(CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that's happening with country music artists behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.)

Carrie Underwood is hoping the news about Keith Urban joining American Idol is true. Or, at least, that someone like him will sign on as a judge. Underwood told The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, "I feel like we've heard just about every artist's name under the sun as far as who is going to be a judge, but I do think it would be wise to have a country person in." She talked about Idol's track record in country music, with her own success -- and that of Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina. "There's obviously a want for it [country music] from the American Idol-watching audience because that's who they are voting for," she said. "So it makes sense they would have somebody they know and love in as a judge." And even though she claims to not know whether or not Urban has really inked his deal, she says she's excited as anyone else to see who gets the job. And if Urban is indeed the one, wouldn't it be nice for the new country judge and the former country winner to get together on a song? I could see an Urban/Underwood duet during a classic country week. They could do any of Urban's favorites: Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" or Don Williams' "Circle Driveway."