Um, I can't be sure of this without going back to the Tivo, but I believe that Chris himself said he wanted to do the "Live" version instead of the original Johnny Cash version, in the section where he's working with Manilow. So he was upfront about that. It was Ryan and the judges who were going on and on about it being new and original. So please don't blame Chris for that misconception! I myself think he's very smart to realize what his successful niche really is, and to stay within it. That's what he is and what he does, and the audience can take it or leave it, their choice. I like it, myself.
I hope you are correct. I did not hear him say that. I hope I would have remembered it because I am a Live fan. I just had not gotten to that record yet.