The fifth season of American Idol is underway, and the media is doing what the media does best: simplifying everything, and, thus, making everything stupid. Business as usual. So, one of this year’s standout performers is the charming Kellie Pickler. Last year’s winner, of course, was the very talented Carrie Underwood. Both of these young ladies are blonde, female southerners with a penchant for country tunes, and, all over the web and mainstream media we’re seeing the headlines which draw excessive similarities between these two very different singers.

Strangely enough, it’s really a form of racism and stereotyping, though, I haven’t seen anyone make this argument. Could you imagine, though, for a moment, that these two women were of African American heritage, instead, and all of the comparisons were being made. I guarantee that there would be many a critic crying foul: “You’re all a bunch of narrow minded racists! Just because they’re both black females, they have to be clones of each other?”

But, it’s really just that type of thinking at work. Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood are like night and day. And, in my humble opinion, Kellie is preferable in respect to disposition, personality, and, yes, talent. Let’s take a closer look at these two women and perhaps you’ll agree.

As indicated, Carrie is a talented star. There’s no doubt of that: she’s sold over two million copies of her debut effort “Some Hearts.” Underwood is from Checotah, Oklahoma, where she was born and raised on a farm. She attended Northwestern State University; her major was mass communication. And, it came as no surprise to me when I learned that while at Northeastern, Underwood was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and competing in beauty pageants in her spare time.

Underwood is basically a country singer; though, she admits to have been influenced by pop music also. Her musical talent is vast and includes the guitar, piano, and yodeling. She first entered the public spotlight in early 2005, as she auditioned for the fourth season of Fox’s spectacular hit American Idol. Simon, Paula, and Randy were quite impressed and Carrie went on to roar through the competition to victory.

The viewing audience was treated to Carrie’s performances of “Could’ve Been,” “Piece Of My Heart,” “Because You Love Me,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Alone,” “Independence Day,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” “MacArthur Park,” “When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues,” “Trouble,” “Bless The Broken Road,” “Sin Wagon,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Crying,” “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman,” “Inside Your Heaven,” “Angels Brought Me Here,” and “Up Where We Belong.” I include the full song list to provide a bit of the Carrie flavor. As mentioned, she’s a southern, country girl.

Much of the American viewing audience was pretty dazzled by Carrie, and, she has the distinction of not once appearing in the bottom three. The votes rolled in, and, her performances were nearly flawless. But, that was also the problem, almost, for some. Something about Carrie seemed a little too mechanical and rehearsed. Her life seemed a little too perfect. She couldn’t help but project a certain snobbish persona. At times, on stage, her nose crinkled-up, she appeared slightly offended, as if someone had just cut the cheese, and the vapors were sullying her pristine air space.

Carrie seemed like an individual who had never been touched by tragedy. The notes were all correct, and the execution was like text book science…but, what about that intangible thing that makes the heart zing? What about that quality that you just can’t name, but, when it’s there, oh, you know it! Soul…what about soul? Sadly, that was always lacking with Carrie, and, many noticed and opted for the deeper, more complex alternative, Bo Bice, who lost the competition by a mere 134 votes!

Do you understand what that means? You see, I didn’t vote at all during the finale. But, had I picked up my cell phone and punched Bo’s number for two hours, he’d currently be wearing the Idol crown! So, although Carrie is the official winner, understand, her majority was thin, and many weren’t taken in by the whole soft-spoken, seemingly na

Tags: , , ,

Related posts