Live blog of tonight’s ‘Grand Ole Opry’ week on American Idol.  The final eleven contestants will be singing songs made popular by country stars that have appeared on the ‘Grand Ole Opry.’

For the record Paula Abdul’s boobs are over-exposed and literally resting on the judge’s table tonight.

Randy Travis is the country star that invited Idol alum Carrie Underwood to join the Grand Ole Opry.  So it was natural for Travis to be the mentor this week.  Travis broke trough in 1986 with his album ‘Storms of Life.’  He has scored twenty-two #1’s and has sold 25 million albums. 

Michael Sarver - ‘When the Sun Comes Up’ - Mike did a great job and is for sure at his best singing a country song. He chose a difficult Garth Brooks song that is fast and wordy almost like a country rap.  It could have been better, but he could have really blown it as well.  So far I have not been impressed by Sarver to date.  He has talent but his chances of winning are slim to none. Grade: B-

Allison Ireheta - ‘Blame It on Your Heart’ - This girl can really sing, and she can sing across several genres.  I am sure at some point the judges will hold her age against her, but she as to be considered a favorite at this point.  She took this Patty Loveless song and really cranked it out. Grade: A

Kris Allen - ‘To Make You Feel My Love’ - He for sure is better with is guitar and more comfortable.  He made Garth’s version more of a ballad and had a chance to show off his voice a bit.  His voice and his pitch seemed off at times.  I am kinda shocked that Simon thought it was ‘terrific.’  Kris is handsome, talented, and has a strong female following so he will be around for the next few weeks.  A very strong performance for Mr. Allen. Grade: B+

Lil Rounds - ‘Independence Day’ - Lil admittedly had never heard a country song except during watching movies.  She chose Martina McBride’s ‘Independence Day.’  She had a hard time during parts of the song with small specks of greatness.  She gets points for stepping out, but this will go down as one of her weaker weeks.  I agree with the judges that there were many country songs that would have been a better fit for Lil.  Grade: C+

Adam Lambert - ‘Ring of Fire’ - Oh me, Adam is going to attempt a Middle Eastern version of ‘Ring of Fire,’ which is perhaps the greatest Johnny Cash song of all-time.  Randy doesn’t seem to think this will be very good but let’s see.  Adam has some horrible skin.  I am a huge Cash fan so I am not huge on Adam’s version.  This guy was built for Broadway and should stay there in my opinion.  That thud you just heard was Johnny Cash rolling over in his grave.  A very disturbing performance and massacre of a great song.  Grade: D-

Scott MacIntyre - ‘Wild Angels’ - Another Martina McBride song!  Scott is talented, but he has one speed and that speed is only obtainable behind the piano.  He is very strong on this song and it actually picks up about half way through.  The problem is that it sounds too much like last week’s song and the week before.  A couple of very rough spots towards the end. I want to like Scott, but he reminds me of being at talent night at MTSU.  Grade: C

Alexis Grace - ‘Jolene’ - The first Dolly Parton song of the night and a good one at that.  Alexis has many facets to her voice.  She seems to be able to take her voice up and down the vocal ladder.  Alexis is very good tonight as she should be with this genre.  She had a couple of small pitch problems.  I thought her performance was a lot better than the ‘Idol’ judges.  Grade: B+

Danny Gokey - ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’ - Danny’s stylist needs to be fired.  He is performing in a white surgeon’s coat with a lavender button down shirt underneath it.  Gokey fashion = Dork(e)y!  So far Dan has been pretty flat but the song is about to open up. Let’s see if he can up his game.  No real improvement!  His performance has been very choppy, weak, and all over the place.  I am not a huge fan of contestants crossing gender on a song, where a male contestant sings a female song or vice versa.  He had some hot spots in his performance, but overall it was not a good night for Danny.  Grade: C+

Anoop Desai - ‘You’re Always on My Mind’ - I am excited to hear Anoop singing Willie Nelson’s classic.  Wow, strong start for Anoop.  He might pull this off.  Anoop is showing off a very powerful voice tonight.  He is making this classic his own.  Randy Travis was right about this being Anoop’s best performance so far.  Anoop is back in the competition after this superb performance.  He was smooth, on key, and memorable.  Grade: A+

Megan Joy - ‘I Go Walking After Midnight’ - My nickname for Megan is ‘Slutty Spice’.  It will be interesting to see how she handles tis Patsy Cline classic.  She is really cute tonight (+3 points).  So far she is sultry and smooth.  Her Nikki Sixx clone ink always throws me off a bit.  She just had a major pitch problem or something, maybe it was intentional.  ’Slutty Spice’ did a good job of coming across as classy and strong.  I would put her performance in the top 1/3rd tonight.  Let’s see if the judges are as kind? Oh she had the flu? Well even more bonus points.  And more…she was even in the hospital this week.  She is by far the most attractive contestant.  She beats out Paula for most noticeable boobs of the night.  Grade: A-

Matt Giraud - ‘So Small’ - One of Luke Laird’s songs he co-wrote for Carrie Underwood.  So I have a natural bias towards liking this.  Matt is a lot better, in my opinion, than Scott behind the piano. I am sure song selection has a bit to do with it.  This guy can sing and play the piano. Some guys sit behind the piano, but Matt really plays it.  His voice is very strong and an amazing performance by Matt.  One of the best of the night.  Grade: A

I do like how the Idol judges were throwing around Bumpshack homeboy Luke Laird’s song ‘Last Name’ that he co-wrote for Carrie Underwood.  Laird had three of his songs on ‘Carnival Ride.’  And Matt Giraud finished the night by playing Luke’s ‘So Small’.

Winners Tonight: Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Allison Ireheta

Lost in the Middle: Michael Sarver, Lil Rounds, Alexis Grace

Losers Tonight: Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey 

Contestants remaining on Idol: Adam Lambert, Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver, and Scott MacIntyre.

Live Blog:  ‘American Idol’ Songs of Michael Jackson