Danny Gokey Steers Closer to the Top with 'Jesus Take the Wheel'

He's already been chosen by some to be this season's American Idol and on Tuesday Danny Gokey edges out the competition even further with his rendition of Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel.

Danny struggled with meeting and performing for Tuesday's country star on deck, Randy Travis, who seemed to like everybody no matter what. Danny attempted to sing for Randy and hit some strange high-note and it went down hill from there. Danny shrugged the fail off to being nervous. I'm not sure why a guy who is normally relaxed in front of a million people would be so nervous in front of two. Maybe he was just tired...or something. In any case, the pre-song was awful and in true AI fashion, we had to hear it four or five times. Thanks for that.

Tuesday night's format was country music in the spirit of the Grand Ole Opry and most of the performances seemed a tiny bit ordinary. The exceptions Tuesday were the usual suspects - Adam and, of course, Danny. Adam's unique and mysterious version of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire met with the expected raised eyebrows from three of the four judges but wowed Randy and the audience times ten. And Danny lived up to the expectations that we've created for him. After a bit of a slow start and a few pitch problems that we're unaccustomed to, Danny broke wide open on the chorus and was, in no time, back to the Danny we love. He gave Underwood's song every bit of justice it deserves by giving a stellar performance, not his best, but right up there. He could have truly forgone the first part of that song and we wouldn't have missed a thing.

The judges were duly impressed as usual with the only snarky comment coming from Simon - something about Danny's jacket and a polar expedition. To Simon's point, though, the jacket was quite bad.

All in all, it's just so compelling to watch Danny perform. He has this unique ability to be relaxed and down home while giving audiences a "makes me wanna jump out of my seat" show. His performances remind me of the Springsteens and John Mellencamps of old: amazing talent, a lot of fun, and a complete joy to watch.