Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were in Nashville late last week as American Idol stopped in Music City to hold auditions for the first season of the talent competition on ABC.
This was the third city on their national trek to find the next big superstar, and it seems like the trio have really become a cohesive team.
“[Luke’s] one of those guys you meet and you swear he’s been a part of your life forever,” says Lionel. “I’m going back to check my yearbook. I’m going back to check The Commodores; I know he was in the band somewhere, but he’s got that personality.”
Luke is getting into a groove and feels comfortable now stating his opinion in front of the other two judges. “To be on this ride with them and to see how serious they take it and how important it is. It’s an undertaking and a challenge that, when I started saying my opinion on the first day and they started agreeing with it, I was like, ‘Hell yes, I’m gonna be okay. We’re on the same page,’” he says. “I was very flattered that I could come in and be the ole country boy voice. But back to them, I mean obviously huge fans of everything that they’ve done from the word go.”
Adding, “I haven’t ever even told Katy this. I remember the first time I heard ‘I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It,’ like I was just starting touring and I got my band guys on the bus and I was like, ‘Guys, this is what a huge ass pop hit sounds like.’ We’re sitting there jamming to [sings] ‘I kissed a girl,’ and obviously, that was Katy’s first endeavor.”
Katy appreciates the benefit of having three different and distinct artists on the panel. “We all have our strengths and I think that we are a very diverse panel and I think we all can give a different perspective. Lionel tells a lot of incredible stories and people come in singing Whitney and Prince, and he’s like, ‘Oh, well, those are my homies,’” she says. “We have a lot of fun, obviously, but we are really looking for talent and talent is presenting itself. It’s funny because I kept on saying I think that everything’s been discovered, every stone has been turned, every diamond has been polished, and I feel like actually we’re finding pretty great stuff.”
Luke is also getting a few pointers from Lionel on the piano.
https://twitter.com/LionelRichie/status/921518547204956160
https://twitter.com/LionelRichie/status/921803778902200320
Luke has climbed into the Top 10 on the country charts with “Light It Up,” the first release from his upcoming album, What Makes You Country, available December 8th.
The Georgia native, who is nominated for this year’s CMA Entertainer of the Year (an award he’s won twice), is also busy on the road with his Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day Tour, which makes stops in San Diego on Wednesday (October 25th), Phoenix on Thursday (October 26th) and San Bernadino on Friday (October 27th).
Audio / Lionel Richie says he feels like he’s know Luke Bryan forever.
DownloadAmerican Idol (Lionel on Luke) OC: (Luke) …a Commodores roadie. :14
LIONEL: “When I first met him, though, I must admit – you know [Luke’s] one of those guys you meet and you swear he’s been a part of your life forever. I’m going back to check my yearbook. I’m going back to check The Commodores; I know he was in the band somewhere, but he’s got that personality.” LUKE: “A Commodores roadie.” [Lionel laughs]
Audio / NOTE LANGUAGE: Luke Bryan talks about being a part of American Idol and when he heard Katy Perry’s first hit.
DownloadAmerican Idol (Luke on Idol and Katy Perry) OC: …endeavor. :57
“To be on this ride with them and to see how serious they take it and how important it is. It’s an undertaking and a challenge that, when I started saying my opinion on the first day and they started agreeing with it, I was like, ‘Hell yes, I’m gonna be okay. We’re on the same page.’ I was very flattered that I could come in and be the ole country boy voice. But back to them, I mean obviously huge fans of everything that they’ve done from the word go. I haven’t ever even told Katy this. I remember the first time I heard ‘I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It,’ like I was just starting touring and I got my band guys on the bus and I was like, ‘Guys, this is what a huge ass pop hit sounds like.’ We’re sitting there jamming to [sings] ‘I kissed a girl,’ and obviously, that was Katy’s first endeavor.”
Audio / Katy Perry says the three American Idol judges, including Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, are having a lot of fun together, and they’re also finding great talent for the show.
DownloadAmerican Idol (Katy Perry) OC: …great stuff. :41
KATIE: “We all have our strengths and I think that we are a very diverse panel and I think we all can give a different perspective. Lionel tells a lot of incredible stories and people come in singing Whitney and Prince, and he’s like, ‘Oh, well, those are my homies!’” LIONEL: “We’ll start there, and then she goes, ‘Lionel, how’s your blood sugar? What do you need?’” KATIE: “What do you need? You need a cracker? Here’s some Pedialyte.’ We have a lot of fun, obviously, but we are really looking for talent and talent is presenting itself. It’s funny because I kept on saying I think that everything’s been discovered, every stone has been turned, every diamond has been polished, and I feel like actually we’re finding pretty great stuff.”
https://twitter.com/LionelRichie/status/921518547204956160
https://twitter.com/LionelRichie/status/921803778902200320
