I like me some John Rich, but our relationship is becoming love/hate thanks to Nashville Star. Let’s get right into last night’s show…
Laura & Sophie
Much to judge Jeffrey Steele’s chagrin, he’ll be mentoring the groups for the remainder of the season. (Sucker.) The teen duo opened the show with the Judds’ "Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain." I didn’t find them nearly as charming as last week, but their harmonies still sounded decent. Perhaps because, as Jewel noted, they’ve been doing this song for years. She wants to see how they deal with learning new vocals. John wants to see them do a song that reflects their ages, 18 and 16. Steele wants them to work more on their stage presence, because he still feels like he’s at a slumber party. Noting that Steele was their mentor, John asked, "What did you tell them? Did you tell them to take their pajamas off the night of that slumber party?" That was either highly inappropriate or just not funny. Wait, both. Strike one, John.
Ashlee Hewitt
John, who’s had success writing and producing for Gretchen Wilson and now Jewel, wanted to mentor the women, and he got them. Ashlee did her country-baby take on Johnny Cash’s "Ring of Fire," and while all three judges dug it (Jeffrey’s requisite hollow pun: "There was a lot of fire on that ring"), it didn’t move me. I was, however, happy to see someone (John) finally acknowledge that Ashlee is Jewel-lite … until he took the opportunity to plug the latest album from the "reigning queen of folk-country." Let’s not make it about the judges. Strike two.
Justin Gaston (pictured)
Jewel has the pleasure of mentoring the men, which includes this sweet, hopeless, 19-year-old part-time model. I almost had to mute the TV during his rehearsal of Plain White T’s "Hey There Delilah" — he kept screwing up because he was intimidated by Jewel. Commenting on last week’s recap, at least one reader argued that Justin was "hired" for the show. And heck, maybe John agrees with you. Following Justin’s performance — which was most notable for a couple of butt shots, that moment when he licked his lips, and an ill-timed cutaway to the girls of Pearl Heart clapping like they meant it not at all — John said, "You come off very, very, very sweet. [Girls in audience scream] Not in a good way. Jewel, I don’t know if you mentored this kid or made out with him for 30 minutes, but something went on. What happened? That was terrible." Jewel tried to defend Justin by saying he opens doors for everyone (not helpful, Jewel) and that he just needs to have better control of his singing. John snapped, "I think you shouldn’t be on this show. I think you snuck in through the back door." True, John, but it’s not his fault that someone wanted his hotness on the show — or that you judges decided yourselves to keep him around when he made the weakest debut last week. Strike three! Maybe the producers are hoping John’s blunt criticism will earn Justin pity votes. (For his self-esteem, I hope Justin leaves next week, but gets some acting work.)
After the jump, Jewel gives sound advice, Jeffrey calls Coffey "Charley," and John says something that makes a sailor blush.
Alyson Gilbert
I imagine it was fun for her to see John walk through the door as her mentor when he was the judge that voted to send her home last week. But she rallied singing the Police’s "Every Breath You Take." John thinks America will love her or hate her. I’m actually firmly somewhere in the middle: I think she has a nice, mature voice but still seems a little too show-and-tell when she performs. Jewel’s advice for her to study the way Reba McEntire carries herself onstage was perhaps the best of the night, other than…
Pearl Heart
Jewel told the lead singer of the sister trio, 17-year-old Courtney, that she needs to take dance lessons to feel more comfortable moving about the stage. Yes, yes she does. It was painful to watch her wander aimlessly during their otherwise perfect rendition of Bon Jovi’s "Who Says You Can’t Go Home." Almost as painful: Host Billy Ray Cyrus using the same joke John did. (Both took dance classes, and they didn’t work for either of them!?! Ba-dump-dump.)
Tommy Stanley
It was a night of bold song choices, and Tommy’s, Big & Rich’s "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," won over John. I like Tommy’s voice, and I believe his frenetic stage presence is genuine, but I’m still waiting to connect with him. Apparently, some of the lady contestants don’t have my problem. John asked the Navy man if the ladies are crushing on a man in uniform. When Tommy smiled coyly, John said, "I’m just sayin’, were you singin’ ‘Save a Horse (Ride a Tommy Stanley)’?" At least Tommy is legal. No wonder this show isn’t on during the family hour. (And how cute that John used the term "crushing on?")
Gabe Garcia
Last week, I questioned the judges’ overenthusiastic response to Gabe, but this week, I thought he deserved the love. Singing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?," he was relaxed. He was smiling. He sounded like someone you’d want to hear singing more than one song. Now, John just wants him to work a little harder for the female vote. In his words, pretend you’re at a honky tonk, and "Turn your Texas on." (I approve that message. Because again, Gabe is legal.)
