Almost every "American Idol" season, country music night is the one to be feared.

Even the strongest of singers have stumbled over this theme.

But this time around, it wasn't as painful as it could have been. While favorites like Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey didn't exactly deliver the chill-inducing performances one might have expected, there were still some nice moments.

The shocker of the night was clearly Anoop Desai, who delivered in a way that many viewers probably didn't expect after last week's debacle.

Now it's up to the voters. Who has sung their honky-tonk swan song?

Matt Giraud
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Audition city: Louisville, Kentucky

As Kara said, there was nothing small about Matt Giraud when he sang Carrie Underwood’s “So Small.”

His performance was heartfelt, stirring and you could hear hearts melting all across the country. He was hot!

Randy said it was his favorite performance of the night and Simon compared him to Michael Buble.

Do we think maybe Giraud is beyond safe this week?

-–Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Megan Joy
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
Audition city: Salt Lake City, Utah

You thought you might be in for trouble when Megan Joy said, prior to her performance of  “Walking After Midnight” by Patsy Cline, that “It is what it is.”

Joy had the flu and burst into a bout of coughing after singing. The judges gave her points for soldiering on.

Randy said it was “rocky and bluesy” and Paula said that if this is the flu she should have it all the time.

Maybe it sounded better in studio because over the air there were a few cringe-worthy moments.

Your thoughts?

–Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Anoop Desai
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Audition city: Kansas City, Missouri

Being in the bottom two last week obviously shook Anoop Desai.

So this week he seemed determined to bring his “A” game singing the Willie Nelson classic “Always On My Mind.”

It was pretty great. His vocals were tight and showed that he can really sing.

Simon, who had been his biggest detractor, said he managed to go “From zero to hero” and proclaimed it one of his favorite performances of the night.

Will America also be as pleasantly surprised?

–Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Danny Gokey
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Audition city: Kansas City, Missouri
You naughty “American Idol.” How you do like to fake me out.

Watching Danny Gokey’s rehearsal of the Carrie Underwood hit “Jesus Take The Wheel” had me completely freaked out. “He’s going to forget the words, he’s going to forget the words,” I yelped. Randy Travis was worried too.

Gokey started a little rough and I grabbed the edge of my remote control. Then he managed to pull it out.

That white jacket? Not a great look.

-Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Alexis Grace
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Audition City: Louisville, Kentucky

Alexis Grace looks like Dolly Parton? Really?

She did sort of sound like Dolly, singing Parton’s “Jolene,” and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

It was rough in some parts and the classic “American Idol” criticism of “pitchy,” though it had some nice moments. She promises if she comes back next week she'll "dirty" it up a bit.

But will that promise be enough for the viewers?

-Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Scott MacIntyre
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Audition city: Phoenix, Arizona

Martina McBride songs are popular tonight - but I’m not quite sure why MacIntyre chose “Wild Angels.”

The piano playing was nice, but I found myself wanting the camera to switch back to the mosh pit where Ryan Seacrest was hanging out.

I agreed with Paula that the piano might be a bit of a crutch to MacIntyre and there needs to more of a focus on his voice. MacIntyre’s comment on “losing a lot of hat picks” went over most people’s heads, I think, if he was trying to make the point that he hasn’t had great songs to pick from.

I agree with Kara that he needs to up his game. What do you think?

Adam Lambert
Hometown: Los Angeles
Audition city: San Francisco

Admit it.

You were a little afraid when you envisioned Adam Lambert singing country music. Apparently so was Randy Travis.

Lambert’s version of the great Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” was, um, different. He hit some notes that I’m not sure were even envisioned when the song was composed.

Kara was left admittedly confused and Simon’s “What the hell was that” got more cheers than jeers – though he may have taken it too far when he called it “horrific.”

Wow.

–Lisa Respers France, CNN.com Writer

Lil Rounds
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Audition city: Kansas City, Missouri

Such a slowed down version of “Independence Day” by Martina McBride may seem like sacrilege to some lovers of country music, but that could have been forgiven if Lil Rounds if Lil Rounds had been a bit more comfortable singing the song.

Initially, she seemed a bit afraid and it wasn’t her best performance. Kudos to her for stepping out of her R & B zone so hopefully that will score her some points.

The judges tried to be encouraging-even though Simon called her “Little” instead of Lil and compared her to a wedding singer.

Kris Allen
Hometown: Conway, Arkansas
Audition City: Louisville, Kentucky

How smooth was Kris?

Somewhere Garth Brooks must be smiling at this rendition “To Make You Feel My Love.” Relaxed, focused and just the right touch of cute was this performance.

I held my breath over a couple of those notes, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I didn't even miss his guitar.

–Lisa Respers France, CNN Writer