Friday news: Power Picks, Fox and Friends and more...

Bucky Covington's debut CD is in stores now, and his music video is available for online viewing at CMT.com and Yahoo Music. You can buy Bucky's album at Amazon, Best Buy , iTunes, WalMart Music and Target, hear the full version of his single "A Different World" at CMT and GAC, or enjoy samples of songs from the CD at Bucky's official MySpace. An autographed copy of Bucky Covington can be ordered while supplies last at his official site or via his official fan club.

Bucky's video for "A Different World" will face a head- to-head challenge on CMT's Power Picks, which begins at 12 noon ET; click here to go directly to the Power Picks main page. At noon, hit the "Vote Now" button, keep that voting window open and get ready to mouse-click away...

Fox & Friends aired earlier this morning, and Bucky's live performance of "A Different World" closed out the show on a sweet note. (As I was typing this during the program, the hosts mentioned that Bucky was a victim of yet another baggage displacement on his way from Las Vegas to New York, and they speculated about what Bucky might or might not wear--they did, however, hasten to add that he would indeed be performing clothed...)

Edited to add--the show did a split screen tease promo with footage of Bucky performing on last year's Idol on one side, and Rocky--modeling an "I Love New York" t-shirt--on the other. Hostess Alison instantly recognized Rocky--wonder if she's a fan?

A little more about the show: the whole band made a cute "lost luggage fashion statement" this morning that looked great on camera, as it turned out. Bucky, Rocky, Don, Shaun and Hans were all clad in "I Love New York" t-shirts, hastily purchased after the bags didn't make it from Las Vegas. Bucky spoke of yet another touch of bad luck, courtesy of a bird who flew overhead and left a souvenir of sorts on his hand. (He and the hosts were all relieved it missed his shirt.)

There was a bit of "It's Good to Be Us" before a commercial break, and a live, slightly slower "Different World" during the next segment. Bucky sported a somewhat shorter new haircut, and was his usual funny and engaging self. (And yes, the show did use Buckymania! as a caption twice during the hour...that had nothing to do with this site, naturally, but the unintentional name check was a treat. Thanks, y'all!)

Another funny anecdote I forgot to add; thanks to Kathy at Team Covington for awakening my sleepy memory. Bucky was asked about keeping up with his fellow Idol veterans, and he replied that he was in touch with Kellie Pickler quite often, and that Kellie had jokingly told him that if she hears his single on the radio one more time, she was going to barf. He also told of his stop at Elliott Yamin's NYC album signing. Bucky took the CD to Elliott at the table--and asked for his money back. Fortunately, he added, Elliott has a good sense of humor!

Now that we've savored the performance and interview, here's a quick look at the charts: Bucky's "A Different World" is--yet again--#11 on both the Mediabase weighted and the Top 500 charts this morning. (Take a closer look at that weighted chart, y'all--talk about suspense!) Keep requesting Bucky at your favorite local and streaming country stations--and keep thinking of how sweet his first Top Ten is going to feel...

(And of course, drop by CMT's Top 20 Countdown and GAC's Top Twenty Country Countdown to give Bucky a boost on the video charts, as well.)

The tour bus heads back to Bucky's home state of North Carolina for tomorrow's Charlotte Knights post-game concert--with fireworks, great minor-league baseball and Bucky rockin' the house, this sounds like a fantastic way to spend a Saturday night. From the Charlotte Observer:

After the game, the ex-"American Idol" finalist will do a concert; the opening act will be Melissa McGee, another "Idol" alum. 7:15 p.m. Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. $7-$12 for the game and the show. 704-357-8071; www.charlotteknights.com.

Have fun and enjoy the show! You can keep up with the latest Covington comings and goings at the tour page on his official site. (If only the airlines would make a copy, so that they'd know where to send Bucky's luggage...)

More later--see you soon!--Winnie