Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood - “Wasted” (Lost to Taylor Swift)
Kelly and Reba - “Because of You” (Lost to Taylor Swift) Female Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood - “So Small” (Lost to Taylor Swift) Collaborative Video of the Year
Kelly and Reba - “Because of You” (Lost to Bon Jovi and LeAnn Rimes) Tearjerker Video of the Year
Kelly and Reba - “Because of You” (Lost to Kellie Pickler) Kellie Pickler - “I Wonder” (Winner) Performance of the Year
Kellie Pickler - “I Wonder” CMA Awards (Winner) USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year
Bucky Covington - “A Different World” (Lost to Kellie Pickler)
Kellie Pickler - “I Wonder” (Winner) Rhapsody Most Played Country Album
Carrie Underwood - “Some Hearts” (Winner)
David Archuleta — “When You Believe”
Carly Smithson — “Without You”
Syesha Mercado — “Vanishing”
Brooke White — “Hero”
Kristy Lee Cook — “Forever”
David Cook — “Always Be My Baby”
Jason Castro — “I Don’t Wanna Cry”
Name : David Archuleta
Song Title : When You Believe
Judges Thoughts : (R) Dude you can sing anything. That was the bomb. (P) You made Mariah proud. (S) I thought it was very very good. You have set the benchmark.
Name : Carly Smithson
Song Title : Without You
Judges Thoughts : (R) I liked that you challenged yourself. You have to believe and trust in yourself. It was pretty good. (P) I actually like that you shared some vocal restraint. (S) I really wanted you to sing this song. I don’t think you pulled it off.
Name : Syesha Mercado
Song Title : Vanishing
Judges Thoughts : (R) You are bold but I gotta tell you that you did a good job on it all things considered. (P) This week you have been smart. You picked a song not many people now and you’re not compared to. Overall was unbelievably magical for you. (S) Technically it was very good. I am not sure I would have chosen a song though that not many people know.
Name : Brooke White
Song Title : Hero
Judges Thoughts : (R) I was really digging it till the bridge. I appreciate the singer songwriter look. (P) Every ounce of you is authentic. I think this unplugged version was a very brave thing to do and you sounded really good. (S) I don’t think you had much choice doing other than what you did. It was like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun. The vital ingredient was missing.
Name : Kristy Lee Cook
Song Title : Forever
Judges Thoughts : (R) I didn’t think it was amazing but I gotta tell you that stepped up at the end. (P) It wasn’t just the end. You have this all worked out. Kristy Lee Cook, I am blown away. You could have a hit with that in country western. (S) You didn’t give me chills. You managed with what you could. It wasn’t ever going to be an advantage to you. It wasn’t great.
Name : David Cook
Song Title : Always Be My Baby
Judges Thoughts : (R) You are ready to make an album. I thought that was the most brilliant performance yet. (P) Thats pretty awesome. That could be in a movie soundtrack right now. (S) It was like coming out of Karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air. It was original, it was daring and stood out by a mile.
Name : Jason Castro
Song Title : I Don’t Wanna Cry
Judges Thoughts : (R) For me I didn’t love that. Weird beach luau. (P) I would love to be at that luau. You are in that zone. (S) I am going to have to agree with Paula. Not the best vocal but it was identified with you.