On this season of American Idol, one of the early front-runners is a rock-loving 16-year-old girl named Casey Bishop who belted out a beautiful rendition of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” on last night’s episode (April 11.)
Bishop’s performance can be seen below. All three judges – country star Luke Bryan, pop star Katy Perry and music legend Lionel Richie – were blown away by Bishop’s performance and rightfully so. She took a very popular song sung by Chris Cornell, one of the best vocalists of all time, and not only nailed it but made it her own.
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However, Bryan’s comments after her performance, while complimentary, still rubbed me the wrong way. Following Bishop’s rendition of “Black Hole Sun,” he said, “Why you chose rock, I’ll never know. But it’s your thing and you can sing no matter what you sing.”
For starters, people don’t choose rock; it chooses them. More importantly, musicians whose most memorable vocal performance came via the truly Dylan-esque “Country Girl (Shake It or Me)” (note: sarcasm) perhaps shouldn’t judge the genre choice of a teenage girl who sings better than they ever have or will.
American Idol airs on Sunday and Monday nights at 8 PM on ABC.
Slay! Casey Bishop ROCKS The Stage With Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" - American Idol 2021
If anyone can get you in the mood to ROCK, it's Casey Bishop! Performing Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" for her American Idol Top 16 performance, Casey is in...
Remembering Chris Cornell
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: Singer Chris Cornell performs at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally converted to black and white.) Musicians Chris Cornell (L) and Tom Morello of Audioslave perform at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: Musicians Chris Cornell (L) and Tom Morello of Audioslave perform at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Musicians Jack Black, Chris Cornell and Tom Morello perform at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: Musicians Chris Cornell (L) and Tom Morello of Audioslave perform at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Musicians Jack Black, Chris Cornell and Tom Morello perform at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Soundgarden performs at Citi Presents Exclusive Soundgarden Performance Celebrating 20th Anniversary of "Superunknown" at Webster Hall on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Citi)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Soundgarden performs at Citi Presents Exclusive Soundgarden Performance Celebrating 20th Anniversary of "Superunknown" at Webster Hall on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Citi)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Musician Chris Cornell performs at The Ryman Auditorium on October 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareMALIBU, CA - JANUARY 14: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Alex & Ani host ROCK4EB! with Sting and Chris Cornell at EBMRF Benefit on January 14, 2017 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for EBMRF)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 11: Musicians Chris Cornell (L) and Serj Tankian attend the "The Promise" premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 11, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 18: Chris Cornell and Family attend the New York Screening of "The Promise" at The Paris Theatre on April 18, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 11: Musician Chris Cornell (L) and Toni Cornell attend the "The Promise" premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 11, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareFORDS, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Chris Cornell attends Back To Black Friday at Vintage Vinyl on November 26, 2011 in Fords, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Musician Chris Cornell (R) attends the Saint Laurent show at The Hollywood Palladium on February 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Musician Chris Cornell attends the "Into The Woods" World Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 02: Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Jason Aldean perform on the 2014 CMT Artists Of The Year at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 2, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 13: (L-R) Musicians Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron and Jimmy Page pose at a private reception and dinner for Jimmy Page to celebrate his new autobiography "Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page" at the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas on November 13, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Musicians Chris Cornell (L) and Jimmy Page speak onstage at "An Evening With Jimmy Page And Chris Cornell In Conversation" at the Ace Hotel on November 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Musician Chris Cornell (L) and his wife Vicky Karayiannis arrive at "An Evening With Jimmy Page And Chris Cornell In Conversation" at the Ace Hotel on November 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Inductee Nancy Wilson of Heart accepts award from presenter Chris Cornell onstage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: (L-R) Musicians Tom Morello and Chris Cornell perform onstage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Singer Chris Cornell speaks in the press room at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: (L-R) Musicians Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell and inductee Nancy Wilson (L) on stage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: (L-R) Inductees Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart and presenter Chris Cornell speak onstage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Singer Chris Cornell and Vicky Karayiannis attend Neuro at 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park on February 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Neuro)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: (L-R) Musicians Dave Grohl and Chris Cornell attend the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park on February 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Musician Kim Thayil (L) and singer Chris Cornell of Soundgarden perform at The Wiltern Theater on February 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Singer Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs at The Wiltern Theater on February 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Chris Cornell of American rock group Soundgarden performs live on stage during the first day of Hard Rock Calling, at Hyde Park on July 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell of American rock group Soundgarden perform live on stage during the first day of Hard Rock Calling, at Hyde Park on July 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 11: Musician Chris Cornell and the band Sound Garden arrive at the premiere of Marvel Studios' 'The Avengers' at the El Capitan Theatre on April 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 11: (L-R) Musicians Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden arrive at the premiere of Marvel Studios' "The Avengers" at the El Capitan Theatre on April 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 11: Musician Chris Cornell (C) and family arrive at the premiere of Marvel Studios' "The Avengers" at the