We posted earlier this week with a banjo sighting on Fox Television’s smash hit, American Idol. Now comes word from Phil Leadbetter, reso-man with Grasstowne, about the appearance of one of his signature Dobro guitars on the show.

The Leadbetter model Dobro was in the hands of Austin Clark, of The Clark Brothers, who won The Next Great American Band competition earlier this year. He was accompanying Kellie Pickler for her Idol performance on 3/19.

Uncle Phil was delighted with his virtual appearance on American Idol. 

We interrupt our Christmas programming for this final NGAB report comes from Casey Henry, a banjo player and writer living in Nashville, TN. She performed the past few years with her brother, Chris, in The Two Stringers, now disbanded.

The family with undeniable bluegrass roots took home the top place on Fox’s Next Great American Band. Their prize: a record deal with 19 Recordings, the label of the company that produced the show.

The finale of a light-hearted Christmas-themed show was the announcement of the top band. The last two standing were the Clarks and Sixwire. All three boys fell on the floor after their name was called. Ashley commented, "We just came from the house‚Ķplaying from the living room to the stage and we’re freaking out right now." Austin thanked their Mom and Dad, though you really couldn’t hear it over the roar of the crowd. Dicko said, "Week after week you brought the magic." Sheila said, "I prayed for this moment," and John quipped " I knew it all along." He continued in a more serious vein, "Your passion for what you do is so real. That kind of sincerity can’t be faked."

We also got to see Cliff Wagner back, in all his glory, singing…wait for it…Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.

I’m so happy and excited for the Clarks. It just goes to show, you never can tell where someone is going to end up in life. When you’re playing Harry Grant’s Windgap festival with a family with eleven kids who sing gospel, pay attention, because they might be the next big reality show winners. Even though the music they play now is not bluegrass per se, they come from bluegrass, and anything that helps to raise the profile of bluegrass is good in my book.

And there was a brief shot of a sign someone held up in the audience that read, “We need more mandolin baby!”

Amen!

Tonight (12/21) is the final show in Fox’s Next Great American Band competition, and as we have been chronicling this past few weeks, The Clark Brothers are in the running for the big prize. While not strictly a bluegrass act, they have performed throughout on mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar and resophonic guitar, and the three brothers have a long history in bluegrass and old time music.

If the panel of judges is an accurate barometer of the voting public, they have an excellent chance to take it all, and receive a major label recording contract. A previous attempt for the guys as a more mainstreamed country act was a disaster, but they have refined their show and their sound, and could hit as a hunky reprise of the Dixie Chicks phenomenon if produced and promoted effectively.

And they would have loads more bluegrass parking lot cred…

Bands that were eliminated in previous episodes will be back for the final show, including bluegrass band Cliff Wagner and the Old #7. Our official NGAB correspondent, Casey Henry, passed along this tidbit:

Cliff Wagner’s wife Robin says, “He’s all dressed up like Bing and gets lots of camera time!” Might there be a little “White Christmas” action going on? I guess we’ll have to tune in and see!

The show airs at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on Fox, and the winner will be chosen by a phone vote, a la American Idol. The ratings for Next Great American Band have been disappointing, especially for a show in the Idol mold, but we hope that Clark Brothers fans – and anyone who would like to see a solid, acoustic/bluegrass band win the prize – will jam the phone lines tonight.

If you find yourself at home, or near a TV this evening, perhaps you could find a moment to cast a vote for these fine young musicians?

This report comes from Casey Henry, a banjo player and writer living in Nashville, TN. She performed the past few years with her brother, Chris, in The Two Stringers, now disbanded.

The Clark Brothers will definitely be either first, second, or third place on Next Great American Band. On Friday night’s episode the three remaining groups‚ÄîThe Clarks, Sixwire, and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (interestingly, all from Nashville)‚Äîeach did three songs. It was the final competition show.

Next week they’ll announce the winner, who will receive a recording contract. Surely the runners-up will get something, in addition to the amazing publicity the show has afforded them.

The Clarks performed Change the World, by Eric Clapton, which was the judges choice. John Rzeznik called it, "a unique interpretation" that "added depth to the original lyrics." Dicko said "you breathe so much fire I thought you were going to set the sprinklers off." Their next song was Amazed, by Lonestar, which was the show’s choice. The stripped down version had Ashley sitting on a stool just singing, no instrument. It showed they have a firm grip on mainstream country and caused John to comment, "I think every woman in America wants you right now. I feel like a giddy little girl." Ashley looked a bit bashful at that, but if they win this contest he’s going to need to get used to it.

Their final selection, which they got to choose, was the This Little Light of Mine/Faith, Faith, Faith medley that they played on the first show. Their frantic, fiery version brought down the house. Dicko, who has been commuting back and forth from Australia during the competition, said that "one thing makes it alright every week ‚Äì when you take the stage." John proclaimed, "I don’t think anyone deserves to win this contest more than you."

Let’s hope America agrees. The votes are cast and it’s all over by now, we just have to wait until Friday to find out who is the Next Great American Band.