Shawn Mayer
And the award for the biggest cojones goes to this woman, for taking on what John referred to, rightfully, as the greatest country song ever — George Jones’ "He Stopped Loving Her Today." If she went home, she wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, and I respect that. For me though, her performance felt shorter than everyone else’s and lacked any lasting impact. I so wanted her to have a Jason Castro-"Hallalujeh" or David Archuleta-"Imagine" moment, because I believe this girl is country and will go back to the pig farm kicking and screaming, but she didn’t. Like John said, she was good but not great. Jeffrey had a stick up his butt because he felt like she sacrificed the lyrics to hit a few notes, while Jewel disagreed, saying she thought Shawn used her vocals to convey the emotion behind them. That’s an interesting debate that, of course, there was no time to go into. I’d also love to hear someone like Rich, who has both the balls to be innovative and the brains to be reverent, talk about how you make a classic your own. I agree with Jeffrey that some songs are "sacred ground," but I don’t think they need to come with the fear of God. Sometimes, honoring a song means singing it, no?
Coffey
I was relieved when Coffey finally played that guitar on John Mayer’s "Waiting on the World to Change." I was worried it was just for decoration. I actually liked this performance. He took Jewel’s advice and didn’t go overboard on the runs. John wants to see Coffey do something original, and while I concede that he still needs to push through with some emotion, I do believe his voice would be unique in country music, as is. With the right material, and the right producer and polish, his sound could be memorable. Even if Jeffrey forgets his name. (Charley went home last week, sir.)
Melissa Lawson
We all think of Nashville Star as being kinder than American Idol, but there’s nothing nice about the way Star is handling its bottom two. None of the show’s contestants know when they’ll sing until their name is called, but after waiting all night, the bottom two have to perform without knowing which one of them has already gotten the boot. Cruel! Lawson made me nervous the entire time she was singing "Natural Woman." She’s got pipes, but not Aretha pipes. John said she could head to Broadway with the staged performance she gave, every move perfectly choreographed. She does need to loosen up. It’s nice to see someone look confident and own the stage, but when you’re that rehearsed, the audience can feel as though you’d give that same performance with or without them watching. We like to feel needed.
Third Town
I never thought I’d say this, but I’ll miss these guys. They wanted to sing Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" (!), until Jeffrey talked them out of it. I’m sure that was the right call, but I totally wanted to hear them make that country. After some frustrated tears from Little Toni (or Tony, who knows?), the guys switched their song to Alabama’s "Mountain Music." Predictable! As was John’s pissy response. He was peeved that the guys didn’t take his advice and name a lead singer. He said he told Alabama’s Randy Owen to watch the show and bet he just turned the channel. Harsh, John. The trio was in tune. Little Toni (or Tony) had the presence of a lead singer. And Big Toni (or Tony) was not nearly as off-putting as he had been last week. Again, I get frustrated when judges put people on the show, then rip them apart for the sound that got them there. Jewel’s curt critique — "You got the crowd going, but I’ve also seen the crowd get going for Japanese karaoke singers" — had me wondering if Third Town wasn’t as nice a group of guys as they seem. But the girls from Pearl Heart looked teary when Billy Ray, AFTER 15 SECONDS OF SILENCE, finally announced that Third Town was going home, so I guess they must be…
So, who is your favorite after Week 2? Is John out of control or highly entertaining? And how much did you want to slap Billy Ray when he said next week was "Pop Goes Country Night?" (That seems to be every night this season.)
Comments (1-30) of 258 Add your comment
John’s not out of control, John Gaston was flat, and Third Town sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks doing country.
John is dead-on with his critiques, but completely out of control and definitely NOT funny with his comments about taking pajamas off and making out with judges. Not cool.
I am so disappointed in this years show! Billy Ray? What were the show directors thinking? He says the same thing over and over – he doesn’t come off relaxed or natural when reading off of the teleprompter. The show is almost painful to watch – I hope it gets better.
It kills me that John Rich is judging a country music competition – he comes off as the hugest poser! Big & Rich are a sign of all that is wrong in country music right now. (Sorry for that rant.) Gabe is still my favorite, pageant girl did 100 times better than she did last week, Pearl Heart’s harmonies were dead on. Weakest to me were the pretty boy, who should have gone home last week, and Laura & Sophie – Mandi and I must have been watching different shows, because I thought their attempts at harmonies were awful. Best advice of the night was Jeffrey’s saying not to skip over the words in order to get to the big Star Search high note.
John, it seems, is TRYING to be Nashville Star’s Simon Cowell…..well, as mean as Simon is, John will never have Simon’s charisma! He comes off as being a foul mouthed redneck. He definitely wants to be the center of attention. And, the judges could’ve done better with the finalists than some they ended up with. Did they pick them just so they could degrade them? the pasts seasons seemed much better to me & I think the choice of judges, excluding Jewel, could have been much better.
