Idol Chatter & Voice Views

A year ago at about this time, Kristy Lee Cook was wrapping up the summer tour with the 10 finalists from season seven of American Idol.

Now she’s taking viewers of the Outdoor Channel on a tour of a different sort. For instance, to the top 10 elk hunting destinations in the nation.

That’s right, country singer Kristy has a new gig, as host and “ringmaster” for a new Outdoor Channel show called “Outdoor’s 10 Best.”

“Ringmaster” is the term used in the Outdoor Channel press release announcing the show and Kristy’s participation.

And the release assures viewers this new duty is perfected suited to the gal who seemed forever on the brink of elimination on Idol, yet somehow hung on long enough to finish seventh.

Kristy lives in a log cabin in Selma, Oregon, and has a deep passion for hunting, the release says. And anyone who watched Idol or who has followed Kristy since knows about her fondness for horses.

Now I hadn’t heard about Kristy’s passion for hunting, but her 2009 photos of fun gallery on MySpace includes a pic of her aiming a very mean-looking long gun of some sort.

Episodes of the new series will include the 10 greatest hunting lodges, the 10 deadliest hunts and the best whitetail destinations.

This past weekend, Kristy hosted a show featuring the top 10 bird hunting destinations. This week’s episode takes viewers to the best safari destinations. If you want to check it out, episodes air at noon Wednesday and 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

As for music, Kristy Lee’s 2008 album “Why Wait” was quickly forgotten. But you should check out three tunes from it — “Not Tonight,” “I Think Too Much” and “Hoping to Find.”

No word on when she’ll be releasing new music, but there’s a minute-long clip of a foot-stomping tune called “Cowgirls” on her MySpace that sounds like a hit in the making.