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Known for:	The Rainmaker, Black Dog, Apple Jack
Birth name:	Randy Bruce Traywick
Birthday:	4 May 1959, Marshville, North Carolina, USA
Height:	5' 9" (1.75 m)

Legends including DOLLY PARTON, MERLE HAGGARD and KENNY ROGERS were honoured at a star-studded country music ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday night (22Sep09).Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr. and the late Jerry Reed and Harlan Howard were also named for their creative and commercial contributions to the musical genre by The Academy of Country Music.Rogers,
Tuesday night's "American Idol" celebrated the Grand Ole Opry with country songs, and Grammy Award-winning country artist Randy Travis acted as the contestants' mentor. The competition was especially heated because the 10 contestants who make it through will be part of this summer's "American Idol" tour. Michael Sarver launched the night with Garth Brooks's "Ain't Going Down." Randy Jackson told Michael, "It was a cool song choice. It showed a fun side to you, but I don't think it showed us your vocal capabilities." Kara DioGuardi added, "We got to see your personality, but it is the big notes that I missed this week." Paula Abdul said, "It is a great Garth Brooks song. To me, it allowed you to have fun, which let us have fun. I thought this is the genre that suits you so well." Simon Cowell agreed with Paula's statement about the genre, but ed, "I always thought this kind of music suits you, but I couldn't understand a single word you said. I thought it was a bit clumsy. At this point, it is about you being a star. You came over as a karaoke guy." "Blame it on Your Heart," made famous by Patty Loveless, was Allison Iraheta's country song choice -- and she rocked the audience. Kara told her, "I am starting to think you could sing the alphabet and sing it well. You bring your own spin to everything and that is not easy to do." Paula said, "Another rock-solid performance from Allison." Simon thought it was good, but a little tuneless in parts and Randy felt "it was dope." Third place was a lucky charm for Kris Allen who went mellow on Garth Brooks' "To Make You Feel My Love." Paula said, "I am surprised. I think it was a real, honest, pure and vulnerable performance. Without your guitar, it allowed me to remember your voice. I think this was a smart choice." Simon complimented, "I thought that was terrific. It was a great choice of song, the way you took it back and were completely in control of the song, and you didn't go over the top. That is the first time I have heard you perform when I think you have a shot at doing well in this competition." Randy was succinct, saying, "What was cool for me was you went out on a limb to showcase your vocals: tender moments from my dawg." Kara said, "I didn't even know it was Opryland when I was hearing that. It was just beautiful." Lil Rounds admitted that the only country songs she ever heard were ones in movies. She took to the stage with "Independence Day" by Martina McBride. Randy felt it was an ambitious song choice, but "I found myself struggling in the first part. It didn't feel comfortable for me." Kara told her, "We all know you are a great singer. You would have to be deaf not to know that. We missed [the big notes] at the beginning. You did what you felt and that is part of being an artist. I give you props for that. Not your best performance." Paula disagreed, saying, "I thought your vocals were spot on and your hair, makeup and clothes." Then she pointed out that Lil would have done better to have sung two choruses instead of two verses to better show off her voice. Simon wasn't thrilled by the performance, saying, "That song for me came over as if you were one of those girls who have to sing a song at a wedding that someone requested. You felt and looked uncomfortable. We compared you to Mary J. Blige. You could have done something like a John Montgomery song and turned it into something that is you." Adam Lambert picked a really unique arrangement of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" as his country week song. Kara told him, "I have never seen that type of country rendition -- the fire, the Egyptian thing -- all a little strange. I don't know what to make of it. I got my drama from you, but it was strange. I kind of liked it. It left me confused and happy." Paula declared, "You are really someone who stands out, who is true to who you are as an artist. I loved the sitar sounds. It was kind of "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. You are raising your own bar each week. We are going to keep expecting great things out of you." Simon dissed Adam, saying "I think what Randy Travis was trying to say was, 'What the hell was that?' Sorry, but I would never go to Nashville if I were you. I think there are a lot of people throwing their television sets out the