American Idol Live Blog: Top 11 Contestants Compete for Top 9 Spots The April 13 episode of American Idol featured the Top 11 contestants as they performed songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie offering feedback after each performance. Viewers were encouraged to vote for their favorite singers, with the two artists receiving the lowest number of votes set to be eliminated at the end of the episode. Following the elimination of Jesse Findling the previous week, the remaining 11 contestants took the stage for their second chance to advance to the Top 9. Chris Tungseth opened the performances with a rendition of Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice,” marking a comeback after a lackluster performance the prior week. Richie praised Tungseth for trusting himself and taking risks, while Underwood called it one of his best performances, highlighting his energetic delivery. Bryan echoed Underwood’s sentiment, noting the shift in Tungseth’s performance from a subdued opening to a powerful finish. Rae followed with a dramatic interpretation of Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” which earned praise for its storytelling and emotional vocals. Underwood compared Rae’s performance to her own past rendition of the song, calling it a “dramatic in all the right places” moment. Bryan commended Rae’s consistent vocal strength and emotional depth, while Richie praised her for adding her “stamp on that hit record.” Braden Rumfelt performed Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” a choice influenced by his twin brother’s suggestion to go for a more upbeat song. Bryan encouraged Rumfelt to continue listening to his brother’s advice, while Richie humorously remarked that Rumfelt had “put some barbecue sauce on [his] career” with his vibe.#american_idol #carrie_underwood #luk_e_bryan #lionel_richie #american_idol_live_blog
Zac Brown Band Debuts on NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball Opening The Zac Brown Band has joined the ranks of iconic performers like Carrie Underwood and Lenny Kravitz by becoming a central figure in NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball opening segment. The southern rock band, known for its Grammy-winning hits, will perform a reimagined version of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2” during the debut of the network’s new baseball coverage. The segment will air on Sunday, featuring the Atlanta Braves hosting the Cleveland Guardians in the first “Sunday Night Baseball” game on NBC. Zac Brown, the band’s lead singer, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, calling it a humbling honor to be associated with Underwood and Kravitz in this context. “It’s humbling, honestly, to have our band’s name mentioned in the same breath as theirs in this context means a lot. We’ve spent many years just trying to make music that connects with people, and something like this tells you that it’s reaching further than you ever imagined,” Brown said in an email to The Associated Press. The choice of the song was deliberate, as NBC Sports creative director Tripp Dixon explained. The track’s use of an organ and its opening line, “Welcome back, my friends to the show that never ends,” resonated with the network’s branding of Major League Baseball as “The Show.” Dixon noted that these elements felt like a natural fit for the opening segment. “Those were the two elements we felt like holy cow, that sounds like something to build this idea around,” he said. The collaboration between the band and NBC Sports was described as a seamless process.#nbc #lenny_kravitz #carrie_underwood #zac_brown_band #sunday_night_baseball
Cody Johnson closes Houston rodeo with Carrie Underwood & Carín León Cody Johnson delivered a high-energy concert on the final night of RodeoHouston, setting a new attendance record for a solo performance at NRG Stadium. The event, held on March 22, 2026, marked Johnson’s debut as the second artist to close the annual rodeo with a concert-only show, following George Strait’s historic 2019 performance. With a crowd of 80,203 fans, Johnson surpassed Strait’s previous record by 95 attendees, cementing his place in the event’s legacy. The concert began with a medley of country tunes celebrating Houston, leading into Johnson’s own theme song, “Welcome to the Show,” which he had commissioned for RodeoHouston in 2019. The performance showcased his signature blend of passion and charisma, as he addressed the audience with stories of his early career. Johnson recounted being told “no” repeatedly by industry insiders, including skepticism about his cowboy hat’s viability in Nashville and doubts about his ability to draw large crowds at the rodeo. Johnson’s setlist featured a mix of hits and deeper cuts, including “Long Haired Country Boy,” “People in the Back,” and “Me and My Kind.” His rendition of “With You I Am” saw a slight vocal waver, prompting him to joke about channeling Lionel Richie before adjusting his performance. The crowd joined in on “’Til You Can’t,” his biggest hit, creating a powerful moment of collective singing. The night’s surprises included collaborations with Carrie Underwood and Carín León. Underwood, who had never performed at a rodeo before, joined Johnson for “I’m Gonna Love You,” a moment Johnson humorously described as “killing me” for the audience to witness.#nrg_stadium #carrie_underwood #cody_johnson #carn_len #rodeohouston
Luke Bryan, Lionel Ritchie & Carrie Underwood To Appear On "The View" Disney has revealed the guest lineup for the upcoming week of "The View," featuring a mix of celebrities and public figures promoting their latest projects. The show, which is America’s most-watched daytime talk show, continues to dominate ratings as a top destination for breaking news, celebrity interviews, and political discourse. "The View" regularly ranks No. 1 among household and total viewers in the daytime network, syndicated talk show, and news program categories. The Daytime Emmy Award-winning program is known for its live broadcasts five days a week, covering up-to-the-minute hot topics and featuring conversations with influential figures from entertainment, politics, and culture. The week’s guest lineup includes: Monday, March 23: Abby Huntsman guest co-hosts alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who will discuss his new book, "Stand." Tuesday, March 24: Abby Huntsman guest co-hosts with Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, who will serve as judges for "American Idol." Wednesday, March 25: Abby Huntsman guest co-hosts with Chelsea Handler, who will talk about her "High and Mighty Tour." Thursday, March 26: Abby Huntsman guest co-hosts with actors Thomas Doherty and Julianne Nicholson, stars of the series "Paradise." Friday, March 27: Abby Huntsman guest co-hosts with actor Amanda Peet, known for her roles in "Fantasy Life" and "Your Friends & Neighbors." The show is executive produced by Brian Teta and directed by Sarah de la O. Episodes will air on ABC and ABC News Live, with streaming options available on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. The episodes are only accessible on these platforms for a limited time.#the_view #abby_huntsman #luke_bryan #lionel_ritchie #carrie_underwood
