Live Blog: Nashville Star, Season Six, Episode Two
I have good news and bad news about the second episode of Nashville Star. The good news is that this episode is of the one and one-half hour variety, and because the contestants have to perform, this limits the amount of time that NBC can spend fomenting the “drama” surrounding each contestant’s sob story. The bad news is that the contestants have to perform, and it’s the same bunch of contestants (minus Charley Jenkins) that performed last week.
Nevertheless, I am looking forward to three of this week’s performances: Laura & Sophie (will they dig up another country classic?), Third Town (how will John Rich’s suggestion that they choose a lead singer change their sound?) and Gabe Garcia (where will he go after last week’s strong honky-tonk performance?). Melissa Lawson and Alyson Gilbert (if she gets to perform; I have her tagged for elimination) could win me over with strong performances this week.
If you missed last week’s premiere, head over to the episode one live blog to catch up and be sure to join us here at The 9513 at 8 p.m. central as we live blog episode two.
11:51 - Matt C:
Wrap-up: The performances were much better on episode two than they were during the season premiere, but the overall talent of this year’s Nashville Star cast remains the worst in show history. I really enjoyed watching Laura & Sophie improve on their week one performance, two artists tackle country classics (”Ring of Fire” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today”), even if their performances were disappointing, and Gabe Garcia show enough versatility to transition from honky-tonk to classic rock.
However, there’s a disturbing disconnect developing between country performers and contestants who apparently have no intention of ever touching the genre, and during our live blog, several readers, including Nashville Star “reject” Michael Dean Church, offered compelling evidence that NBC manipulated the audition process to exclude talented artists and include members of certain demographics regardless of their talent or musical persuasion. Is it any wonder that the NBC version of Nashville Star has been a terrible disappointment?
Best performance: Laura & Sophie, “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain.” I really dug the duo’s excellent harmony and confident performance. Last week, they tackled “Stand By Your Man” and sounded hesitant and immature; this week, they choose something a little more frivolous and looked and sounded great. Don’t listen to John Rich, girls: keep singing those great country songs.
Worst performance: Justin Gaston, “Delilah.” “Underwear Boy” doesn’t deserve to be on this show, and Rich wasn’t afraid to tell him as much after a horrendous performance. The guy has no stage presence, can’t hold pitch to save his life, and has never heard a country song: really, why is he on this program?
Should be Eliminated: Justin Gaston. For all of the reasons in the world.
Will be Eliminated: Don’t fool yourself: every single female viewer has a crush on Justin Gaston. Frankly, I was surprised to see Melissa Lawson in the bottom two this week and believe that her episode two performance was strong enough to save her from elimination. Thus, I suspect that Pearl Heart will be eliminated, because they’ve given two bland performances and most of the teenyboppers who want to live vicariously through a Nashville Star contestant will vote for Laura & Sophie instead.
10:28 - Matt C: Thanks to Brady for the fantastic photos that you’ve been seeing in the live blogs, and thanks to all our readers for stopping by for the second episode. I’ll post a wrap-up shortly; I need to take a shower first…
10:26 - Matt C: Third Town is eliminated to the tune of “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Really, I think that the producers have too high an opinion of their show.
10:25 - Matt C: Third Town is going home.
10:25 - Matt C: Brady’s right: With all the rigging, I’m sure they’re going to have it parallel the presidential election: a black guy, the navy boy, and a woman.
10:22 - Matt C: So here’s the question that no one has asked yet: if the auditions were rigged, what are the chances that the results are not? Not a chance in hell.
10:21 - Matt C: Kelly: well, it looks like an episode of “Branson Star” has broken out and one of the bus-boys is singing lead….
10:20 - Matt C: Steele has a vested interest in being dishonest here, since he changed their song, but Jewel and John Rich are brutallly honest (and right).
10:19 - Matt C: This is not a good performance. They’re looking more like the County Fair act that Steele complained about in the first week.
10:18 - Matt C: Jeffrey Steele finally gives some good advise and dissuades Third Town from covering Queen.
10:16 - Matt C: I really hope that Melissa Lawson goes home. Actually, I really wish that underwear boy would go home, but that’s not an option this week. Still, Lawson has performed two non-country songs in a row and her voice is too thin to handle all of these big numbers. Plus, she’s fat, which must just kill the producers of this show.
10:13 - Matt C: Apparently, they’re going to let each of the bottom two perform and aren’t going to tell us who’s been eliminated until after the performances.
10:12 - Matt C: Our readers are discussing past Nashville Star winners. It’s been a mixed bag, with more no-talents than legitimate artists, but the sad thing is, I don’t think that any of the current contestants are even near good enough to produce this.
10:09 - Matt C: Brady: Now that’s a concept that will make your heart stop: a Nashville Star choir.
10:08 - Matt C: Leave it to the contestants to ruin the one good performance of the night.
10:06 - Matt C: Trace Adkins sings the last and only country song.
10:01 - Matt C: Emo wanna-bees Third Town and Melissa Lawson are in the bottom two. Shame, as they were far from the two worst performers last week.
10:00 - Matt C: I just don’t know what to say anymore. John frickin’ Mayer.
9:57 - Matt C: So, how long will it take before we discover the “urgent casting call” for a black guy that got Coffey his spot?