window. I thought it was absolutely indulgent rubbish." Randy was more upbeat saying, "I think the greatest thing about it was if you could imagine Nine Inch Nails doing a country song. that was it." Scott MacIntyre played the piano and sang Martina McBride's "Wild Angel." Paula complimented him on "another impressive performance. You work harder than most people on that stage. I do feel that the piano may be a bit of a crutch and it separates you from the audience. I think people need to see you as a showman." Simon and Paula got into a tiff, with the Brit wit telling Paula she was being disrespectful. He pointed out, "Elton John used to always be behind the piano. For me both the performances last week and this week were similar. I don't think you are choosing good enough songs." Randy said, "It is not the song. I am looking for those hot, crazy, unbelievable vocals from you." Kara instructed, "We want you to up your game a little bit. Wow us. The good note is: You bring class and poise to that stage." Alexis Grace decided to show her softer side with Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Randy told her, "It is a great song. I am not sure you hit the notes right and you tried to bend it bluesy, but it didn't quite work." Kara ed, "I think you lost your edge a bit. It was a little flat for me." Paula said, "I think that song was more effective than the others think. You took an artistic approach by showing a different side. I enjoyed the soft side of you." Simon felt the song was too sound alike without a drop of originality. "I think it is one of those performances we will forget about in 10 minutes time," he added. Danny Gokey chose former "American Idol" Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Takes the Wheel." Kara told him, "When you hit your stride, it is like none other. The front half of that performance was not spectacular, but halfway through, here comes Danny." Paula disagreed, saying, "I love when artists build a story. If it was always up that notch, we would love it, [but it would get old]. I think you were brilliant. I think Carrie Underwood would not only approve, but go out and buy that record." Simon said, "I agree with Paula. You don't start a song full-on. My only problem is what you are wearing." Randy disagreed with Simon and agreed with Kara, saying, "The problem with you and the verses is you've got to support those. You want to get better. The verses were pitchy." "You Were Always on My Mind," made famous by Willie Nelson, was the country tune chosen by Anoop Desai. Paula raved, "Anoop is back! I am so proud of you for picking a song that allowed you to have your interpretation of it. Tender, amazingly sweet vocals -- you touched my heart." Simon complimented, "You just managed to go from zero to hero. That was a good choice of song. That was one of my favorite performances of the whole night. Good for you that you could take a kicking last week and come back. I take back what I said. You deserve to be on this show." Randy agreed, adding, "Let me just say this is the reason we really wanted you in this competition. You can really sing." Kara made it unanimous, adding, "It is very hard to do what you did tonight. That is almost an untouchable song. The biggest surprise of the night." Megan Joy Corkrey picked the Patsy Cline classic, "Walking After Midnight." Randy exclaimed, "I was impressed. I thought it was quite good. The rock/blues/soul/ Megan-thing worked." Kara told her, "Perfect song. Perfect look. You are a winner because not a lot of people with the flu could get up in front of 30 million people and do what you did tonight. That shows you are serious." Paula praised, "You are a fighter. The consummate professional. People don't know you were at the hospital and missed the run through. If this is what sick is being about, have at it." Simon ed, "You should have the flu every week. You were better than you were last week. You look gorgeous." His only criticism was, "Whoever is styling you is sucking away some of the quirkiness that we liked." Matt Giraud also chose a Carrie Underwood song: "So Small," which he sang as he played piano. Kara teased, "There is nothing small about you. You are a true talent. You worked the dynamics of that song. Amazing." Paula enthused, "What I like the most is the authenticity that you bring and the honesty that you bring. Your delivery was unparalleled." Simon complimented, "I don't think you have had enough credit for your vocals. I think you out sang Danny tonight. You remind me of Michael Buble. I thought that was a terrific performance." Randy praised, "It was my favorite performance of the night. I love your vocals. You have mad skills. You got it going on." Watch ET tonight for all your "Idol" news. Then tune in to "American Idol" on Wednesday at 9 p.m. on FOX to find out who makes it to the Top 10.

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