I know, I know. There’s only one Carrie Underwood. But c’mon. You’ve got to think that every single person who stands before those American Idol judges on tonight’s (Jan. 13) premiere is hoping for that same level of Underwood success. The kind that Simon Cowell anticipated when he told her, “I will make a prediction: Not only will you win this show, you will sell more records than any other previous Idol winner.”

But rest assured, not all the auditions will be as good as Underwood’s was. MTV warns that viewers should brace themselves for the girl who does Bette Midler’s “The Rose” over a chorus of judges’ laughter (including the newest addition to the AI table of judgment, Kara DioGuardi.) But not every entry-level singer is that horrible. There are reports that one contestant does Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” and that his “twang fit the song perfectly.” So I’m looking forward to that and any other countriness that finds its way into the show.

The best part about the auditions for me, beyond just the choice of a country song I love, is the unpolished, raw talent that is so obvious when you hear it. Like Underwood’s was. She wasn’t dressed to impress. She wasn’t up there bragging about a lifetime of voice lessons. Her voice did all the work. (Well, that and the chicken-clucking thing she did at the judges’ request.) It was just so perfectly clear that she had so much potential. I may not have the crystal ball Cowell apparently has, but I predict that it’s time for another crazy awesome country singer, guy or girl, to win that show and go on to big, big things.

Source: CMT