El Capitan Theatre on April 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs on stage at Big Day Out 2012 at the Sydney Showground on January 26, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareBEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Musician Chris Cornell (L) and wife Vicky Karayiannis arrive at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCULVER CITY, CA - DECEMBER 03: Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave and daughter arrive at the VH1 Big In '05 Awards held at Stage 15 on the Sony lot on December 3, 2005 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCULVER CITY, CA - DECEMBER 03: Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave and daughter arrives at the VH1 Big In '05 Awards held at Stage 15 on the Sony lot on December 3, 2005 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCULVER CITY, CA - DECEMBER 03: Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave and daughter arrives at the VH1 Big In '05 Awards held at Stage 15 on the Sony lot on December 3, 2005 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOOD - SEPTEMBER 10: Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave poses backstage with his daughter Toni at the "ReAct Now: Music & Relief" benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California. The special, featuring musical performances from a wide array of artists, seeks to raise much-needed funds for The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and similar organizations as they continue their relief efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOOD - SEPTEMBER 10: The members of Audioslave pose backstage at the "ReAct Now: Music & Relief" benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California. The special, featuring musical performances from a wide array of artists, seeks to raise much-needed funds for The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and similar organizations as they continue their relief efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOOD - SEPTEMBER 10: Audioslave perform at the "ReAct Now: Music & Relief" benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California. The special, featuring musical performances from a wide array of artists, seeks to raise much-needed funds for The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and similar organizations as they continue their relief efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOOD - SEPTEMBER 10: Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave poses backstage with his daughter Toni at the "ReAct Now: Music & Relief" benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California. The special, featuring musical performances from a wide array of artists, seeks to raise much-needed funds for The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and similar organizations as they continue their relief efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareIRVINE, CA - MAY 21: Lead singer Chris Cornell of Audioslave performs at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on May 21, 2005 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareIRVINE, CA - AUGUST 16: Lead singer of Audioslave Chris Cornell performs on the main stage during the show at Lollapalooza at the Verizon Amphitheatre in Irvine, California August 16, 2003. Lollapalooza is a multi act festival that is touring the country. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareFORDS, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Chris Cornell attends Back To Black Friday at Vintage Vinyl on November 26, 2011 in Fords, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 11: Musician/actor Chris Cornell arrives at the premiere of "Machine Gun Preacher" at Roy Thomson Hall during the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 09: Musician/actor Chris Cornell of "Machine Gun Preacher" poses for a portrait during 2011 Toronto Film Festival on September 9, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 27: Musicians Kim Thayil, Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden attend the "Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock" launch at Paramount Studios on September 27, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Activision)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareBEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 28: Musician Chris Cornell and family arrive at the screening of Disney's "Tinker Bell And The Great Fairy Rescue" on August 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareBEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 28: Musician Chris Cornell and family arrive at the screening of Disney's "Tinker Bell And The Great Fairy Rescue" on August 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 08: Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs onstage and headlines the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Grant Park on August 8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCHICAGO - MARCH 13: Timbaland (L) and Chris Cornell (R) appear in the Verizon Mobile Recording Studio Bus on March 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for BWR Public Relations)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareBERLIN - FEBRUARY 27: Singer Chris Cornell is performing at the Columbia Club on February 27, 2009 in Berlin, Germany (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Musician Chris Cornell performs at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareWASHINGTON - DECEMBER 07: Musician Chris Cornell arrives with daughter Toni at the Kennedy Center for the Kennedy Center Honors on December 7, 2008 in Washington, DC. In its 31st year, the Kennedy Center Honors recognizes honorees for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 05: Musician Chris Cornell and daughter attend the Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on September 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 05: Musician Chris Cornell and family attend the Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on September 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareCARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Musician Chris Cornell performs at LA's Home Depot Center on September 15, 2007 in Carson, California. (Photo by Paul Butterfield/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareBEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 11: Actor Chris Cornell and his family attend the John Varvatos 5th Annual Stuart House Benefit at the John Varvatos store March 11, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLONDON - NOVEMBER 15: Chris Cornell and guest arrive at the 2006 World Music Awards at Earls Court on November 15, 2006 in London. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 19: Musician Chris Cornell and his daughter attend the John Varvatos 4th Annual Stuart House Benefit at the John Varvatos Boutique on March 19, 2006 in West Hollywood, California. The Stuart House serves the special needs of child victims of sexual abuse. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareHOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 08: Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell and guest arrive at the SONY BMG Grammy Party held at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on February 8, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Remembering Chris Cornell
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Chris Cornell and guest arrive at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
