Watch Kree Harrison and Keith Urban Perform ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’
'American Idol' season 12 runner-up Kree Harrison made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry on June 4, and she was joined by 'Idol' judge Keith Urban. Now the Opry has posted video of the pair performing the Kris Kristofferson classic 'Help Me Make It Through the Night' online for the enjoyment of fans who didn't get to see it live.
Harrison originally performed the song during her run on 'Idol,' and she resurrected it in a set that kicked off with her debut single 'All Cried Out' and included the traditional hymn 'In the Garden,' which she introduced by saying, "I always told my dad, 'If I ever get to play the Opry, I'm going to do your favorite hymn.'" The 23-year-old singer lost her father in a plane crash when she was 12.
Urban was a very vocal supporter of Harrison's throughout her run on 'Idol,' praising her over and over for her connection to country's rich tradition of soul, blues and gospel. He joined her and the Opry band for a stellar rendition of the Kristofferson classic that was a perfect showcase for her powerful-yet-restrained interpretive skills, which bring to mind classic country singers like Patsy Cline in places. Urban contributed acoustic guitar and perfectly-blended vocal harmony layers underneath Harrison's pitch-perfect lead vocal.
Harrison will spend much of the summer on the American Idol Live! Tour, which kicks off July 19 in Kent, Wash. and runs through Aug. 31, when it wraps up in Nashville.