9:56 - Matt C: Michael Dean Church: now it seems like the new model for getting signed is you either have to have been on a reality show, or you have to be 21 female and blonde with big boobs
Rick: Michael, Taylor Swift disproves your “big boobs” theory….
9:54 - Matt C: Kelly: nothing is sacred anymore…he stopped loving her today, but i have stopped breathing now…
9:53 - Matt C: Time constraints aside, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” just isn’t a good choice for this kind of competition. Jeffrey Steele is wrong: this is not one of the greatest lyrics in country music, it’s one of the greatest vocal performances, and really, I’ve never heard anyone, legends included, who can sing this song and even touch George Jones. Shawn’s performance was brave, but foolish.
9:50 - Matt C: Ok, this is the problem with 90 second performances of country songs. The whole point of this song is that reveal: he stopped loving her because he died. The abbreviated version just doesn’t make sense.
9:49 - Matt C: Forget “Ring of Fire,” Shawn Mayer is tackling the truly sacred.
9:49 - Matt C: I have to call Gabe Garcia the early front-runner.
9:46 - Matt C: Gabe Garcia impresses me by going from honky-tonk to classic rock. I’d have preferred that he stay within the genre, but I think it’s safe to say that this guy is talented.
9:42 - Matt C: Michael Dean Church (”Why Can’t You Forgive Me?”) offers a fascinating personal story about the rigged Nashville Star auditions: “I have an interesting tidbit for you, I was called in last minute to audition because the producers and the NBC executives were freaking out that the cast was so weak, so they snuck us in and secluded us First I went in front of the heads of NBC and warner brothers and then went in front of JEWEL John and JEFFREY, there were 6 of us that were called in last minute and they kept two of us. Then the Head Casting guy Doron Ofir came in and basically said that they were going to sneak us in to the top 12, so he sent me and the other guy home and told me that someone from the show would be calling us the next day for us to come back in and shoot photos and tape back stories but then we never heard another word. I am assuming since I am 31 I evidently must have been to old for the demographic they were going for this year. very sad but I am so glad now after seeing how this has been done this year that I wasnt one of the ones cursed to have been on this train wreck.”
I think that this calls for some The 9513 investigative reporting.
9:40 - Matt C: Surprise surprise, John Rich is a lech.
9:40 - Matt C: Tommy’s performance of “Save a Horse” was much better than last week’s performance, that song is quite amenable to mindless shouting. Tommy will be back to his sucking ways next week.
9:38 - Matt C: I swear, Tommy Stanley has the most frenetically awful stage moves ever.
9:37 - Matt C: From Underwear Boy to Sailorboy, Tommy Stanley is next.
9:35 - Matt C: John Rich is justifiably angry about the UWB thing. He sucks and he shouldn’t be there. He’s not a country singer and has no desire to do anything other than land a Playgirl spread. End of story.
9:32 - Matt C: No, of course Nashville Star isn’t scripted. Several readers have managed to explain the existence of “Underwear Boy:” URGENT CASTING NOTICE! NBC, 495 Productions, and Doron Ofir Casting are searching for a male country singer between the ages of 16 and 23 years old with teen heart-throb good looks. Think a country music Zac Ephron or young Brad Pitt. This is for immediate inclusion in “Nashville Star” on NBC. Talent will be flown to Nashville this week and be included in the cast. Must be unsigned, but management will maintain full management rights. Please respond to this email with any potential talent or call my cell to pitch. This has an extremely short turn around time. Will cast by no later than Wednesday, April 16th. Sincerely, Ryan Hayden Doron Ofir Casting
9:30 - Matt C: Pearl Heart also doesn’t have a soloist. As I predicted, it’s a recurring problem with groups on this show.
9:29 - Matt C: Well, I guess that if the girls get their eye candy in UWB, I can at least hope that I get to ogle Alyson for another couple of weeks.
9:28 - Matt C: As much as I hate the song choice, this is a much better vocal performance than last week.
9:27 - Matt C: Wow, I thought Alyson Gilbert would be eliminated, and now I wish that she would have been. Really, how to you go from “Suds in the Bucket” to this dreck?
9:24 - Matt C: We’re two for three on country songs, which makes me happy. Underwear Boy is a lost cause; is it too early to call him the Sanjaya of Nashville Star?
9:22 - Matt C: Does this show now have a co-host? Who’s the blond who talks before all of the commercials?
9:21 - Matt C: Twenty minutes in and we’ve already had two shameless plugs of Jewel’s album.
9:18 - Matt C: This guy needs to leave, now. A horrendous performance of some pop song that I’ve never heard before.
9:17 - Matt C: Even the devoted fans over at the Nashville Star message board have taken to calling Justin Gaston “underwear boy.”
9:16 - Matt C: Gee, you think that John Rich produced the new Jewel album?
9:14 - Matt C: However, that wasn’t the right song for Ashlee’s voice. She had some major pitch problems.
9:13 - Matt C: Yeah, Man in Black is much better than Colbie Caillat.
9:12 - Matt C: Does anyone else think that Ashlee Hewitt looks like Emily West?
9:07 - Matt C:Laura & Sophie gave a really great performance, but I’ve still yet to hear one of them go solo. They need to establish that sound during next week’s performance.
