Posted: Friday, March 4, 2011 3:41 pm | Updated: 3:55 pm, Fri Mar 4, 2011.
‘We've got ‘Idol'-itis' By Lionel Green | lgreen@sandmountainreporter.com Sand Mountain Reporter | 1 comment
Paul McDonald is already an "American Idol" in the eyes of at least one couple in Albertville. His grandparents.
John and Peggy Spratling, who live on West Main Street, were understandably proud of McDonald, voted as one of the top 10 contestants Thursday night on Season 10 of the popular talent show.
"I told my wife we've got ‘Idol'-itis," John said.
McDonald's performance of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" on Tuesday impressed the "Idol" judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as well as a national TV audience. Dubbed the Rhinestone Cowboy after wearing a quirky white outfit last week, McDonald received high marks Tuesday for his unique vocal style, bright smile and smooth moves on stage.
"You're just so unique and different ... different, I think, from anything we've ever had on this show," Jackson said. "I love you. I'm a fan."
So are the Spratlings.
"I think he's great, but you know I'm his grandmother," Peggy said. "He has a great voice. He has a voice like Rod Stewart. We were just shocked when he decided to do this."
John admitted he was surprised, too.
"Of course, you think your grandchildren are great, but we didn't realize he'd go this far," John said. "He seems to have the talent."
McDonald , 26, is the son of 1971 Albertville High School graduate Susan McDonald and clinical psychologist Dr. David McDonald. The couple live in Huntsville's Hampton Cove community. McDonald grew up in Huntsville and attended Auburn, where he formed a band, later moving to Nashville to pursue music. He has a sister, Beth, who lives in Auburn.
His mother Susan is an occupational therapist and instructor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "Idol" rules do not allow her to grant media interviews, she said when reached by phone Friday.
"I can only say I'm his mom, and I'm proud of him," she said.
McDonald fronts a Southern rock band in Nashville called The Grand Magnolias, which has reportedly rode the singer's newfound popularity to the Billboard Heatseekers charts. He even performed one of the band's songs, "American Dreams," during his "Idol" odyssey.
"The first time I saw him play I thought, ‘Who is that?'" Peggy said. "He's just a fine young man. It's just been a wonderful experience for him, and he's made a lot of good connections."
John and Peggy, who attend First United Methodist Church in Albertville, actively campaign for their grandson.
"He has a good following because he has traveled a good bit with his band," said Peggy, who talked with him via Skype on Sunday. "About half of Albertville is voting for him. We've been recruiting for him."
The Spratlings watched the big show Thursday night when McDonald made the top 10.
"We felt confident, but we were apprehensive," John said. "We thought he would but didn't know for sure."
John is thrilled to see his grandson's success.
"My wife got the issue of ‘TV guide' (Wednesday), and there he was," John said. "It was great. He's got a big fan base all over. We're happy about it and wish him the best."
Peggy said she thought her grandson would one day be a dentist while he attended Auburn.
"He took all those hard subjects, and then formed a band while he was there," she explained. "We said, ‘OK get it out of your system.'"
Apparently, McDonald never did get it out of his system, and now he's enjoying quite a ride as one of the final 13 contestants on "American Idol."
‘We've got ‘Idol'-itis' By Lionel Green | lgreen@sandmountainreporter.com Sand Mountain Reporter | 1 comment
Paul McDonald is already an "American Idol" in the eyes of at least one couple in Albertville. His grandparents.
John and Peggy Spratling, who live on West Main Street, were understandably proud of McDonald, voted as one of the top 10 contestants Thursday night on Season 10 of the popular talent show.
"I told my wife we've got ‘Idol'-itis," John said.
McDonald's performance of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" on Tuesday impressed the "Idol" judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as well as a national TV audience. Dubbed the Rhinestone Cowboy after wearing a quirky white outfit last week, McDonald received high marks Tuesday for his unique vocal style, bright smile and smooth moves on stage.
"You're just so unique and different ... different, I think, from anything we've ever had on this show," Jackson said. "I love you. I'm a fan."
So are the Spratlings.
"I think he's great, but you know I'm his grandmother," Peggy said. "He has a great voice. He has a voice like Rod Stewart. We were just shocked when he decided to do this."
John admitted he was surprised, too.
"Of course, you think your grandchildren are great, but we didn't realize he'd go this far," John said. "He seems to have the talent."
McDonald , 26, is the son of 1971 Albertville High School graduate Susan McDonald and clinical psychologist Dr. David McDonald. The couple live in Huntsville's Hampton Cove community. McDonald grew up in Huntsville and attended Auburn, where he formed a band, later moving to Nashville to pursue music. He has a sister, Beth, who lives in Auburn.
His mother Susan is an occupational therapist and instructor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "Idol" rules do not allow her to grant media interviews, she said when reached by phone Friday.
"I can only say I'm his mom, and I'm proud of him," she said.
McDonald fronts a Southern rock band in Nashville called The Grand Magnolias, which has reportedly rode the singer's newfound popularity to the Billboard Heatseekers charts. He even performed one of the band's songs, "American Dreams," during his "Idol" odyssey.
"The first time I saw him play I thought, ‘Who is that?'" Peggy said. "He's just a fine young man. It's just been a wonderful experience for him, and he's made a lot of good connections."
John and Peggy, who attend First United Methodist Church in Albertville, actively campaign for their grandson.
"He has a good following because he has traveled a good bit with his band," said Peggy, who talked with him via Skype on Sunday. "About half of Albertville is voting for him. We've been recruiting for him."
The Spratlings watched the big show Thursday night when McDonald made the top 10.
"We felt confident, but we were apprehensive," John said. "We thought he would but didn't know for sure."
John is thrilled to see his grandson's success.
"My wife got the issue of ‘TV guide' (Wednesday), and there he was," John said. "It was great. He's got a big fan base all over. We're happy about it and wish him the best."
Peggy said she thought her grandson would one day be a dentist while he attended Auburn.
"He took all those hard subjects, and then formed a band while he was there," she explained. "We said, ‘OK get it out of your system.'"
Apparently, McDonald never did get it out of his system, and now he's enjoying quite a ride as one of the final 13 contestants on "American Idol."
