Josh Gracin

Have you ever watched American Idol (oh, just admit it already) and wondered what happens to all those amazing kids that come in like fourth or fifth? Well, Josh Gracin was that guy in the second season who everybody thought would win because he was a United States Marine and because he countrified every song he sang like hot gravy was running through his veins. He took the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" (a song that had been countrified years ago by the Flying Burrito Brothers) and sang it to his baby girl, whom he cradled in the crook of his arm, fumbling with a mic in his other hand. It was amazing not only because the performance was so heartfelt, but also because he took the romantic intent of the song and turned it into an endearing lullaby. His recorded music is like that. On the surface it may sound a bit like everything else being pumped out of Nashville's assembly line, but upon closer listen, you can hear really innovative ideas going on underneath the surface.