9:07 - Matt C: John Rich gives exactly the wrong advice by telling the girls to choose more Taylor Swift song themes.
9:05 - Matt C: This week they’re performing The Judds’ “Rockin’ WIth THe Rhythm of the Rain,” and it’s much better than last week. This performance sounds more mature, and they have a really nice counter-harmony thing going on.
9:04 - Matt C: Laura & Sophie are performing first, and I’m hoping for another classic song.
9:03 - Matt C: The “judge as mentor” thing is kind of a neat touch, but I think it exacerbates the “cheerleading” the plagued last week’s episode.
9:00 - Matt C: Ok, this week we’re really live. Last week’s premiere was pre-recorded.
8:54 - Matt C: We’re only a few minutes away from what I hope will be a greatly improved episode of Nashville Star. Stick around, the live blog begins shortly.
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205 Comments
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June 16, 2008 at 3:15 pm Permalink
the key issue will be whether Jeffrey Steele’s t-shirt selection for this week is more hideous than last weeks shirt, that shirt was the answer to his question, “what hurts the most?”….sorry, i am sure the jokes will be much better as the show gets worse tonight…
June 16, 2008 at 3:34 pm Permalink
Oh how it kills me to have to miss this again!
June 16, 2008 at 3:41 pm Permalink
Looks like we’ll get to see Jewel’s maginficent chest again. I do try to find the positive in all things.
June 16, 2008 at 4:04 pm Permalink
I don’t know if the jokes will get better, Kelly, you landed a pretty good one there. An astute observation, too.
June 16, 2008 at 7:02 pm Permalink
So is Trace Adkins performing the same song he’s already done on TV twice?
June 16, 2008 at 7:03 pm Permalink
Heh, the guys didn’t look like they had any problem giving Jewel a hug.
June 16, 2008 at 7:04 pm Permalink
Geez, I didn’t know it was all about which one of the judges won!! What craziness!
June 16, 2008 at 7:04 pm Permalink
I think the judges did mentoring on Can You Duet as well.
June 16, 2008 at 7:06 pm Permalink
Um yuck! This sounds so karaoke :(
June 16, 2008 at 7:06 pm Permalink
Jeffrey Steele looked like a proud parent up there, but this is a pretty tame performance.
June 16, 2008 at 7:07 pm Permalink
No, no, no, no, John Rich needs to shut the hell up.
June 16, 2008 at 7:07 pm Permalink
I don’t like Jewel’s straight hair look.
June 16, 2008 at 7:08 pm Permalink
So last week’s loser goes at the end of the show? I thought it was the beginning for some reason.
June 16, 2008 at 7:09 pm Permalink
Jewel still looks damn good to me, though I wish she’d straighten her teeth rather than her hair.
June 16, 2008 at 7:10 pm Permalink
Yes, the loser does not perform and goes home at the end of the show.
June 16, 2008 at 7:10 pm Permalink
Lol Matt :)
June 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm Permalink
Matt, I don’t think they look very similar at all. Maybe the eyes or something.
June 16, 2008 at 7:15 pm Permalink
can we not have some songs that are “untouchable”? whats next, one of the contestants will sing “cold cold heart’ with a synth beat behind it?
June 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm Permalink
Does John get money as the producer for how many albums Jewel sells? Sure sounded like it!
June 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm Permalink
Billy Ray seems to be doing his Matthew McCounaghey “dazed adn confused” impersonation when he banters with the singers…uh oh, its the “model”….everyone, quick bathroom break…
June 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm Permalink
Are they going in any particular order?
June 16, 2008 at 7:18 pm Permalink
Ok, if this guy is going to be on N Star he should be required to at least sing one country song!! Ugh!
June 16, 2008 at 7:19 pm Permalink
No, it’s a random order.
June 16, 2008 at 7:20 pm Permalink
oh my god this is awful…
June 16, 2008 at 7:20 pm Permalink
Is “sweet” a euphemism?
June 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm Permalink
Gawd, can we promote Jewel’s album some more? I didn’t quite get the message yet!
June 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm Permalink
John saying “I think you shouldn’t be on the show” is the most honest thing he’s ever said. I’m already tired of the Jewel advertisements.
June 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm Permalink
yep, sorry, i am out, but, I finally agree with something john rich said since i also think that underwear boy should be out…
June 16, 2008 at 7:21 pm Permalink
I think John Rich almost made him cry.
June 16, 2008 at 7:22 pm Permalink
well, the kid made me cry…no one makes me cry my own tears….
June 16, 2008 at 7:22 pm Permalink
Kelly, I actually agreed with him as well. ‘Bout time.
June 16, 2008 at 7:25 pm Permalink
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I recall reading Bev Keel’s column in the Tennessean (only about 3-4 months ago, long after the tryouts) saying:
“Nashville star is looking for a young (18-23) male for immediate inclusion on the show.”
I’ll dig back in the archives to see if I can find it.
Perhaps this is what John Rich was referring to when he said underwear boy “snuck in the back door”.
June 16, 2008 at 7:25 pm Permalink
I wasn’t paying attention, but Katie Cook introduced the show, so it could be her.
June 16, 2008 at 7:26 pm Permalink
Pierce, that’s interesting. Let us know if you find anything.
