Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Copper Chief triumphed on the opening night of the new USA Network singing show Real Country. (USA Photo)

A Texas country-rock trio named Copper Chief won the opening night of Real Country, USA Network’s new singing show.

That means Copper Chief won a $10,000 cash prize, a chance to perform at the 2019 Stagecoach Festival and a berth in the Real Country finale.

Here’s how this new singing show works. The show has three judges — Travis Tritt, Shania Twain and Jake Owen. Each week, they each select one act for a showcase performance.

During round one, each of the three acts perform and are graded on a scale of 1 to 5 by a studio audience. The two with the highest scores advance to a second round.

In that second round, a guest judge(s) joins in to critique the act and vote along with the fans. On Tuesday’s opening show, that was Big and Rich of “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” fame.

After Week One, I’ve gotta say that this show might be airing on USA, but it’s a heck of a lot more watchable than The Four on FOX.

The talent level appears to be strong, the judges seem sincere and they certainly aren’t going to run around sounding air horns, throwing popcorn or encouraging the artists to disrespect one another.

That doesn’t mean the show doesn’t have its drawbacks. For instance …

* In Week One, the judges stressed that they were seeking a winner that will bring something fresh to country music. But the Week One theme was drinking songs, which is about as cliche to country music as you can get.

* One of the Week One contestants was a duo called The Young Fables, made up of former American Idol contestant Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford. They bill themselves as an Americana/country duo and, if you listen to their fine original music, then ask, “What country theme would I pair them with?” … well, let’s just say a night that calls for rowdy drinking songs isn’t it.

* The show’s format isn’t ideal for getting attached to a particular artists. The show’s viewers won’t see Copper Chiefs again until the season finale. Between now and then, the show will introduce three new acts each of the next six weeks.

During Tuesday’s season premiere — and it appears all these shows will be pre-taped, The Young Fables represented Shania, Adairs Run represented Jake Owen and Copper Chief represented Travis Tritt.

The Young Fables and Copper Chief made it to the night’s second round. While the Young Fable stayed true to their musical style with a cover of “Strawberry Wine,” Cooper Chief countered with a rambunctious version of “What Was I Thinking.”

Which pretty much explains why they prevailed on an episode called “Drink Up, Party Down.”

Here are the opening night performances. And it appears the songs covered by each night’s winner will be available on iTunes and Apple Music.

ROUND ONE

ROUND TWO