Warm 'n Fuzzy with the Family
It was family week on Nashville Star with the contestants getting a surprise visit from their immediate families. And as pseudo-reality shows go, I'm a sucker for these types of things every time. What can I say, I'm a sensitive guy. 
I think I was born with high levels of menstrogen or something, because almost anything involving love, and family 
and spilled shots 
make me well up like a little girl.
So who peed in the judges pool this week? Wow, were they coarse or what? "Hey, thanks for flaying me in front of my family 
I'd like to go die now."
With that said, can you think of a more difficult situation for these contestants to sing in?! Who's the sadist that calls these shots? Let's get a bunch of your emotions swirling around and then throw a microphone in your hands. And then after we cut you down, we'd like you to sing again. It's fairly cruel really, but that's what we call box office baby! And yes it does separate the wanna be's from the stars. I remember being on the road with Montgomery Gentry when Trick Pony was opening up for us and lead singer Heidi Newfield 
found out that her mother passed away just minutes before showtime. Everyone was shocked that she not only didn't cancel, but she proceeded to give one of the most touching performances I've ever seen. It was in honor of her mom and it was truly inspiring. I still get chill bumps thinking about it.
Now dry your eyes and let's get to the show!
This week's show stuck with the family theme and started off with little Noah Cyrus showing ol' Dad a new little trick she learned, called "reading". She's got my vote to take the reins from Billy Ray right now. Even the teleprompter is like "Here....... do what I do." 
One of the front runners for this competition is Ashley Hewitt and she continues to excel and make progress. Showing off some piano skills and making it look easy. After seeing her reunited with her Dad, who is serving in Iraq, you have to think like I did, "Hey, what is that old guy doing in Iraq?" Well he must be really good at what he does, that or he realized he has 13 mouths to feed back home and said, "I think I'll put in for another tour".
Coffey was next and this is where the show took a tough turn. He did a rendition of Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'" and it was an ok delivery, but he's just not convincing as a country artist. His vocals seemed a little thin, 
but more than that it just felt like not much had changed from week 1. He's still a soulful singer who looks forced to sing country. I think everyone was expecting him to turn on the country, but after 3 weeks it hasn't happened. Which bums me out because I was pulling for him from the beginning. Do you know when he did look country? When I thought he was going to walk off stage and stomp a mud hole into John Rich for saying he's not country. Wouldn't that have been something?
"Say uh, Jed, did he just say we wusn't country?!"
After a quick shot of Vanessa Williams in the crowd, (why, I have no idea), we had Sailor Tommy up to try and redeem himself from last week's tenuous performance. Here the family surprises didn't stop, because right before he has to sing, they bring out his Navy buddies to surprise him, which was cool. The only thing cooler would have been if they all broke out into a rousing rendition of the Village People's "In the Navy." 
Besides having a cool style, I want Tommy to stick around so I can continue to use funny Navy pictures like this one. 
Pearl Heart remains to be contenders and they showed why with their beautiful rendition of "I'll Still Be Loving You" by Restless Heart (no relation). Again, it was hard for me not to get choked up watching Jeffrey Steele mentor these kids in this surreal situation. They alluded to it on the show, but Jeffrey lost his 13 year old in a 4-wheeler accident not too long ago, and it sent shock waves of empathy through Nashville.
I continue to enjoy his arrangements throughout the show and I think it's one reason some contestants continue to be on it. Then in his critique, Jeff stumped them and everyone else with a math problem, saying "instead of getting 3 of you to give 100%, I need all of you giving 300%, or maybe 2/3rds giving 180 degrees, or if we were all on a train going 70 mph and 3 of you were chasing me on bike going $11 dollars an hour, how fast will you be off the show?!" 
Ok Jeff, let's stick to singing and leave the algebra to the math geeks. 
Melissa Lawson continues to show off her goods regardless of girth and apparently America likes it. Again, she continues to out-sing everyone in the competition by picking strong songs that accentuate who she is. Speaking of accentuating, this was the part of the show that had me (and this pun is intended) belly laughing 
at the judges comments. Did you hear those word choices?
Jewel said she had a nice FAT tone, I think Jeffrey referred to it as BIG STUFF and then John Rich almost finished the trifecta by saying she was "the undisputed......" (say it, say it) but then he caught himself before he said HEAVYWEIGHT. Thank you, I needed that.
After seeing all of Ashley Hewitt's family out there and then bringing the USS Kittyhawk to port, I expected NBC to go ahead and tell Shawn Mayer, "Well we went ahead brought your entire hometown of 46 in from Iowa to cheer you on." Good Lord, no wonder you didn't have a budget for the webisodes this year (can you tell I'm having trouble letting go?) I think Shawn continues to reveal a different side to herself every week and hopefully she can be consistent enough to make it at least a few more weeks.
Next we had the winner of the contest Gabe who continues to consistently deliver great bells-free performances a la George Strait. Yes, I just made my not-so-bold prediction.