June 16, 2008 at 7:26 pm Permalink
they just showed ryan seacrest’s mom and dad…is that the lamest “celeb spotlight” on any show ever in history?? Was Paula Abdul’s pharmacist not available to attend?
June 16, 2008 at 7:27 pm Permalink
what the hell??? the police?
June 16, 2008 at 7:27 pm Permalink
was “back door” a reference to underwear??
June 16, 2008 at 7:27 pm Permalink
The lack of country songs on NASHVILLE star is seriously starting to tick me off!!
June 16, 2008 at 7:28 pm Permalink
Pierce I don’t know where I read that but definitey read that. Hold on…
June 16, 2008 at 7:28 pm Permalink
Kelly, coupled with the “sweet” euphemism, I think they’re trying to tell us something.
June 16, 2008 at 7:28 pm Permalink
“when in doubt do what reba does”…yeah, thats easy enough, do that….
June 16, 2008 at 7:29 pm Permalink
well, they need to stop singing songs that aren’t country songs. I’m pretty liberal about song choice on a show but c’mon Plain White T’s “Delilah” and then the Police? ug….
As for the judges the UK show “X Factor” does the same thing (mentoring, competition) and it’s something I thought American Idol should’ve done for ages now.
June 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm Permalink
Here is what someone posted at mcgraws.com:
URGENT CASTING NOTICE!
NBC, 495 Productions, and Doron Ofir Casting are searching for a male country singer between the ages of 16 and 23 years old with teen heart-throb good looks. Think a country music Zac Ephron or young Brad Pitt.
This is for immediate inclusion in “Nashville Star” on NBC. Talent will be flown to Nashville this week and be included in the cast.
Must be unsigned, but management will maintain full management rights.
Please respond to this email with any potential talent or call my cell to pitch. This has an extremely short turn around time.
Will cast by no later than Wednesday, April 16th.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hayden
Doron Ofir Casting
June 16, 2008 at 7:31 pm Permalink
I found it guys. Used my Belmont University Newsbank subscription!
Bev Keel’s Column on April 14th, 2008:
This is interesting: I was forwarded an e-mail from a casting agency that’s holding an urgent casting call for an unsigned male country singer between 16 and 23 with teen heartthrob good looks. “Think a country music Zac Ephron or young Brad Pitt.”
This explains underwear boy. Get him off the show.
June 16, 2008 at 7:32 pm Permalink
oops, there’s another paragraph I forgot:
This is interesting: I was forwarded an e-mail from a casting agency that’s holding an urgent casting call for an unsigned male country singer between 16 and 23 with teen heartthrob good looks. “Think a country music Zac Ephron or young Brad Pitt.”
The e-mail says it’s for immediate inclusion in the cast of NBC’s Nashville Star . Didn’t they find enough talent in their national search that attracted more than 25,000? Is it fair to bring in a “ringer”? Is there a young Brad Pitt in this town? If so, is he available for lunch?
June 16, 2008 at 7:32 pm Permalink
The “underwear boy” is obviously the ‘plant’ meaning the Judges want him there and he’ll stay because girls who vote will continue to gush over him.
June 16, 2008 at 7:32 pm Permalink
Is John Rich Taylor Swift’s Dad? Geez!
June 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm Permalink
So John Rich expects amateurs to already be as good as a professional?
June 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm Permalink
that was my problem then. i am a 30-something, balding, pasty redhead with beer gut “zach efron”….i was too old, i guess…
PEARL HEART SUX…
June 16, 2008 at 7:34 pm Permalink
I should say ‘producers’ not ‘judges’ want Gaston to stay.
June 16, 2008 at 7:35 pm Permalink
They have great harmonies, but they could put me to sleep. There’s no energy in their singing.
June 16, 2008 at 7:35 pm Permalink
Matt B., it seems like the producers are definitely playing the part of the invisible hand.
June 16, 2008 at 7:37 pm Permalink
Brady,
Yep. That will make ‘vote for the worst’ type complaints about ‘vote fixing.’ I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t win the whole damn thing. We all know Coffey and the Hispanic dude aren’t likely to win.
June 16, 2008 at 7:38 pm Permalink
ah, trying to suck up to a judge…
June 16, 2008 at 7:39 pm Permalink
The sound is not terrible but he does not look the part to pull off this song. Lol.
June 16, 2008 at 7:39 pm Permalink
I want to see John Rich ask him if he thinks his rendition stacks up to the original.
June 16, 2008 at 7:39 pm Permalink
what’s it say about B&R that this guy sings better them then?
June 16, 2008 at 7:39 pm Permalink
KILL ME NOW!! Some kareoke bar has lost its track to “save a horse”, and the drunk that normally sings it…
June 16, 2008 at 7:40 pm Permalink
I have an interesting tidbit for you, I was called in last minute to audition because the producers and the NBC executives were freaking out that the cast was so weak, so they snuck us in and secluded us First I went in front of the heads of NBC and warner brothers and then went in front of JEWEL John and JEFFREY, there were 6 of us that were called in last minute and they kept two of us. Then the Head Casting guy Doron Ofir came in and basically said that they were going to sneak us in to the top 12, so he sent me and the other guy home and told me that someone from the show would be calling us the next day for us to come back in and shoot photos and tape back stories but then we never heard another word. I am assuming since I am 31 I evidently must have been to old for the demographic they were going for this year. very sad but I am so glad now after seeing how this has been done this year that I wasnt one of the ones cursed to have been on this train wreck.
