Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Grace Leer, 27, of Nashville, performs during the American Idol Season 18 auditions. (ABC Photo)

Grace, 27, is a country artist living in Nashville. When she was 11, she made it to the Top 20 on American Juniors.

Guess who was the host? That’s right: Ryan Seacrest.

Then it was time for her to audition in front of Idol’s celebrity judges. And she made a big impression, first with her cover of “Crowded Table” by the Highwomen and then with an a cappella version of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.”

Then, on Monday’s episode, we saw her advance from Hollywood Week’s genre round following a fine performance of “Unchained Melody.”

Here’s what Grace told Idol Chatter about her audition and her original music.

Idol Chatter: How did you wind up auditioning for American Idol Season 18 (ABC Season 3) and what prompted you to do it this year?

Grace: I was reached out to someone through Idol to come try out! I have been doing music for a long time but I still have not gotten that “break.” I am hoping that American Idol might be able to get me to that next level by giving me the opportunity to learn from people like Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and sing on a bigger stage.

Idol Chatter: Obviously, American Juniors was mentioned in your bio package. Had you tried any other singing shows in the 15 years in between? If so, how did it go and did the experience help when it came time for this year’s Idol?

Grace: I auditioned for The Voice when I was 23 and the experience was great but I did not advance far enough to make it on Television! During that audition I still did not know who I was as an artist and was still growing as a woman. I feel that experience helped steer me towards Nashville and towards finding my own sound.

Idol Chatter: Why did you choose “Crowded Table” and “Crazy” for your audition songs? What’s your performance history with those songs (for instance, is it one you’ve performed often)?

Grace: I chose “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen because the minute I heard this album I said “This is something I would put out.” It is that classic country vibe that I love so much and it’s similar to the music Kyle Clouse and I write. Everything from the writing, vocals, harmonies and musicianship from Brandi Carlie, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby is incredible and exactly what country music needs right now.

I actually did not prepare to sing “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, but when Katy Perry wanted to hear a sad country song it was the first one that popped in my head. I have performed it many times but Kyle and I did not rehearse it which is why I sang it a cappella! I absolutely love Patsy Cline and have always loved singing classic country.

Idol Chatter: You got very emotional upon hearing the judges’ feedback. Can you explain what was running through your mind? What was that audition process like?

Grace: I was so emotional! I have never been overcome with emotion like that before. I have been singing pretty much my whole life and have had a lot of ups and downs in my music career. It is one thing for your friends and family to tell you that you are talented, but to hear it from people like Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan was something else. It was not just them giving me “3 yes’s”, it was how they were truly listening to my voice and also pinpointing the type of artist I am.

It gave me validation that the direction I am going with my country music is the right direction and that what Kyle Clouse and I have been doing in Nashville is working. It is hard to put it into words but I just remember looking down at the American Idol logo at my feet as they were saying such nice things to me and thinking in my head “Is this really happening?” I will never forget that day and I am forever grateful.

Idol Chatter: You’ve released a pair of singles as The Grace Leer band. Do you have more original music ready to release? If so, can you tell me a little about that? And how would you describe your original music?

Grace: Kyle Clouse is the main songwriter for The Grace Leer Band and he is incredibly talented. We have a list of original country songs that he has written and that we have written together. I would describe our sound as classic and ’90s country with a little bit of a modern twist. We both really love and have been influenced by 90’s country music like The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Jo Dee Messina!

For more on Grace, her background and her social media links, head here.