Rayvon Owen's Willie Nelson Cover Is Unexpected

This week on American Idol, contestant Rayvon Owen will take on a Willie Nelson classic. Mentor Scott Borchetta says the choice was unexpected.

“I don’t think you would ever see Rayvon in all of his previous performances and (expect it),” Borchetta tells Taste of Country about the Richmond, Va. native's choice. He'll sing "Always on My Mind" Wednesday night (April 15). That's one of two 'American Classics' he'll take on. Owen's version of the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Runnin'" is also sure to raise eyebrows. Borchetta says it should be his best of the season, but admits that after needing to be saved by fans on Twitter for two straight weeks, it's do or die time for Owen.

“I think he’s in a dangerous place now. You don’t want it to look like Groundhog Day,” the Big Machine Label Group CEO says, referring to the popular Bill Murray movie. “I think it’s a critical week. He’s either found support or not.”

The Twitter save will be back on Wednesday, but the procedure will be eliminated in the next few weeks. Fan-favorite Nick Fradiani hasn't needed his fans on Twitter to step up yet, and Borchetta's enthusiasm for his two performances on Wednesday night leads one to believe he'll be safe again.

The Connecticut native is singing Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young," but it's not the uptempo version everyone knows and loves.

“He flipped it on his head. He turned it into this completely touching ballad,” Borchetta says.

With each artist performing two songs, there was no room for a co-mentor this week. One contestant will be sent home before the show ends, as the judges are out of saves. Taste of Country talks to Borchetta every Wednesday morning. The show airs on FOX at 8PM ET each Wednesday night.

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