Maren Morris, Kane Brown + More Country Stars Rejected By ‘American Idol’ [PICTURES]Maren Morris, Kane Brown + More Country Stars Rejected By ‘American Idol’ [PICTURES]Can you imagine turning down some of country music's most well-known names for a spot in a singing competition? Courtney CarrCourtney Carr
‘American Idol’ Beware: Covering This Artist Has Led to 21 Eliminations!‘American Idol’ Beware: Covering This Artist Has Led to 21 Eliminations!Song choice is just as important as talent. JessJess
Malcolm McDowell’s Son, Beckett McDowell, Leaves ‘American Idol': ‘I Am Forever Grateful’Malcolm McDowell’s Son, Beckett McDowell, Leaves ‘American Idol': ‘I Am Forever Grateful’"It was my choice."Sterling WhitakerSterling Whitaker
‘American Idol’ Standout Alex Miller Keeps It Country With Rollicking New Song, ‘Girl, I Know a Guy’ [Exclusive Premiere]‘American Idol’ Standout Alex Miller Keeps It Country With Rollicking New Song, ‘Girl, I Know a Guy’ [Exclusive Premiere]"It’s an upbeat, in-your-face contemporary love song that leaves the listener in suspense."Sterling WhitakerSterling Whitaker
‘American Idol': Marybeth Byrd’s Lainey Wilson Cover Gives Luke Bryan Goosebumps [Watch]‘American Idol': Marybeth Byrd’s Lainey Wilson Cover Gives Luke Bryan Goosebumps [Watch]Byrd delivered a hair-raising cover of 'Heart Like a Truck' from the 'Idol' stage in Hawaii.Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol’s Elijah McCormick Makes Chris Janson’s ‘Good Vibes’ All His Own [Watch]‘American Idol’s Elijah McCormick Makes Chris Janson’s ‘Good Vibes’ All His Own [Watch]We've never heard a Chris Janson song sound quite like this. Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol:’ Matt Wilson Serenades His Wife — and America — With Dan + Shay’s ‘Speechless’ [Watch]‘American Idol:’ Matt Wilson Serenades His Wife — and America — With Dan + Shay’s ‘Speechless’ [Watch]R&B singer Matt Wilson dipped into country territory with this romantic cover.Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol': Mariah Faith Shines With a Gritty Chris Stapleton Cover [Watch]‘American Idol': Mariah Faith Shines With a Gritty Chris Stapleton Cover [Watch]After establishing her love of classic country early on in the competition, Faith turned her attention to a modern country hit. Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol’ Hopeful Haven Madison Puts Her Own Spin on a Maren Morris Pop Hit [Watch]‘American Idol’ Hopeful Haven Madison Puts Her Own Spin on a Maren Morris Pop Hit [Watch]Madison is typically a balladeer, but she proved she can deliver tempo with a rendition of 'The Middle.'Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week Ends in a Shocking ‘Plot Twist’ [Watch]‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week Ends in a Shocking ‘Plot Twist’ [Watch]We've never seen something like this happen on 'Idol' before.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
‘American Idol': MaryBeth Byrd Advances to the Top 24 With a Carrie Underwood Song [Watch]‘American Idol': MaryBeth Byrd Advances to the Top 24 With a Carrie Underwood Song [Watch]A country-leaning 'Idol' contestant took a risk with her Showstoppers Round song — and it paid off.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
Country-Soul Singer Mariah Faith Enters ‘American Idol’ Top 24 With a Waylon Jennings Classic [Watch]Country-Soul Singer Mariah Faith Enters ‘American Idol’ Top 24 With a Waylon Jennings Classic [Watch]During her Showstoppers Round performance, Mariah Faith went for something uptempo.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
‘American Idol': Warren Peay Makes Top 24 With a Bluesy, Vocal First Performance [Watch]‘American Idol': Warren Peay Makes Top 24 With a Bluesy, Vocal First Performance [Watch]Warren Peay ditched his guitar for a bluesy, vocals-first performance of The Allman Brothers' 'Whipping Post,' and the risk paid off.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
Laine Hardy May Avoid Jail Time for Bugging Ex-Girlfriend’s Dorm RoomLaine Hardy May Avoid Jail Time for Bugging Ex-Girlfriend’s Dorm RoomHe was accused of leaving a listening device in his ex-girlfriend's dorm room nearly one year ago. Billy DukesBilly Dukes
The Daughter of a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gets the Nod on ‘American Idol’ [Watch]The Daughter of a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gets the Nod on ‘American Idol’ [Watch]It helps when you can sing AND your dad is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer!Evan PaulEvan Paul
‘American Idol’ Singers ‘Camo Cousins’ Team Up for ‘Buy Dirt’ for Hollywood Week — See a Sneak Peek [Watch]‘American Idol’ Singers ‘Camo Cousins’ Team Up for ‘Buy Dirt’ for Hollywood Week — See a Sneak Peek [Watch]Contestants Jon Wayne Hatfield and Preston Duffee do judge Luke Bryan proud -- in both song and outfit choice -- in this exclusive Hollywood Week sneak peek.Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol': Country Singer Owen Eckhardt Scores Golden Ticket With Zach Bryan Cover [Watch]‘American Idol': Country Singer Owen Eckhardt Scores Golden Ticket With Zach Bryan Cover [Watch]He impressed the judges.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
‘American Idol’ Hopeful Oliver Steele Sings Straight to His Dad on Audition Week [Watch]‘American Idol’ Hopeful Oliver Steele Sings Straight to His Dad on Audition Week [Watch]Country rocker Oliver Steele sang a Beatles cover straight to his dad in this emotional 'Idol' audition.Melinda LorgeMelinda Lorge
‘American Idol’ Hopeful’s Chris Stapleton Cover Earns a Standing Ovation From Luke Bryan [Watch]‘American Idol’ Hopeful’s Chris Stapleton Cover Earns a Standing Ovation From Luke Bryan [Watch]This 'American Idol' contestant knocked Luke Bryan 'Cold' with her soulful performance.Carena LiptakCarena Liptak
‘American Idol': Phil Kane Stuns Judges With His Earnest Songwriting [Watch]‘American Idol': Phil Kane Stuns Judges With His Earnest Songwriting [Watch]He's been called the "country Jackson Browne." Grace Lenehan VaughnGrace Lenehan Vaughn