ScottyWe now know the Top 13 American Idol contestants for 2011. And it’s time for the real competition to begin. Even though I’ve been watching since the first audition show back in January, I really don’t know the contestants yet. That takes me a few weeks of actual “show” watching to remember who they are, and to pick out my favorites.

I do know, however, that country singer Scotty McCreery caught my attention from the start. Mine, and every other country music fan in the country. But it’s not just the fans. Apparently, Scotty has also caught the attention of at least one country music singer – Josh Turner. (Photo at left courtesy of americanidol.com)

Josh told a Wisconsin radio station that Scotty reminded him of  himself several years ago. Scotty, who is 16 years old,  sang “Your Man” and “Long Black Train” during auditions on the show this year.  "Back when I was that age, I wanted to sing nothing but Randy Travis songs. But it took that for me to figure out who I was," Josh tells Wisconsin radio station WDEZ. "I think he’s farther along at that age than I was."

Josh tThe 33-year old has nothing but praise for the aspiring country star. "Scotty seems to be a smart guy, and he’s got his head on straight," he adds, "and he seems like he’s got a great heart."

I’m really not sure how far Scotty will make it on American Idol. With that being an audience-voted show, you really don’t know who is going to call in, and who isn’t. And you never really know if they are basing their voting on one week at a time, or on the overall performances throughout the competition. Everyone can a bad day, and it might just take one bad day to get you off the show.

I do think Scotty has a future in country music. He’s 16, he has a lot of time. I really hope he will find ‘Scotty’ though – and not try to be Josh Turner.  While Scotty has a great, low voice, he needs to do something other than Josh Turner songs. Being on American Idol – I know he will have to.  If they have a ‘Broadway’ night of a “Motown’ night, it will be very interesting to see what he does with songs like that.

Here are the Top 13 for this year’s show – get ready to case your weekly votes.  Scotty McCreery, Jacob Lusk , Casey Abrams , Paul McDonald , James Durbin , Pia Toscano , Lauren Alaina , Karen Rodriguez , Thia Megia , Haley Reinhart , Ashthon Jones , Stefano Langone  and Naima Adedapo.

Time to get ready for work. This is going to be a long day. Have a great Tuesday everyone – I’ll talk to you soon. And, I’ll be answering some of your mail tonight. Thanks so much for all the mail. Love hearing from each of you.

Later,
Country

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We now know the Top 13 American Idol contestants for 2011. And it’s time for the real competition to begin. Even though I’ve been watching since the first audition show back in January, I really don’t know the contestants yet. That takes me a few weeks of actual “show”...