Country rocks Portales
Former American Idol contestant comes to ENMU
By: Vanessa Kahin
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Entertainment
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According to CMT.com, Covington placed eighth on the hit TV show American Idol in 2006. On his Web site, Covington stated that after his stint on American Idol his aim was not to gain musical success that would rise and fade in five years, but that he wants a steady music career marked by its longevity.
The key to this longevity may be in Covington's down to earth personality as well as his willingness to keep a repetoire broad enough to include much more than his own country hits. On Wednesday, Covington steered clear from acting the part of untouchable music star and was instead a relatable boy next door type who is not above telling Chuck Norris jokes. He proudly cheered on his identical twin brother, Rocky Covington, when the latter took the mic to sing.
There was room in Covington's concert for a variety of musical styles. Clad in a T-shirt and jeans and prone to waving around his long hair, the only thing noticeably country about Covington's appearance were his boots.
Aside from singing his own country hits, he sang well-known country tunes such as "Keep Your Hands To Yourself." At times Covington leaned more toward rock music than country, including an instance when he led the crowd to sing parts of his rendition of the Pink Floyd classic, "Another Brick in the Wall."
Regardless of what Covington was singing, many audience members chose to grab a dance partner and two-step to the beat.
Although many in the audience had seen Covington on American Idol, many more seemed to be ardent country music fans who never saw the TV show but know Covington through the work he has done since the show and his hit songs such as "A Different World," "I'll Walk" and "It's Good To Be Us."
Sophomore and pre-med student Hillary Edwards, 20, said Covington was one of her favorite contestants on American Idol. She said she still watches the show when her studies and job as a resident assistant allow the time. Edwards said she was surprised Covington would come to Portales.
"I thought it was really cool, because (Portales) is such a small town," Edwards said of Covington's concert.
Danielle Jones, a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in communication, said she was also surprised when she heard Covington, who she described as a relatively famous country music singer, was coming to town. She attended the concert with freshman Megan Bryant, 19, who is majoring in graphic design.
Bryant said that neither she nor Jones follow American Idol.
"I just started listening to (Covington) on the radio," Bryant said.
Covington spoke of the work he is doing now, including the planned release of a second album later this year, but he did not fail to graciously and even humorously acknowledged American Idol, the venue that helped his music career.
Covington asked the audience if they had ever watched American Idol.
"I watched that same show," Covington said, "especially that one year." Shrugging his shoulders, he added, "it was a good year."