Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol fans will have several reasons to tune in to the Grammys Sunday night on CBS (8 p.m.).

Kelly Clarkson is scheduled to perform.  She’ll sing the Grammy-nominated “Don’t You Want to Leave” with Jason Aldean.

Carrie Underwood is scheduled to perform.  She’s in a  duet with Tony Bennett, having recorded “It Had to Be You” for his Grammy-nominated “Duets II” album.

But most of all, American Idol will be trying to run its Grammy streak to seven years.

For the last six years, at least one former Idol contestant has won a Grammy.  Last year, Fantasia kept the streak alive, winning her first ever with the Grammy for best female R&B performance for her single “Bittersweet.”

Winning won’t be as easy in 2012.  Several categories have been merged.  Separate genre awards for males and females have been eliminated in many categories.

But Idol has three nominees, including Carrie and Kelly.

** Kelly and Jason Aldean are nominated for Best Country Duo or Group Performance.  The competition includes “Barton Hallow” by the Civil Wars, “You and Tequila” by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, and “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” by Thompson Square.

** Carrie is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for Mama’s Song.  She’ll be up against Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee,” Taylor Swift’s “Mean,” Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” and Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.”

** Mandisa is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album for “What If We Were Real.” The other nominations went to “Ghosts Upon the Earth” by Gungor, “Leaving Eden” by Brandon Heath, “The Great Awakening” by Leeland, and “Black and White” by Royal Tailor.

I’ll be particularly interested to see what Mandisa’s wearing Sunday night.

After last year’s show, she sent out this tweet:  “I already got my dress for the Dove Awards, but after seeing Lady Gaga, Cee-Lo and Nicki Minaj, I’m thinkin I might need to step it up.”

You don’t recall what they were wearing?

Well, I don’t know about Cee Lo, but Lady Gaga showed up in an egg and Nicki showed up in a leopard print outfit with a fur ball of some sort on her head.

Here’s a link to the photo gallery from last year’s show to serve as a reminder.

Two images you’ll find there that we probably won’t see in 2012 — Katy Perry being cuddly with Russell Brand, and Jennifer Lopez being cuddly with Marc Anthony.