Toby Keith Reveals Why He Passed on American Idol Judge Gig.

Toby Keith was one of the country stars rumored to be in the running for a spot on the American Idol judges panel next season, and he now confirms those rumors were true. The spot ultimately went to Keith Urban, but Toby didn't take long to pass on the opportunity. It's not that Toby was unhappy with the financial aspect of the deal. He says, "It's a great big TV show.  Lucrative deal.  Lot of money, but it's a lot of time." The American Idol judges panel has been working for a few weeks now, and they won't be done until the next season wraps in May 2013. That was just too much for Toby, who will release his new album, Hope on the Rocks, on October 30. "I know three weeks in that I'd be going, 'I can't believe I did this.  I am so mad at myself.  I knew better,'" Toby says. "And so, instead of even thinking about it or letting somebody down, allow them to move on and get who they want." The new season of American Idol premieres in January with Keith Urban sitting next to new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey and returning judge Randy Jackson.

Keith Urban Was On a Singing Competition As a Nine-Year-Old...And One of the Judges "Crucified" Him

KEITH URBAN is NOT going to be a hard-a** judge on "American Idol". The reason is because he competed on a singing show in Australia as a kid and one of the judges brutalized him. Keith said, quote, "I did a show when I was 9. I actually did a show in Australia, one of these kinds of shows with three judges, and one of them just completely crucified me. "He also said to me, 'I encourage you to get out of country music, just get rid of that nonsense [and] get into some real music.' I obviously took it to heart." As for what Keith DID learn from that judge,  he says, quote, "I know that I'll never be THAT guy."

Carrie Underwood Says "American Idol" Would Be Wise to Finally Have A Country Star As Judge

Last we heard "American Idol" was trying to work out a deal for either KEITH URBAN or BRAD PAISLEY to be a judge for this season. CARRIE UNDERWOOD says that's a good move, simply because the audience seems to want it. She said, quote, "I do think it would be wise to have a country person be a judge. You look at the track record of 'American Idol', and there's me and SCOTTY [MCCREERY] and LAUREN [ALAINA] who were the final two. "There's obviously a want for it from the audience because that's who they are voting for. So, it makes sense they would have somebody they know and love in as a judge."

Did Toby Keith Say No To Being a Judge on "American Idol"?

According to Examiner.com, TOBY KEITH did an interview for a small California newspaper where he admitted that he turned down an offer to be a judge on "American Idol". Apparently, Toby was offered STEVEN TYLER'S job earlier this month, but he said no because he couldn't take that much time off from his career.

(--Just last week we heard "Idol" was "seriously considering" bringing in BRAD PAISLEY to be a judge. Sounds like they went to Brad AFTER Toby said no. Hey, who knows for sure?)

Lauren Alaina Says Brad Paisley Would Make a Great American Idol Judge.

Brad Paisley's name has surfaced as a potential judge for American Idol's upcoming 12th season, and season 10 finalist Lauren Alaina thinks Brad would be a good fit for the show. She's met him a few times and says, "I think that that would be really cool. He has a great personality. Every time I've talked with him, he's super nice." As one of the notable country artists to come from American Idol, Lauren thinks having Brad or another country star on the judges' panel is the right move for the show. "As far as country music as a whole, it's not really been, like, present every season," Lauren explains, "and I feel like that would definitely step it up a little bit on the show." Mariah Carey has signed on to serve as an American Idol judge next year, and her friend and original judge Randy Jackson is expected to return for the 12th season.

Carrie Underwood Says Simon Cowell Hates Country Music

CARRIE UNDERWOOD is doing press in advance of her first tour of the United Kingdom this summer. During one interview she admitted that former "American Idol" judge SIMON COWELL despises country music. Carrie said, quote, "Before the ('Idol') audition, I was told, 'You know Simon hates country music, right?' And I was like, 'Oh no! What else am I supposed to do?' But I did what I know I can do, and he recognized that." We know that Simon became a huge fan of Carrie. And the feeling is mutual. She believes his no B.S. attitude is one of the reasons he's such a good judge. She said, quote, "I love the judges now, but it's a whole new show. I would love the contestants to have to go through Simon. It's fun to watch him being brutally honest."

Carrie Underwood Sends Words of Encouragement and Gifts to American Idol Hopefuls.

It's been quite a few years since Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner of American Idol, but she still makes a point to reach out to the contestants on the show every season. Idol season 11 contestant Hollie Cavanagh tweeted over the weekend thanking Carrie for a necklace the country star sent her. Hollie said, "I wear it everyday, and I almost cried reading the letter." Carrie tweeted back, "You're very welcome! I never miss a show! You guys are so good. Can't wait to hear what you all come up with!" Country fans will definitely want to tune in to American Idol this Thursday as season 10 champ Scotty McCreery performs on the results show. That airs at 8 on Fox.

Could "American Idol's" Scotty McCreery Be the Next Taylor Swift?

SCOTTY MCCREERY may or may not end up winning "American Idol". It's down to him and LAUREN ALAINA. But I'm willing to bet he's going to have a solid career either way. And here's why. He's already writing songs that can make young girls cry. That's according to Scotty's longtime guitar teacher, a man named Gary Epperson. He said, quote, "I heard (Scotty) do a song about a girl. "It was about how she had broken his heart and the girl at the party (was) cryin'." Obviously, one song doesn't make a career . . . but this does prove Scotty has skills. The kind of skills that have made TAYLOR SWIFT one of the biggest stars on the planet.

"American Idol" Producers Are Doing a Country Singing Competition on CMT

CMT is doing another "American Idol"-type talent show . . . but this time it has some heavy hitters behind it. It's being produced by NIGEL LYTHGOE and his son SIMON. Nigel was an executive producer on "American Idol" and you may recognize him as one of the judges on "So You Think You Can Dance". He also co-created that show. The new show is called "CMT's Next Superstar" and it's supposed to debut sometime in April. They're doing 10 episodes and will announce the winner during the "CMT Music Awards". No word yet on who the judges will be. Here's Nigel explaining why this show will be so very different, quote, "Country music is all about storytelling, personalities and putting yourself into the songs. "This show is not about going to a set, it's about being in a location that has history to it. We're down and dirty in the heart of Nashville. "It's not just going to be another 'American Idol' production, why would I be involved in that? I've got the best. From my point of view, I want to change it up totally."