June 16, 2008 at 7:40 pm Permalink
Matt C, I guess you don’t remember Taylor Hicks from AI. His moves were awful.
June 16, 2008 at 7:41 pm Permalink
Thank God for American Idol, at least we got Carrie out of it, this show is a freakin dud. I guess this is just an indicator of where the hell Country is going, I mean come on if Taylor Swift is the hottest thing out there than Country is in some big ass trouble.
June 16, 2008 at 7:41 pm Permalink
Interesting but not surprising Michael.
June 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm Permalink
My ears are bleeding, this is by far the worst season of NS, it just gets worse as the moments go on.
June 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm Permalink
Do you think Trace will sing a country song or will he do a cover of Maroon 5?
June 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm Permalink
Boxer, PLEASE don’t turn this into a Taylor vs. Carrie rant. I don’t even run this site and I find that stuff tiresome.
June 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm Permalink
Why is this jack ass bringing Taylor Swift up every two seconds
June 16, 2008 at 7:43 pm Permalink
Ha, Kim!
June 16, 2008 at 7:43 pm Permalink
Now that deserves some coverage, Michael. Wow!
June 16, 2008 at 7:43 pm Permalink
I suspect that this will absolutely have to be the last season of this CRAP!!! its terrible that they chose a casting company and producer who produces that show tila tequila WTF couldnt they find someone that at least has cast a singing competition before.
June 16, 2008 at 7:46 pm Permalink
Matt B.
I would have also mentioned Bucky, Kellie and Josh but they didn’t win so I just mentioned Carrie. Just comparing the two shows. Not trying to start a fan war in any way. Sorry
June 16, 2008 at 7:46 pm Permalink
I checked out Gabe’s MySpace and he sounds good, but rather one dimensional.
June 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm Permalink
O.K.,
Here’s a thought. No country publishers gave clearance for their songs to be on this show because of the train wreck possibility.
June 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm Permalink
I like this song, but I think this version is boring.
June 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm Permalink
Crap, the only real country singer sold out. :(
June 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm Permalink
Isn’t John Rich the one who chose Julio Eglesias or however you spell it to win that country show on CMT? This guy wouldn’t know whats good if it slapped him.
June 16, 2008 at 7:48 pm Permalink
Matt B, maybe that explains the song choices!!
June 16, 2008 at 7:48 pm Permalink
Boxer,
I’m just weary because of all that crap that happens here all the time.
June 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm Permalink
Matt B, we can only hope that’s the reason.
June 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm Permalink
Ok this guy sucks, how did he get through, he looks goofy up there
June 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm Permalink
Prediction: Coffey and the big boned girl are the bottom two.
June 16, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
At least she has the guts to sing a freakin country song!
June 16, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
Matt B.
No problem
June 16, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
and she’s trying to be Dolly…
June 16, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
When Nashville Star moved to NBC they fired the former producers and brought in reality show producers who didn’t think country music could play on a national scale.
June 16, 2008 at 7:51 pm Permalink
I don’t much like it when the melodies I know are changed.
June 16, 2008 at 7:51 pm Permalink
Gus, that makes sense when added to the song choices.
June 16, 2008 at 7:51 pm Permalink
nothing is sacred anymore…he stopped loving her today, but i have stopped breathing now…
June 16, 2008 at 7:52 pm Permalink
Katie Cook sold out
June 16, 2008 at 7:52 pm Permalink
and THAT’s why Jeffrey Steele is a judge.
June 16, 2008 at 7:52 pm Permalink
Heh, when George Jones sang it, it was several moments in time.
June 16, 2008 at 7:53 pm Permalink
They aren’t even singing Country songs, I’m perplexed
June 16, 2008 at 7:54 pm Permalink
I want this back on USA network NOW! What a shame to destroy a show I used to truly enjoy. Sad, sad, sad.
June 16, 2008 at 7:54 pm Permalink
it is so frustrating to people like me that are in this town and are almost within reach of a record deal and now it seems like the new model for getting signed is you either have to have been on a reality show, or you have to be 21 female and blonde with big boobs, its just sad to me that to get signed you have to sound and look like someone else.
June 16, 2008 at 7:55 pm Permalink
Matt, why again is Jeffrey a judge?
June 16, 2008 at 7:56 pm Permalink
Michael, Taylor Swift disproves your “big boobs” theory….
June 16, 2008 at 7:56 pm Permalink
oh yeah I guess I should have said big boobs or a sub par voice!!! LOL
June 16, 2008 at 7:57 pm Permalink
lol
June 16, 2008 at 7:58 pm Permalink
Well, there goes that prediction.
June 16, 2008 at 7:58 pm Permalink
Leeann, Aimee Mayo was tied up with “Can You Duet” so NS went for Jeff Steele instead……
June 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm Permalink
Jeffrey Steele just called out that chick for tackling a classic and changing it. Now Coffey is singing John Mayer? WTF?
June 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm Permalink
Some reality show people have proven to be quite talented.
June 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm Permalink
Michael, sorry. I hope you get your record deal someday. There are so many talented people out there. I feel for you. I don’t know how you can watch this show.
