Article from Bucky's hometown: he's getting Carrie Underwood' votes
Covington returns to his country roots for Idol performance
By R. Shawn Lewis/Richmond County Daily Journal
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 12:32 AM EST
So long, Jessica Simpson and Buddy Holly.
Buckys back in Tinseltown.
Richmond Countys Bucky Covington returned to his country roots on Tuesdays American Idol, complete with faded jeans, cowboy boots and a black cowboy hat.
The 28-year-old stole the show with his rousing rendition of Tim McGraws Real Good Man.
Man, didnt that feel good? I tell you what. That felt good, Bucky said in a phone interview from Hollywood.
At least one of the Idol judges agreed.
Definitely the right choice for you, man! judge Randy Jackson said. I like that better.
After two theme weeks (Stevie Wonder and the 1950s) that really didnt suit Bucky, the nations most famous singing body shop worker rediscovered his style in a big way during 21st century week.
I felt comfortable with it, Bucky said. And I was happy with it. I just hope it was enough.
If last years Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, has any pull, it might just have been.
One of the producers came up to me after the show and said Carrie Underwood texted him a message and said to tell Bucky hes got all of my votes, he said.
The fans speak
Buckys family and fans raved about the performance.
I thought that was awesome, said Terra Covington, the singers sister-in-law.
Terra was among the crowd gathered around the big screen on Rockinghams Cole Plaza. Rockingham Downtown Corp. staged a block party to rally around Bucky, who was among the bottom two vote-getters last week.
He aint going nowhere right now, she said. I loved the new look and the new outfit. I think a lot of people will.
Diane Masterson, whose boyfriend Eric Whitfield plays in Caddy Wampus with Bucky and his twin Rocky, raved about the performance.
Ive been saying the whole time that he ought to go back to that look. He was just so good, Masterson said.
Simon says
As usual, the praise wasnt as forthcoming from judge Simon Cowell. Cowell, an Englishman, apparently didnt follow Buckys Richmond County twang.
I couldnt understand a single word you said, Cowell scoffed.
I dont get that, Bucky said. My vocal coach just came up to me and said it was good. Weve been working on that.
Buckys fans heard every word.
Its a southern thang, Mr. Cowell. You wouldnt understand, one woman said.
I heard everything just fine, said Emily Tucker, interim director of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce. I dont know what Simon is talking about. We understand Bucky just fine.
He did Richmond County proud.
Rocky agreed.
That right there just shows that Simon Cowell is not a country music fan and that gets in the way of him being a fair judge, Rocky said. That was a great choice and Bucky nailed it.
Bucky did a heckuva job. You have to look past your own opinions and judge the song. Hes getting me a little agitated.
But Bucky wasnt the only one feeling Cowells wrath.
He aint been nice to nobody, Rocky said. At least hes being fair that way.
Buckys father, Gene, said he understood the judges motive.
He gets paid big money for his remarks, Gene said. Hes dogged everyone tonight. Ol Simon, hes gotta get his two cents in.
The show wouldnt be the same without him. Lets face it, though. Simon aint no country singer.
The competition
Bucky faces elimination along with nine other contestants. They are:
Lisa Tucker, who sang Because of You by former Idol winner Kelli Clarkson.
It was an OK version of it. Just all right, not good, Jackson said.
You gotta take a new twist on the song and make it your own, judge Paula Abdul said.
It was painful, Cowell said.
Tucker has been among the three lowest vote-getters two weeks in a row.
Kellie Pickler of Albemarle sang Suds in a Bucket by Sara Evans.
Im just a little puzzled by the song choice, Jackson said. I think youre better than that.
Youve got six years of songs to choose from and you choose Soap Suds in a Bucket, Cowell said.
Ace Young sang Drops of Jupiter by Train.
Once again, completely the wrong song, Jackson said.
Abdul was more fascinated by Youngs scar than his vocal performance.
That wasnt a great vocal, Cowell said. I actually thought it was quite karaoke.
Taylor Hicks sang Trouble by Ray LaMontagne.
To me, it wasnt a great song because it didnt let you show off, Jackson said.
I quite liked the song, Cowell said. I thought it was an excellent vocal.
Mandisa sang Shackles (Wanna Praise You) by Mary Mary.
The song choice, I dont quite get it, Jackson said.
Abdul disagreed, saying 40 million Americans are now worshipping at the church of Mandisa.
Cowell described it as a bit indulgent. I just didnt get that.
Chris Daughtry of McLeansville sang What If by Creed.
It wasnt my favorite, Jackson said. You were sharp most of that song.
That was indulgent, Cowell said. There is a line you dont cross. Creed would not be seen dead on this show.
Katherine McPhee sang The Voice Within by Christina Aguilera.
You sang it kinda just like the record, Jackson said. You didnt bring anything new to it.
Cowell disagreed.
I thought it was the best tonight, he said. Almost almost as good as Christina.
Paris sang Work It Out by Beyonce.
Cowell called her effort precocious.
Elliott sang I Dont Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw.
Cowell criticized the arrangement.
Whats next?
Bucky will learn his fate before a live audience at 9 p.m. today on Fox (Time Warner Cable 11, satellite channel 18.)
I think Buckys in the clear, Rocky said.
I think that will keep him in there tonight, Gene said.
Bucky thanked his growing legion of fans for their votes.
I wouldnt be this far without Richmond County supporting me, he said. Im having a ball. Every time they pick that up that phone and vote, theyre making my dream come true.
Tell everybody just thank you so much. Im more happy to make yall proud of me than I am anything else.
Yeah, he's not a bad singer, but he's hardly "star" quality, either. If I was to see the Idol tour, his set would be the point in the show where I'd hit the concession stand. 
