jason Aldean’s “Amarillo Sky,” a song that reflects the dedication and grit he carries into every performance.
“The reason I picked that song is because it’s a song about hard work. Dedicating it to my parents right here because they showed me what hard work is and it’s rubbed off on me because I’m hard working for my dreams right now,” Bradley explained as he pointed to his parents seated in the front row of his Ohana Round performance.
Sporting a pair of overalls, a look Luke Bryan jokingly praised, Bradley brought the stage to life with an uptempo performance that had the audience dancing in their seats and nodding along to the beat. He hit high notes effortlessly and truly meant every lyric he sung while moving across the stage like a seasoned performer. By the end, he had clearly won over not only the judges but his proud parents and the entire crowd with his energy and authenticity.
Bryan went on to commend the singer on his “great song choice,” and noted he was impressed not only by his outfit but also by the vocals he delivered.
“I tell you, rocking overalls in Hawaii, I tell you what, that’s pretty amazing. You really impressed me with where you went vocally. I enjoyed it. Great job,” Bryan said.
The stakes were raised for every contestant this week, knowing that three platinum tickets were up for grabs at the end of the night. For the first time, Idol introduced the Ohana round, which invited three different groups: Idol contestants, the contestant’s family members and a panel of Industry experts, who were tasked with voting to determine who would earn the coveted ticket.
Kutter Bradley’s performance did not award him a platinum ticket, but fans will get to see him take the stage in Hawaii next week because the judges believed he deserved a spot in the Top 20.
The Season 24 American Idol journey continues over the next two weeks, where contestants will sing for America’s votes. They will also be guided by new mentors, Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer.
New episodes of the singing competition show air Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and on streaming the following day on Hulu.
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