June 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm Permalink
At least they haven’t locked all the remaining contestants inside a house………..yet! (lol)
June 16, 2008 at 8:01 pm Permalink
John, maybe he should freaking sing a country song then he wouldn’t have to worry about how to pronounce world!
June 16, 2008 at 8:01 pm Permalink
Heart stopping? Really?
June 16, 2008 at 8:01 pm Permalink
Lol Rick, I think they should lock them in a room and have them listen to nothing but country music for 24 hours a day :)
June 16, 2008 at 8:02 pm Permalink
I am not doubting that at all boxer, carrie Underwood sings her but off, and could have gotten a deal without american idol, Kellie pickler I think is a very interesting talent, but all I am saying is that just because you have been on a reality show is not a reason to give someone a record deal, especially if they dont eat sleep and breathe country music, I guess what i am trying to say is if this new breed of talent that has been coming out of nashville lately is going to carry the country torch then I think we might be screwed!!!
June 16, 2008 at 8:02 pm Permalink
Aaron Watson covered John Mayer. I don’t remember how good the song was, but the arrangement was undeniably country.
June 16, 2008 at 8:02 pm Permalink
I miss the days when you had to earn the one-name moniker. Coffey…or Coff-ay, is more vanilla than Mayer is (voice-wise)…
June 16, 2008 at 8:03 pm Permalink
Well, Coffey’s arrangement was undeniably not country.
June 16, 2008 at 8:04 pm Permalink
The vocal wasn’t country, either. Neither of his performances have even hinted at country.
June 16, 2008 at 8:04 pm Permalink
Thanks Kim, the reason I watch this is to laugh and I take pleasure in knowing that no matter who wins this crappy show they will wind up being like alot of the other contestants, they will win, go on the NS Tour, record there album the label will put it out with no promotion and within a year they will be right back where they started. its just sad because this could have been so positive for the GENRE but instead they have made it out to be a JOKE!!!
June 16, 2008 at 8:05 pm Permalink
Brady, I don’t mind covering pop/rock for an album if it’s arranged right. I’m just surprised the guy with an uphill climb to the top would choose that song.
June 16, 2008 at 8:06 pm Permalink
That sure is the truth Michael. Except for Miranda who didn’t win and maybe Chris Young (too soon to tell) nothing ever comes of the winners anyway.
June 16, 2008 at 8:06 pm Permalink
Trace, I think you are on the wrong show. You sound good and you are singing country music! What a concept!
June 16, 2008 at 8:06 pm Permalink
So Michael is it the label’s fault for going to bed with NS or the nework’s fault for meddling too much. I think it’s both.
June 16, 2008 at 8:07 pm Permalink
MDC,
I hear ya, Country music right now is in a very unstable state, it seems that the industry is now willing to sell its soul for an audience. Taylor Swift is a prime example of this, Also would Billy Ray be hosting this if his Daughter wasn’t Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana? me thinks not.
June 16, 2008 at 8:08 pm Permalink
With the exception of Erika Jo in the 3rd year I have found all of the winners to be talented artists who just never got a real chance at radio for one reason or another.
June 16, 2008 at 8:08 pm Permalink
Hey Kim, don’t forget Buddy Jewell who’s currently out on the Honky Tonk Tailgate Tour with Mark Wills, Trent Willmon, and Ray Scott! Buddy’s career star may have faded, but he’s not giving up!
June 16, 2008 at 8:08 pm Permalink
Now that’s a concept that will make your heart stop: a Nashville Star choir.
June 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm Permalink
well I think Warner brothers is in such a need of a hit that they would sell there soul to the devil to have a big selling record, so I think its purely the fault of the network and the producers, so I am sure now that John Rich is a little nervous the he is going to have to put his name on who ever winds up winning this thing because up until now he has had a pretty good track record.
June 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm Permalink
I wonder how many weeks we have left before the special musical guests are not from country music.
June 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm Permalink
Rick,
Erika Jo hasn’t given up either.
June 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm Permalink
Gus, do you really consider Brad Cotter a real talent? Hmmmmm…….
June 16, 2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
Yeah, pretty soon Hannah Montana will perform and things will go completely to hell from that point forward.
June 16, 2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
Trace Adkins was on the Apprentice so I am sure he counts as mainstream.
June 16, 2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
that choir was as bad as the one on The movie Sister ACT before they had a tune up!!! lol
June 16, 2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
Among the winners, I really only consider Buddy Jewell and Chris Young to be real talents.
June 16, 2008 at 8:11 pm Permalink
Sorry, I am not knocking any of the NS winners in the past. I’ve liked a lot of them. They just don’t seem to get any help at all from radio. I didn’t know Buddy Jewel was on that tour. At least he could sing even if he was never one of my favorites.
June 16, 2008 at 8:11 pm Permalink
Michael, John Rich didn’t do so well for Shannon Brown, but she did score a cool husband from the “Corn Fed” video shoot! Go Shannon! (lol)
June 16, 2008 at 8:11 pm Permalink
He was talented at throwing back drinks on his radio tour. I wouldn’t say Brad Cotter was my cup of tea but he’d be a breath of fresh air on this season’s collection of ass clowns.
