American Idol Goes Country

This week on Fox T.V.'s block-buster show "American Idol," Country super-star Martina McBride takes on the role of teacher. The theme for this week is country music and Martina McBride a chart-topping country singer will be tutoring the 'Idol' hopefuls. McBride will mentor the top seven singers who remain and will try to give them hints on how to deliver a memorable country tune. The Country super-star has had more Pop hits chosen for 'Idol hopeful' cover songs than any other artist. Wednesday night Miss McBride will sing her hit song, "Anyway" from her new hit album "Waking Up Laughing." The album was self produced by McBride and was released on the 3rd of April. The country singer has been nominated 23 times in her career for hit songs. She is known for past hits such as "Valentine" done along with Jim Brickman.

Some past 'Idol' artists who have embraced the country scene have been, last year's dipsy, blonde, beauty Kelly Pickler and shy Bucky Covington who just released his first album with high expectations of good sales with country fans and 'Idol' fans alike. Carrie Underwood is probably the most well known of the past American Idol winners to go big. She has won several awards including the coveted "Grammy". She tops the charts again with her fourth hit single entitled "Wasted" from her currently released debut album. Other hits includes #1 hit "Jesus Take The Wheel." Her last single to go big is entitled "Don't Forget To remember Me" which is still on the charts. Underwood is the 1st woman since 1999 Grammy award winning star, Shania Twain did "Man I Feel Like A Woman."

Seven 'Idol' contestants remain and the countdown is taking it's toll on singers and audiences alike. American Idol, a number one hit for the Fox Network, winds its way down to the finale, that will culminate in the crowning of season six's (Queen or King) of singing. The voting is frantic and the show's fanatics are punching in those phone numbers as fast as their fingers can dial. Each call received to "Idol" will count toward the success or failure of the remaining seven contestants. Regardless of talent or lack of it, only one singer will succeed in becoming the new American Idol.

Last week on the show's Wednesday episode, a new twist was announced. 'American Idol' would hold a national contest for would be song writers to send in the grand finale winning song to be sung by this years new American Idol. The announcement came on the 11th of April. Songs must be original and the winner has the chance not only for the song to be sung but the winning song will be also recorded and released by Sony Records. The song writer will also receive a music publishing deal with '19 Entertainment' and a cash advance on royalties for the song. Simon Fuller, 'Idol' producer and his 19 Entertainment staff will narrow the entries down to 20 top songs and starting May 2, fans will be able to listen online to the songs and vote for their favorite. Voting will close on the 8th of May and the winner will be announced on the show's finale, May 22, 2007. Listeners and voters can check out the songs in the next couple of weeks at www.songwriter.americanidol.com .