I, like most country music fans, have been chomping at the bit to get to ORIGINALS night, because this is what separates country from other genres of music. The "realness". There's only one John Prine. There's only one Hayes Carl. There's only one Todd Snider. There's only one Robert Earl Keen. You get the picture. And of course, there's only one Willie Nelson. By the way, did you hear what he had to say about turning 75? He said he's outlived his rooster. And I'm paraphrasing that a little. But country music has always been about the common man. Rap music has always been about degrading women and extravagance. And Polka music has always been annoying. So originals night was a complete surprise to me!! Every song was way better than I expected. So let's get to 'em!

First up we had Coffey. I'm as stunned typing it, as he was when they announced it. Whaaaat? Really? C'mon. I still feel he doesn't belong this far in the competition, and I certainly have trouble believing he's better that Ashlee but this probably falls into the disclaimer of real small text they flash at the end of the show. Nonetheless, the performance was pretty good, but to go on song strength, his was the weakest. I agreed with Jeffrey when he said it was "novelty" because I hate when people just put a bunch of random country adjectives together. Like there's some kind of checklist of words that you have to have.

"Trucks?" "Fishing?" "Grits?.........Where's Grits? This can't be a country song without grits, people."

Also he mentioned a Dodge in the song and this show is sponsored by Toyota, and you could feel the sponsorship liaison grimace at that one. But it was a catchy enough tune and it was true to who he is, so I guess I have to swallow my grits and move on.

Fade me out..............Fade me out...................Fade me out.........

The rest of the songs were solid enough to be shipped to country radio tomorrow. When I say that I mean after they have been cut by an established artist. Case in point. I worked a single to radio called "Wrapped" by Bruce Robison. If you've never heard the album, please don't consider yourself a country fan. Anyway we couldn't even get it to chart because Bruce was too new, but it had nothing to do with the song. Fast forward a few years and King George Strait cuts it and releases it to be his 55th #1. And I believe all of those songs after Coffey had the potential to be cut by an established artist in country today, and they would be a hit. Coffey's could be cut by Colt Ford and not be a hit.

Next we had Melissa Lawson dressed like a Zebra, but making another stellar impression with the crowd. Kinda funny too because her song is called "Ready To Stand" which is the same as the signs someone must hold up at the live tapings, because it is sooooooo annoying to watch an audience be coaxed into standing when they don't want to, but that's the slight of hand that TV uses to make it look more dramatic. The same way there is always hot chicks behind the judges.

Anyway, Melissa continues to showcase why she's the vocal powerhouse of the show. They say some folks can't carry a tune in a bucket. Take me for example, I like to drink and I like to sing, but I've found that most people would rather listen to me drink than sing. If Melissa can carry a tune in a bucket, I think it would be this one John Rich keeps telling her to "stay in focus" which I guess means John needs to see the optometrist

The lowlight of the show turned out to be the judges performances. I was so looking forward to this, and I thought they were OK as performances go, but when you spend 6 weeks ripping people apart, you better be as FLAWLESS as you expect, and there were certainly flaws. (Jewel's legs were none of them though). She's guilty of the same "vocal acrobatics" that she chastised Coffey for in the beginning. It was painful to the ears and I love Jewel. Next we had Jeffrey Steele doing a few of his songs and this was ok, but again, I'm expecting to be blown away. But he's more of a writer than performer. Well that's not true, because he was in Boy Howdy, sporting a righteous mullet.

Next was John Rich and....oh....would you look at the time, I better get moving on to the winner.

Gabe Garcia shows no signs of slowing up. His song "Lost Weekend" is a smash. Chesney or Strait would take that song to number one quickly, and it might even be strong enough to break Gabe at radio, but I doubt it.

Poor Ashlee Hewitt, she sings a great original and then gets tossed off the show. And I told you that was a hickey! I want a writing credit on that Mike's Hard Lemonade song. But don't worry about her, there are already rumblings that she has a record deal in the works with a guy named Bugs, and at the very least they should be in contract negotiations with Mike's Hard Lemonade for at least a year (which is when she turns 21).

And Ladies and Gentleman, on the outside making her stride to the finish line like a true dark horse is Shawn Mayer! Skirting and flirting in the bottom a few times now, she might be playing this thing right, because I think it could come down to her and Gabe possibly. An outstanding song and one that you could hear on the radio today.

So in summation, Contestants - 4 out of 5 stars

Judges - 1 out of 3 stars

As always leave a message at the beep (BEEP)