Toby Keith turned down an opportunity to join the American Idol judges’ panel. According to an interview with the newspaper, The Inland Empire Weekly, Idol bosses contacted him in early July, but the country superstar said no, due to Idol’s demanding schedule.
If Idol is serious about adding stars to the table who are outspoken, Toby would be their guy. He’s never been shy about speaking his mind, particularly on politics.–usually falling on the “right” side of controversies. There is that possibility he would have turned off more viewers than he would have charmed. I would have given him a chance, but I have to admit my initial knee-jerk reaction would have been Just. No.
Rumors that Idol is interested in hiring another country star, Brad Paisley, indicate that the show is serious about adding a voice to the panel from the country world.