June 16, 2008 at 8:11 pm Permalink
The only ones that I think have any talent that have won are Buddy, Chris, and to be honest with you I cant really even remember who won the other seasons, just goes to show you how forgettable they were
June 16, 2008 at 8:12 pm Permalink
MCD,
Aside from the fact he picked Julio for a record. lol
John Rich in my opinion is a hypocrite of the grandest scale
June 16, 2008 at 8:14 pm Permalink
Billy Ray really sucks as a host!! She is probably going home since she is not blonde and skiny.
June 16, 2008 at 8:14 pm Permalink
IMO Miranda Lambert is the best contestant thus far and has been grossly overlooked by Radio
June 16, 2008 at 8:14 pm Permalink
I switched over to The Mole…what did I miss? That’s right…nothing.
June 16, 2008 at 8:14 pm Permalink
so they get to sing no matter what…
yuck.
June 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm Permalink
I wonder if they’ll boot Billy Ray in favor of Katie Cook, especially if they can’t wrap up a performance with Miley.
June 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm Permalink
OMG, not country but she sounds the best I have heard the last 2 shows!!! SHE must be going home then :)
June 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm Permalink
Carrie Underwood this girl is not
June 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm Permalink
this is NASHVILLE star right? i tuned in for some country music. this is absurd.
June 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm Permalink
I hate this song and it’s, once again, not country.
June 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm Permalink
Ryan, I say the same thing every time I tune into a Top 40 country radio station……
June 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm Permalink
Screaching mimi
June 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm Permalink
Well, at least Jeffrey Steele is wearing a button down shirt.
June 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm Permalink
Are they definitely the bottom 2 or just one of them is?
June 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm Permalink
Ok, it looks likes the fat guy might be the mole…i just dunno right now, its too early…check back later…
June 16, 2008 at 8:18 pm Permalink
Matt C., I don’t see how the fans will let her on. They’ll like the “Emo Band” more.
June 16, 2008 at 8:18 pm Permalink
I think Billy Ray is trying to show us what Blue Steel looks like.
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
Maybe I am in the minority but I loved Angela and Zac Hacker. From last season Whitney Duncan and Joshua Stevens received record deals as well. I don’t think there is a single person on this show who could have made previous seasons.
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
ARE you kidding me if this was called Nashville HOBBIT then I think these guys would be in the game LOL
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
Bohemian Rhapsody? Good lord that would’ve been painful. At least this is country. but Mr. Ego (AKA Randy Owen) would’ve hated to be there for this.
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
this guy sounds like a squirrel….reminds me of rascall flatts
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
well, it looks like an episode of “Branson Star” had broken out and one of the bus-boys is singing lead….
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
Good God, this is the best of the best they could find? Music is in Trouble
June 16, 2008 at 8:20 pm Permalink
OMG, that guy’s voice just made me pee my pants, well not literally but…
June 16, 2008 at 8:21 pm Permalink
hah, only their mentor liked it.
June 16, 2008 at 8:21 pm Permalink
Roger, his voice did sound like a squirrel or better yet a chipmunk–I think it was Alvin.
June 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm Permalink
“OMG, that guy’s voice just made me pee my pants, well not literally but…”
that is literal for me, it was bad…back to “The Mole”
June 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm Permalink
This show is just plain Awful
June 16, 2008 at 8:24 pm Permalink
With all the rigging, I’m sure they’re going to have it parallel the presidential election: a black guy, the navy boy, and a woman.
June 16, 2008 at 8:26 pm Permalink
I think that was a good choice to go.
June 16, 2008 at 8:26 pm Permalink
Whew! Made it through another one.
June 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm Permalink
I wonder if Ashlee Hewitt and the non-present Charla Corns are/were two of the planted talents?
June 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm Permalink
Thank god Squirly and the Chipmunks went home now we just need to get rid of the rest of them and be done with it, cant they send two a week home so it will be over sooner. lol
June 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm Permalink
3 stooges yes, 3 singers not quite.
June 16, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink
Wow that recap was thrilling!!! NOT
June 16, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink
nope Charla was one of the origional talents to be on the show and the reason I know that is because I work with her best friend, and to be honest with you the whole story they made up about her having voice problems was a dang lie, the real truth I think was that she would have definately stood out as the front runner with this cast. so they couldnt make it blatently obvious
June 16, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink
I could get rid of about 5 or 6 of them right now.
June 16, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink
Brady, Coffey (token black guy) won’t last the whole show. Neither will the token fat girl. And is ‘underwear boy’ there for the girls or the minute gay fans?
June 16, 2008 at 8:30 pm Permalink
OMG, this was just a preview to Pop night next week!!!!!!!1
June 16, 2008 at 8:30 pm Permalink
Oh, I thought we already had a couple of pop goes country nights!!! I don’t think I’ll be able to watch any more of these.
June 16, 2008 at 8:30 pm Permalink
I thought tonight was Pop song night, you mean they are going to sing pop songs next week? Wow I’m lost
lol
June 16, 2008 at 8:31 pm Permalink
good night john boy…
June 16, 2008 at 8:32 pm Permalink
has anyone heard anything of how the ratings have been for the first episode?
June 16, 2008 at 8:32 pm Permalink
This show is seriously making me laugh hysterically. You really can’t make this stuff up.
