Don and Stormi Henley in the News for a Country Album and American Idol

Two musically oriented Henleys, Don and Stormi, were in the news last week. Through various tweets and leaks, it was learned that legendary rocker Don Henley is in Nashville making an album of country song covers; meanwhile, Stormi Henley, made it to the next round of American Idol. While these two Henleys are not believed to be related, they both made news in the same week.

Don Henley a co-founder of the Eagles, is one of the most successful American recording artists of all time. While he has not always been a darling of the critics, his commercial success is undeniable and he has been named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the 100 greatest singers of all time. While it has been rumored for some time, it was confirmed last week through various sources that Henley is collaborating with some of country music's biggest stars, including Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn fame and Allison Krauss on a new album that will feature country cover songs.

On his Facebook page, Dunn wrote, "Sang on the new Don Henley record, Friday. Don, Allison Krauss and my unqualified self. I was in WAY over my head in that talent pool. Hope it came off to good. Also, Stan Lynch (Google that name...) another hero, was involved. Lucky me!

While Don Henley has long since established his music credentials, Stormi Henley, who is a former teenage beauty queen from Crossville, Tennessee, was in the middle of a small controversy this week. It appeared that Henley's good looks might have had an undue influence on two of the American Idol Judges, Randy Jackson and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.

Henley, who was the 2009 Miss Teen USA, sang Father, Can You Hear Me?. Her rendition was passable, it seemed, to all three judges, but Jennifer Lopez voted 'no' on Henley and seemed to expect that the other judges would do the same.

Steven Tyler, however, continued his pattern of seeming to be enthralled with the young attractive women on the show and he gave a double entendre laden response to her candidacy. In halting tones, Tyler told Henley that she had a "beautiful little tight squeaky voice."

It was left to Randy Jackson to be the tie-breaker. While his actual response was not shown on air, Henley was seen seconds later leaving the soundstage waving her "ticket" to the next round.

Lopez acted disgusted, saying, ""Seriously you two? That might be the smallest voice we've ever heard in five cities."

So a legendary rock star explores his country side while a former beauty queen tries to show she is more than just a pretty face on American Idol; for Don and Stormi Henley, it was a busy week indeed.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/01/28/american-idol-judges-split-beauty-queen-named-stormi/
http://www.facebook.com/RonnieDunnMusic/posts/176367982404847