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Is ‘American Idol’ Going Country? Show Has Another Superstar in Mind for Judging Panel

Jul 25, 2012  •  Post A Comment

“American Idol” reportedly has its sights set on another singing superstar for the judging panel, after landing pop singer Mariah Carey for the upcoming season, according to Deadline.com.

This time the show is poised to go country, as it is considering bringing Brad Paisley aboard to fill one of the recently vacated spots, the story reports. Both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez recently announced they wouldn’t be back as judges.

Paisley is one of the most successful male stars in country music, and is the 2008 CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year winner.

The story reports: “Bringing in a country star as an ‘Idol’ judge appears logical since the show’s most successful winner to date, Carrie Underwood, is a country singer as are a number of other well-known ‘Idol’ finalists — including last year’s winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alana.”

Paisley has performed on “Idol” in the past, and has relationships with both Underwood and McCreery — touring with McCreery and recording “Remind Me” with Underwood.

A show that is a rival to “Idol,” NBC’s “The Voice,” has been successful with its own country star, Blake Shelton, appearing as a mentor, the report notes.

The piece adds: “Word is that original ‘Idol’ judge and Carey co-manager Randy Jackson will likely come back, while Fox is also toying with the idea of a four-judge panel that was phased out when Lopez and Steven Tyler were signed two years ago.”

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