Disclaimer: I have never seen a full episode of American Idol in my life. In fact, I despise the fact that a singer has to conform to a particular brand for entertainment's sake.

With that said, I was very excited for the chance to meet the current reigning American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery and runner up, Lauren Alaina, in the K102 studios, promoting their music and American Idol tour stop at the Target Center in Minneapolis. I was pleasantly surprised by both Lauren and Scotty's personable and light-hearted approach to the interviews.

Lauren Alaina of Rossville, Georiga was first to take the hot seat with the K102's Wake-Up Crew. She reported that she is recovering nicely after a tumble in a pair of dangerously high shoes, the haunted Idol mansion and that her album is nearly complete for its autumn release.

She also talked about her single, "Like My Mother Does" and its video, which premiers August 8th, contains family home videos and a cameo by her mother. She revealed that she still sings the song to her mother each night on the tour. It was astounding to hear how eloquently she spoke for being a girl of only SIXTEEN. I don't remember too much of being 16, but I know I was never as well spoken as she was on stage, though that didn't hinder from showing her true Southern girl personality.

She joked effortlessly with Donna and Muss, especially when t came to talking about her fellow tour mate, American Idol Winner Scotty McCreey. Muss asked what Scotty's most annoying habit on tour and after a beat of silence she announced it was his excessive sleeping. She said that he will just wonder off prior to a show then appear right before he's about to go on, looking polished in his button down.

Next up on stage was the reigning Idol Champion, Scotty McCreery from Garner, North Carolina. I wouldn't have been able to differentiate Scotty MCCreery dressed down in a Coca-cola vintage tee and camo baseball cap from a neighboring farm boy back home if he wasn't introduced properly. It was a shocking reminder of his age (ONLY 17) when he noted that he had to fly home right after the Idol finale to take an AP test for high school. The drive home also gave him one of the most unforgettable experiences in a musician's career, hearing himself on the radio for the first time.

He was polite, charming and even took quite a few jokes on his behalf with class when Muss and Donna played "who knows who best" between him and Lauren. Let's just say, the questions were definitely not skewed in his favor with questions like "what's her blood type" for him and "what city is he from" for Lauren.

Its easy to forget when you see people on tv and the radio that they aren't normal people. I can't reiterate enough how impressed I was by their maturity and down to earth they were; considering last year their biggest worries were chores, Geometry tests and passing their driver's license test, and now they are making records and selling out stadiums.

Its true, I have been vocal about how much I abhor Scotty's single "I Love You This Big." And I still believe its a half-hearted attempt at songwriting, but that has NO reflection on the abilities of the singer. Its easy to be an American Idol hater as its one of the top rated and over talked about shows on television. However, the much over-produced musical tv game show has uncovered some of the countries most talented musicians (and some not so talented), who if not for the show, would not been able to pursue their dreams. For that, I give American Idol credit.

And while I am a cautious pop/country supporter, I truly believe that if Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina want to have a lasting career in music they possess the talent to do so; just remember to always keep true to yourself and your music. I wish them the best of luck in their musical endeavors!

Enjoy the Music,
Aly