June 16, 2008 at 8:33 pm Permalink
MDC, the ratings were double of what they got on USA Network but nowhere near what they were hoping (pretty bad really). Maybe it’ll get canceled before the season is even finished.
June 16, 2008 at 8:34 pm Permalink
Michael, that makes sense I suppose. How are they keeping her quiet?
Here is a link for the viewership numbers.
June 16, 2008 at 8:34 pm Permalink
God I hope so at least that way we dont have to be subjected to the winner on radio or tour
June 16, 2008 at 8:34 pm Permalink
Honestly, did the producers just pick someone to meet demographic requirements? I mean, c’mon, this is a country show shouldn’t it have country singers?
June 16, 2008 at 8:39 pm Permalink
ok. there really isn’t much country music going on here. I thought it would be ok but I’m not sure it will be anything but crap.
I auditioned and made it to the regionals. I think i could have picked 12 people out of my line that were at least on par with this group. I thought we would see extremely good COUNTRY singers and songwriters. this looks like star search mixed with American Idol. its bad.
It’s kind of sad what has turned out to be on this show. it’s hard to watch. so i think i won’t.
June 16, 2008 at 8:57 pm Permalink
Speaking of rigging…someone on the Nashville Star message boards mentioned that Jewel approached Charley (a friend of the poster) backstage after he was kicked off last week and told him that the judges wanted to keep him on, but the producers wouldn’t let them. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I wouldn’t be surprised. A little too country for the country show?
What songs were sung tonight? I have a couple of hours until it airs…
June 16, 2008 at 9:06 pm Permalink
Well..not to defend NS in any way, but Charlie deserved to go.
June 16, 2008 at 9:07 pm Permalink
Jewel’s album moved about 43,000 units its first week–its needs all the promotion it can get.
June 16, 2008 at 9:59 pm Permalink
You’re right it is unintentionally hilarious — NEXT week is “pop” goes country? As opposed to the classic sounds of Ernest Tubb and the Wilburn Bros. these past few weeks.
Like others, I also can’t believe I’m actually missing the old NS. Lance Miller was pretty good. Can’t recall his season, and I know he didn’t win, but I’ve heard him live at Billy Block’s and he was good. I also heard the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party with Buddy, Ray, Trent and Mark Wills when they opened a few weeks ago at the Wildhorse. Buddy has a great voice, but his stage presence is really poor for someone who should be more comfortable at this point.
June 16, 2008 at 10:19 pm Permalink
Matt B.: I’m thinking UWB was added for the exact reasons you mentioned, teen girls & gays. I had some friends over tonight, none of which liked country music, but they both liked UWB (one friend was a teen girl and one was gay).
Out of all the contestants I’m only rooting for three, Gabe Garcia, Melissa Lawson and Coffey. They’re not great but they’re the best there is. Also Laura & Sophie are starting to grow on me. From the past seasons I’ve liked a couple of the contestants (Buddy Jewell, Miranda Lambert, George Canyon, Jody Evans, Chris Young, Matt Mason, Angela Hacker) but I don’t think any of these contestants will be remembered once they’re gone.
June 16, 2008 at 11:26 pm Permalink
I only caught the last couple of performances (everything after Gabe), and this contest is so terribly weak. Coffey wasn’t bad, though his spasmodic jerky hand movements forced me to close my eyes and listen. However, him being on Nashville Star is a joke. You can’t possibly tell me that there are no black country singers out there, and this AC/”rock” wannabe is the best they could come up with. It’s sad that the only people really trying to sound country are the teenage girls.
At least Third Town is history, as I couldn’t bear another week of that. Too bad for them that Opryland shut down years ago, because they would have been perfect there.
June 17, 2008 at 6:18 am Permalink
I can’t believe they are going to do a “pop” show next time, when this show has been half pop and people trying to sing country. Ok, I voted last week to insure some more serious artists stayed and many times, the phone was messed up and didn’t go through. Especially once you got to the “10″ numbers, so I think that is why Melissa numbers were so low. I noticed this week, it worked.
Well, if it’s all pop next week, is Miley going to perform? UGH!
June 17, 2008 at 7:24 am Permalink
Glade to run through all the comments this morning. Assures me that missing this show going forward is the right call. Such a wasted opportunity…
June 17, 2008 at 7:51 am Permalink
It’s a relief that MDC isn’t bitter about the whole NS thing.
I find it hard to believe that they held a talent search and these are the best people they could find.
June 17, 2008 at 9:41 am Permalink
I must admit I am looking forward to Kelly’s updates on “The Mole”! (lol)
June 17, 2008 at 12:46 pm Permalink
I had such high hopes for this season. The first time I tuned in to Nashville Star, which was a couple of years ago in the middle of the American Idol season, I was astounded at the talent level. They wrote songs, played instruments and sang great country music. I thought the only reason the winners and others (except for Miranda Lambert) never made it very far was because of it’s obscurity on USA. I thought it being on NBC sould really thrust is into the limelight and the winners into stardom. However, it has changed so much, I hate it. NBC made a BIG mistake in the way it is producoing the show and in the talent type and level. I know the talent is out there. Aparently they were looking for something else other than true country music. The name of the show isn’t “Gone Country”. That has already been done.
June 17, 2008 at