Jordan in New York. The recording sessions featured prominent session musicians—including Pino Palladino on bass, Hugh McCracken on guitar, Ivan Neville on piano, and Jordan on Drums. All of them had previously collaborated with Jordan, primarily Palladino—who, like Jordan, is also a member of the musical ensemble John Mayer Trio. It is also one of the last recordings in which McCracken appeared before he died in 2013. "Why Don't You Try" is a R&B ballad, it was the first announced track for her fifth studio album, Stronger, which was ultimately released in October 2011. Brian Masfield of USA Today wrote that "Why Don't You Try" "lets Kelly unleash her inner Aretha." Clarkson performed "Why Don't You Try" during Muhammad Ali's "Celebrity Fight Night" charity event in Phoenix, Arizona on March 19, 2011. A live version of the song also appears on her second extended play, iTunes Session'', which was released in December 2011. Personnel Musicians Jason Aldean – lead vocals (14) Howard Benson – additional keyboards (13, 17), additional programming (13, 17) Felix Bloxsom – drums (5, 9) Kim Bullard – keyboards (13, 17), programming (13, 17) Paul Bushnell – bass (13, 17) Kelly Clarkson – all vocals (1-5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18), lead vocals (6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17), backing vocals (6, 8, 10, 11) Lauren Christy – backing vocals (8) Randy Cooke – drums (4) Chris DeStefano – instruments (11, 16), programming (11, 16), backing vocals (11), arrangements (11, 16) Kara DioGuardi – lead vocals (17) Craig Duncan – hammered dulcimer (7) Kevin Dukes – guitars (4) Chris Dye – programming (7) Aben Eubanks – guitars (7) Andre Frappier – guitars (1) Josh Freese – drums (12) Toby Gad – instruments (6, 10), programming (6, 10) Jason Halbert – keyboards (7) Dann Huff – guitar solo (13) Steve Jordan – drums (18), percussion (18) Brian Kennedy – keyboards (1), programming (1) Greg Kurstin – keyboards (2, 3, 4), programming (2, 3, 4), guitars (2, 3, 4), bass (2, 3, 4) Lee Levin – drums (8) The Love Sponge String Quartet – strings (7) David Angell – violin John Catchings – cello David Davidson – violin Kristin Wilkinson – viola Tony Lucido – bass (7) Deborah Lurie – string arrangements (17) Hugh McCracken – guitars (18) Jerry McPherson – guitars (7) Miles McPherson – drums (7) Ivan Neville – acoustic piano (18), synthesizers (18) John