Seventeen-year-old country singer Mackenzie Wasner owned the Chicago auditions on the second night of the 'American Idol' premiere, easily winning her way to Hollywood Week with a stellar rendition of the Vince Gill classic 'Whenever You Come Around.'

Music talent runs in the young musician's family. Her father Pete Wasner is a Nashville singer-songwriter and keyboardist who has played with Vince Gill since before she was born. "My dad is kind of like my number one fan, he's like my own 'American Idol' judge at home," she said.

The young singer turned in a polished, professional performance that belied her years, and the judges were uniformly impressed. "Awesome!" Mariah Carey proclaimed. "I loved her voice. There's star power there that can be honed."

Nicki Minaj seemed even more impressed. "That doesn't even seem like it's in a competition," she enthused. "That sounds like we're listening to your first single."

Country's own Keith Urban gave Wasner his endorsement as well. "What I love about your voice is that you've got this great mix of strength and vulnerability," he said, likening her tone to Lee Ann Womack and Dolly Parton. And with that, the judges unanimously voted to send the budding entertainer through to Hollywood.

 

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