On the popular “American Idol” Internet discussion board MJ’s Big Blog, fans justified the critical radio programmer comments about eventual winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina in the May 17 Stark Country by attributing them to a bit of a “fatigue factor” at country radio when it comes to “Idol” contestants, but it’s worth noting that more finalists have been successful at the format than not.

Winner Carrie Underwood, of course, has gone from the “Idol” stage to country superstar status, although even she had to fight a bit for her place in the very beginning of her career. Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, and Danny Gokey have all done reasonably well in the format, and all but Covington still have label deals, although even his tour schedule is packed with dates. Pickler had a top 10 single in 2009. Gracin has had a No. 1 hit and three other top 10s. Covington had two top 10 hits. Gokey’s album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart last year, and he’s opening dates on Taylor Swift’s tour this summer.

Likeable season nine finalist Casey James is on deck, but has yet to be introduced to radio other than a one-song showcase on the Sony Music Nashville boat during Country Radio Seminar this year.

Only season six’s Phil Stacey and season seven’s Kristy Lee Cook came and went quickly in the format, despite landing record deals on established labels after the show. Stacey has since switched to a Christian music career and label.

Season nine country contestant Aaron Kelly has not yet landed a record deal. Season eight’s Michael Sarver was signed to indie label Dream Records, but failed to launch at country radio with his single, “Ferris Wheel.” That song is now a new single for Warner Music Nashville artist Jason Jones. Alaina’s first single for Mercury Records, “Like My Mother Does,” also has a history, having previously been a single for artist Jesse Lee in 2010 and an album cut for Kristy Lee Cook in 2008.

In recent years, meanwhile, even singers who never expressed a preference for country on the show have now given it a try. Onetime rocker Bo Bice from season four has been targeting the country format with his singles since last year. Season five winner Taylor Hicks tried to work a single (“Seven Mile Breakdown”) to country in 2009 without success. And season one winner Kelly Clarkson dueted with close pal Reba McEntire on a country re-make of Clarkson’s hit “Because Of You.” That song was a country hit too, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard country singles chart in 2007.

This week, McCreery’s debut single, “I Love You This Big,” debuts at No. 46 on the Mediabase chart. Both McCreery and Alaina also had healthy add weeks, too. Nielsen BDSradio is reporting McCreery has the second most added single this week, and landed a total of 36 adds (including 16 Indicator stations). Alaina, meanwhile, got 13 first week adds, including seven Indicators.