Unfortunately I think I would have voted someone else off before I voted Alyson off, but I am not America. Consistency is the key to these competitions, and unfortunately Alyson hasn't been consistent.
The cupcakes Laurie and Sophie had an unusually rocky performance this week. They kind of let me down because I'd like to see them win the whole thing. Yes I think they are young, but that didn't stop Billy Gilman, 
or Charlotte Church, 
or even LeAnn Rimes. 
I like their harmonies and I think with the right management they could be a viable commodity in country music.
Do you know who's not a viable commodity in country music? Whoever that freak was at the end of the show wearing the White Chapel shirt. I think he's Billy Ray's son, Death Ray Cyrus. Talk about the black sheep of the family! At first I thought it was little Toni from Third Town back to freak me out, but this guy made him look like a Jolly Rancher. 
I think we all know who didn't get enough attention in that house.
And it wasn't the tattoos or colored hair 
that scared the hell out of me, because that's been going on in music for years. 
I'm pretty sure it's one of White Chapel's song lyrics that says:
"Rusted tools excising rotting dead
With your corpse I lay caressing
My fun is done, it's time to send you back
I'll slam it six feet deep closer to hell
Descending back into your grave
You've been dismembered, molested, and maimed"
Zoikes! Can you imagine holidays at the Cyrus house?
"Ummm, Miley will you pass the potatoes before your brother bleeds into them?"
Besides, if you want tattoos and angst in your country music, then check out Hank III, the grandson of the great Hank Williams and son of Bocephus.
That's stone cold country!
I do give credit for Billy Ray standing by his son's side, even though he looked ridiculous, because let's be honest, we all looked pretty ridiculous growing up at one time or another didn't we?
As usual, leave a message at the beep (BEEP)
I agree with the pee pot being passed amongst the judges. I have no need for Jewel, but JR and Jeffrey rock my world hosting. Hey look 3 J Judges, has a boy band name ring to it. My faves of last night were Gabe and Melissa, hands down, best voices and best songs. Navy boy's eyes were freaking me out. Was he trying to set some sort of guinness record for eyeball extrusion? Coffey is best not served cold and that is what we got last night. The rest are forgettable to me. Until next week...
I agree with the pee pot being passed amongst the judges. I have no need for Jewel, but JR and Jeffrey rock my world hosting. Hey look 3 J Judges, has a boy band name ring to it. My faves of last night were Gabe and Melissa, hands down, best voices and best songs. Navy boy's eyes were freaking me out. Was he trying to set some sort of guinness record for eyeball extrusion? Coffey is best not served cold and that is what we got last night. The rest are forgettable to me. Until next week...
I agree with the pee pot being passed amongst the judges. I have no need for Jewel, but JR and Jeffrey rock my world hosting. Hey look 3 J Judges, has a boy band name ring to it. My faves of last night were Gabe and Melissa, hands down, best voices and best songs. Navy boy's eyes were freaking me out. Was he trying to set some sort of guinness record for eyeball extrusion? Coffey is best not served cold and that is what we got last night. The rest are forgettable to me. Until next week...
You are cracking me up, Wix! I, too, believe that the judges were a little harsh to the contestants, especially since their families were in the audience. But anyways...Gabe and Melissa ROCKED!!!! Those two are now my official picks for the final two. They are amazing, and I love listening to them.
I'm STILL tired of the twin thing with Laura and Sophie. They need to show that they have individual personalities. They really didn't do all that great this week, especially at the start of their second song. If they want to make it, they are going to HAVE to get a little individuality goin on.
The rest of the group fared alright. No one really stood out as much as Gabe and Melissa. And the redhead with the crazy eyes is gone.
I realized that Gabe was definitely going to clinch this thing this week. Instead of being stressed about the performance (like I am during the other performances), I was singing along with him. I agree with Jen that Melissa is also making a strong come back. She did a bit more than just sing this week and I think it's a step in the right direction. Ashley looks great, but her vocals are thin. I usually can't understand her. I'm thankful that John Rich finally said what most people are thinking about Coffey. Definite talent, just not country. I'm looking for Tommy, Coffey, Shawn, and the cupcakes to leave soon. Ashley could become a contender with Gabe and Melissa. Which leaves Pearl Heart. Did anyone know that the middle girl played guitar? They sounded OK this week, not their best. But it was still strong. I think they have the field beat (including Gabe, unfortunately) on shear beauty and star power. I'm still on the edge of my seat when they sing. I'm just not comfortable with them yet. How about a Gabe and Melissa duet night?
Where are the photos from episode 4, Jun 30th? If anyone knows let us all in on it. Laura and Sophie were not at their best this week, just wait until next week, they will knock your socks off. I wish the judges would critique their singing and performing abilities, they went after the girls ages, did the audition process eliminate them from competing/winning because they are 18 and 16 years old? I know they are being under estimated. Hard to believe Coffee and Tommy are still around, they look good, I'll give them that, but I thought this was a singing competition.
