Up until now, the contestants had only proven to be ho-hum when it came to performing genre music.  So needless to say—my expectations for tonight were very low.  But were the singers able to get a least a little down and country with the help of Martina McBride?  Read on!

PHIL STACEY
SONG:  “Where the Blacktop Ends”/ Keith Urban
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:   So of all weeks—why didn’t Phil pick this one to wear a cowboy hat?  I’ve never been a fan of Phil’s…but this is actually a style of music that kind of suits him.  Maybe it’s because this song doesn’t require him to be sensitive.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said he could make a career out of country music.  Paula thought he felt comfortable.  Simon said it was the only time he had seen any personality from Phil.

JORDIN SPARKS
SONG:  “A Broken Wing”/ Martina McBride
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Jordin is taking a big gamble by singing a Martina song.  But why am I worried?  As I’ve said many times before, that girl’s got lungs...and she blew the roof off tonight.  On a side note - does anyone else think that she looks a bit like Rosario Dawson?
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said that she blew him away.  Paula thought she did a fantastic job.  Simon said that this is the first time he’s believed she could win the competition.

SANJAYA MALAKAR
SONG:  “Something To Talk About”/ Bonnie Raitt
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Sanjaya (sporting a bandana) says his goal is to do Bonnie Raitt justice.  It would be too easy for me to say that he should have just gone home then…but I’m hoping something more clever will come to mind.  Vocally and physically, his performance is so weak— he could have just phoned this crap in.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said this was just karaoke.  Paula somehow managed to avoid critiquing him at all.  Simon thought it was ‘utterly horrendous’.

LAKISHA JONES
SONG:  “Jesus Take The Wheel”/ Carrie Underwood
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  A great song choice.  It may be country, but it’s also packed with a lot out of soul for her to work with.  Unfortunately, Lakisha is strangely enough very pitchy tonight.  I’m almost shocked that I typed that.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy noted the pitch problems and said it wasn’t one of his favorites.  Paula said she sounded like she was shouting at times.  Simon didn’t think that she and the song went well together.

CHRIS RICHARDSON
SONG:  “Mayberry”/ Rascal Flatts
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:   I’m not sure why - but I’m not buying his performance tonight.  He sounds like a Backstreet Boy trying to sing country.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said that he didn’t feel any sense of connection.  Paula thought that the joy and love that he felt on stage didn’t come through tonight.  Simon said that he heard a non-descript, nasally vocal.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE
SONG:  “Trouble Is A Woman”/ Julie Reeves
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Wow!  With her new straight hair—I think that Melinda is trying to get her Jordin on tonight!  Once again, she cranked out an energetic and fun performance.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said it was another solid performance.  Paula said she performed like there is no tomorrow.  Simon thought it was fantastic.

BLAKE LEWIS
SONG:  “When The Stars Go Blue”/ Tim McGraw
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  I’ve never heard this song before…but I know that Blake is singing it a lot flatter than it was intended.  I can see why he chose this song—it fits his style—I just wish he performed it better.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said that he loves that Blake stays true to himself.  Paula said that he has the whole package.  Simon wasn’t jumping out of his seat.

FINAL THOUGHTS:  I think Sanjaya has been begging us to put him out of his misery…and ours.  How can we argue with that?

(You can find all the American Idol 6 posts here.)