The contestants were singing country music this time, and their performance was somehow unexpected for some of them. If we only think at Anoop Desai who was almost about to go home last week, because of his poor performance singing “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, this night he was much better. Simon appreciated his evolution, so he’s probably safe through this stage of the competition. Anoop sang “You are always on my mind”, of Willie Nelson.

The recent widower Danny Gokey sang “Jesus Takes the Wheel” of Carrie Underwood’s, in an original manner. Danny is good, but he’s just exaggerating a bit towards the end of the performance.

Megan Joy Corkrey was touching in her original variant of Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight” and she’s probably not going to be eliminated this week.

Then we saw Matt Giraud singing “So Small” by Carrie Underwood. He surely is good, he stands good chances to become the next American Idol for Season 8.

Allison Iraheta sang “Blame it On your Heart” by Patty Loveless, in a mature way. Judges liked her performance.

Kris Allen opted for Garth Brooks’ “To Make You Feel My Love”, making it his own version in a nice way.

Who is going to go home from AI 2009 contest after the March 17th performance? We will know it very soon.

Kris Allen

Age: 23
Lives in: Conway, AR
Occupation: Kris Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas
Singing since: 13 years old.

Megan Joy Corkrey

Age: 23
Lives in: Sandy, UT, with her 2-year-old son, Ryder
Occupation: self-professed “foodie”
Singing since: 3 years of age

Anoop Desai

Age: 22
Lives in: Chapel Hill, NC.
Occupation:working on his Master’s degree in Folklore at the University of North Carolina.
Singing since: in the childhood he was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group.

Matt Giraud

Age: 23
Lives in: Kalamazoo, MI
Occupation: piano player and singer in local clubs and hotels

Danny Gokey

Age: 28
Living in:Milwaukee, WI
Occupation: president and founder of a non-profit organization

Alexis Grace

Age: 21
Living in Memphis, TN
Occupation: member of the Concert Choir at the University of Memphis
Singing since: 7 years old

Allison Iraheta

Age: 16
Lives in: Downey
Occupation: high school junior
Singing since: 5 years of age

Adam Lambert

Age: 27
Living in: Hollywood
Occupation: musical theater performer
Singing since: 10 years of age

Scott MacIntyre

Age: 23
Originating from: Scottsdale, AZ
Scott graduated from Arizona State University at age 19, and attended graduate school in London, England
Musical skills: plays piano, guitar and drums.

Jasmine Murray

Age: 17
Living in: Starkville, MS
Occupation: student at The Mississippi School of the Arts
Singing since: 3 years of age

Jorge Nunez

Age: 21
Lives in: in Carolina, Puerto Rico
Occupation: student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras

Lil Rounds

Age: 24
Living in: Memphis, TN; she is married, with three children.
Singing since: 3 years of age

Michael Sarver

Age: 27
Living in Jasper, TX; he is married with two children
Occupation: oil rig worker

Out of the 13 finalists, Anoop Desai was the last one to find a wild card. He knew he didn’t make the top 12, but he got a great surprise to discover that the top 12 is actually Top 13, for the first time in the American Idol.