In years past I had seen advertisements for the show Nashville Star, although I never watched it. Perhaps I had in my mind that it was just American Idol goes country. “Another music star-wannabe show? Ugh.”
Then this summer rolls around, I see more advertisements and decide that I will set my DVR to record it and then give it a go. That way if I found out that I did not like it, I would just delete it and get on with my day. And if I did like it I could fast forward through the commercials to get on with the listening.
What did I find out? That I actually like watching the show and ended up watching the first three episodes back to back.
Things That I Like About the Show
The Auditions. They are condensed into a short and sweet segment. Not long and drawn out. No degradation, no ridicule. Just some good, some bad and some great. Then quickly into those who made it to the final round.
The Judges. They are not predictable in what they will and won’t like. They are real. You don’t automatically classify someone as the mean one, the pushover or the one who wants to be everyone’s friend. (If you know what I am talking about.)
The Second Chance. That even though someone may have received the lowest amount of votes, they get to prove that they do have what it takes to be the next star.
Things That I Don’t Like About The Show
The Guest Performers. I am watching the show to see who will be the next star, not those who already are. I’d rather the contestants have a little more song time to show us what they’ve got.
The Chippie After-Performance Interviewer. I have the same problem with the interviewer on Last Comic Standing. They just come off as fake instead of sincere.
What about the contestants on the show? I am in no way a show biz or music expert. However, I do know what music I like listening to and what I would buy. When it comes down to it the fans are the ones who buy the CDs, attend the concerts, etc. and in essence make the stars, well, stars. My opinion is that of one such fan. Others may agree to disagree, but here is my little breakdown of the performers.
Who I Am Rooting For
Melissa Lawson... Ho-wee that girl can sing. No doubt about it. When she does put herself fully behind the song she shines and really lights up the stage. Keep putting your all into it girl! And I just have to say I want to see a big gal and a mama win it all.
Gabe Garcia just plain sounds country to the bone. Not something that you can fake there. He’s got the voice and the depth to it that could take him all the way. I want to see him swing it out though.
Who I Can See Getting a Music Deal Win or Lose
Pearl Heart has the harmonies and they have their own little take on the group thing. The lead singer standing out thing is getting better and I can see that with some more work they would be highly marketable.
Ashlee Hewitt will undoubtably be signed the minute she walks off that stage. She is a wet dream for any promoter. Young, PYT (as the girl duo sang this past week) and boys everywhere will want to get with her and girls will want to be her. Yes, she can sing too. And that is always a plus. I don’t like singers who get shoved to the top simply due to their looks. Luckily this one can sing and has the passion for music.
Who I Would Like to See Improve
Shawn Mayer has to overcome her “take on everything no matter what attitude” and put her heart more into doing something good with a song that might not have been so great to begin with, but that when she sings it, it becomes great. She has to make her own greatness instead of being compared to those who have already achieved it.
Sophie & Laura are so saccharine sweet it’s a little too much. They need to get some more soul behind their words. Dig down deep and give some meaning to what they are saying. It’s almost as if they have only been just let out of a box and are beginning to realize that this is a whole world out there. Let’s hope that they start exploring it and grow with the competition. And the outfits? A little less matchy-matchy dress-up and more a cohesive yet individual look. Think of how the other girl group had a cohesive look but were all different.
Who I Do Not See Going Very Much Farther
Coffey. Why? Because there is just something missing there. It just doesn’t come across with a depth and not very country either. Which sucks, because I would like to see him do well. He is a very likable guy, but is he an artist or an entertainer?
Alyson Gilbert, already the judges have had it in their heads to compare her to Reba and Martina McBride. She’s been shoved into the red-head singer zone, and I do not think that she has enough original spark to step out of their shadows. I will say that her eyes are striking but she needs to pull people into her singing more.
Tommy Stanley needs to be reminded that this is a C-O-U-N-T-R-Y competition. I am not saying that he totally sucks or that he can not get people going along for the ride. But that I have yet to hear anything country out of him. Maybe he would be better off on American Idol. Although I’d hate to see him get crushed by Cowell.
Who I Was Not Surprised to See Go
Charley Jenkins only performance on the big little screen was very cartoonish. As if it was what someone thought country ought to be. I hate to say it, but it was like seeing a skit. He would have done much better to actually sing the song rather than perform it.
Justin “Pretty Boy”* Gaston. Something about the man did not come off even well, singable. He would be the karaoke guy that everyone at the bar was listening too and all the girls in the room drooling over. But he just not sound like a singer. Maybe not enough experience yet, but his voice just isn’t there. And what in the world was up with the man boobs white v-chest T? (No way that could be termed v-neck. A little farther and it would have been a v-belly button.)
*Due to be called too “pretty” by Rich.
Who I Thought Would Last Longer
Third Town has something but it’s just not really defined yet. They could be edgy country if only they could pull it together. I agree with the comment that they needed a lead singer. But evidently that piece of advice was left by the wayside and they blundered on to a scattered performance. Perhaps not listening to the mentors/judges is what sent them packing despite having talent.
I may not have ever watched the previous seasons, but I definitely will be watching this one. I am looking forward to seeing the contestants grow.
