EWs Whitney Pastorek recently pronouncedNashville Starbetter thanAmerican Idol.
Im a star in my own mind, youve seen em all.
Rich pulled out his guitar and suggested Jenkins change his tune.
He made the cut.
(After that first cut, eliminations will now be determined by viewers votes.)
Casting.This isNashville Stars most diverse group of contestants, on many levels.
and a performance/pep talk from Taylor Swift.
They performed the Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces, which was a solid but obvious choice.
I agree with Jewel that Courtney needs to embrace her role as frontwoman.
Not to go all Simon, but I found their performance forgettable.
His nerves made Rich nervous, but once he calms down, he should be fun to watch.
And Melora Hardin fromThe Officeseemed to enjoy him.
(I love that she got panned to twice during the night.
And both times they labeled her, as if to say,Look!
Shawn Mayer:A proud 21-year-old Redneck Woman from May City, Iowa (pop.
Shes country, yall!
If she takes Jewels advice and shows more vocal range, she could stick around for awhile.
The judges couldnt hide the WTF expressions on their faces, which were amusing.
Rich says they need a defining voice, and it should be Little Toni.
Jewels concerned about making the group relevant, and hes the most modern with that punk hair.
Plus, I really liked his Elvira baby falsetto run.
His licks are that smooth.
Anyone else feel like the judges fight over whether he was pitchy on Drift Away seemed a little staged?
Youre slightly pitchy yourself.
You no-singin son of a gun.
Youre gonna talk.
You have like [a] one-octave range, and youre gonna tee off on me?
Maybe its just a play-argument theyve had many times before, and thats why their retorts sounded canned.
But they were one of my favorite performances.
Their voices are there now comes the stage presence.
Thank you, God!
after Garcia broke out into George Straits All My Exs Live in Texas.
Im looking forward to seeing what he does next.
I thought for sure once she was in the final two, she was a goner.
Rich, however, just claimed Steele was deaf.
Gilbert does have a nice voice.
Well see if one of the judges can show her how to sell it.
- sounded like Jewels Mini-Me singing Colbie Caillats Bubbly?
She looked like it, too, when she crinkled her nose.
It was a bold move that, unfortunately, neither the judges nor I bought.
As Rich said, I like you a lot.
I would be surprised if he doesnt hear from some country producers today.
Justin Gaston:Good lord, this boy is the cutest thing on television right now.
I mean,seriously, Paula Abdul would faint if she saw him.
He could have a rabid David Cook-like following,ifhe had the pipes to back it up.
His voice wasnt bad, it just wouldnt be at all noteworthy if it wasnt coming out ofthatmouth.
Jewel said, When you look that good, youre gonna have to sing that much better.
I suppose thats true for a male country artist.
But I just think he has to sing well.
Maybe he was nervous.
I think hell benefit most from the mentoring.
But Lawson is definitely not that.
Her voice is powerful and so is her stage presence.
I found her a little over-the-top, but shes still my favorite of the solo women.
So, there you have it.
Who are your early favorites?
Who will be the next to go?
Who thinks this show is better thanAmerican Idol?
And who cant believe Billy Ray actually used the phrase far out?
