According to Taylor's bandmates he was going to sing Hank Jr. but when he got arrested the producers pulled his song. The band knew CR and that was why it was chosen. CR was not Taylor's first, second or probably last choice.
He was interviewed and said he loved country music, especially Ronnie Milsap. Hell he could have sang any Kenny Rogers song ten times better than Kenny. Yet the way the intro was done it was edited to sound like Taylor was clueless to the genre. HELLO, he's from Alabama. Do the producers think we are really that dumb? His song Hell of a Day and West Texas Sky are country songs, good ones at that. They also tell a story. Remember Kenny's patronizing on that point? I always keep in mind it's still tv first.
He should have been allowed to sing it anyway. I didn't even know jr was arrested til somone posted about it. lol I think it was a lame excuse.
thank you thank you thank....you summed up all that i was worried about....WHY would anyone from Alabama sing John Denver for goodness sake - and if what you said is true, I now understand....I love Taylor...I hope he wins....