I agree with what John Rich is saying, for the most part. I have a slight issue with his innuendos. I think Gabe is the most country sounding and consistent of the performers. Justin is the eye candy. Too bad he doesn’t sing as good as he looks. Probably impossible considering how good he looks. The navy man Tommy is there for the patriotic boost and then we have the teen girls. I think each act has been hand picked and not for their singing abilities. Billy Ray lacks as a host. If he says “wow that was great” another time…Someone please hire him a writer for his lines. Final note the trio of guys “Third Town” didn’t belong at all. There was nothing country in their sound.
“She’s got pipes, but not Aretha pipes.”
Just wanted to point out that “Natural Woman” was written by Carole King and sung on her album “Tapestry.” You don’t need “Aretha pipes” to sing the song, just a good voice and the maturity to understand what you’re singing about.
John made one too many Taylor Swift comments last night…if he thinks that little twit is the epitome of young country music then he needs to get the wax cleaned out of his ears.
John is out of control. I loved Nashville Star in the past. They need to get those judges back and a new host. I like Billy Ray but he is a little boring.
Haven’t seen a real “star” yet but Gabe might be the only one of ‘em that seems comfortable being country. I like the fact that this panel of judges doesn’t have a Paula Abdul among them. Like them or not, they do seem to be themselves and giving an honest, sometimes harsh opinion to the wannabes. But the male model has got to go. I’m with John on that one. He has no business being on that stage.
They need to bring back Cowboy Troy.
Thank you MANDI for the mini-TV Watch. Hope we can look forward to this every week. Love that the judges are coaching instead of just criticizing. Gp GABE!!
I’m so dissapointed in this year’s show!! Where’s the great talent to choose from?! Seriously, this is what we have to choose from?? And Billy Ray Cyrus is a TERRIBLE host and utterly boring! …sigh… This year I’m embarrassed by the so-called “talent” and by the terrible host. I’m no longer encouraging anyone to watch this season’s show. Maybe next year…
I hate to say it but John Rich is growing on me. The judges’ comments seem genuine. So glad NS doesn’t cut to field trips and filler like other shows.
say what you want about John Rich and his inuendos, but the guy can produce. His coaching of the women was well done, and was amazed on the differnce from last week for “pagent”girl doin every breath you take.
say what you want about John Rich and his inuendos, but the guy can produce. His coaching of the women was well done, and was amazed on the differnce from last week for “pagent”girl doin every breath you take.
say what you want about John Rich and his inuendos, but the guy can produce. His coaching of the women was well done, and was amazed on the differnce from last week for “pagent”girl doin every breath you take.
This is a no-talent show this year, except, maybe, Gabe Garcia…What were they thinking!! John Rich & Jewel need to go..Billy Ray is totally not on, but I like him…John Rich should remember where he was not to long ago! Big Kenny, come get him!!! Fast!!!
Achy Breaky Cyrus has GOT TO GO! Replace him with a robot. It would have more warmth and personality than he does! The judges are okay in my mind, though Rich’s off color comments and innuendo suggest to me he has no class. The “product placement” (TWICE last night for Jewel’s album) is ridiculous, and overall, their talent pool is shallow. I was disappointed with last night’s show vs. last weeks, but Tommy “Navy” Stanley clearly got my vote this week. I like Coffey, but he was off last night (and somebody help him clear the quiver – not vibrato – in his voice!) The model has to be gone. He can’t sing. Period. I actually thought Gabe was best last night. He’s growing on me. And Melissa Lawson is awesome, she was just confused last night by Rich. As for the rest (Shawn, Pageant Queen, L&S, Pearl Heart)…can’t say I’ll miss you.
The talent and the host this season aren’t half as good as in the past, and that’s disappointing. The judges, however, are a HUGE improvement. (In the past they’ve either blown sunshine or made some generic but lukewarm criticism — way too nice.) Plus, with the judges also coaching, the sub-par contestants are already noticeably improving. So glad there’s a mini-TV Watch for it!
Coffey can’t sing a note — he sounds as if he is vibrating.
Glad to see Third Town go.
But — don’t really like any of them. Gabe Garcia is probably the best, but . . .
Bad year so far.
Charlie Jenkins was the only real star on the show and that is why they dumped him. The comparison to the others would have too obvious.
Watched it this week and found the performances wanting. Most of the acts sounded like you’d hear them on a side-stage at a county fair, some were good enough to play at an Indian Casino lounge, but none had charisma and talent. All very raw. I remember when the show found the local legends who toiled in anonymity. I can’t see any of these folks selling 50 records.
Well, I just want to keep watching to see how it all unfolds, i think theres potential. And wether they’re good or not, its entertaining to watch!
I really like John Rich but he went over the edge with his comments to John Gaston. I thought the kid was going to cry. Hey Rich, didn’t you keep this kid in last week and send home Charlie (who was much much better)???
I really like Gabe, most everyone else was a disappointment, especialy quivery Coffey.
Yes, i agree with you; John Rich IS ‘out of control’ (but – dude…it’s HIS SHOW!! So who’s gonna rein him in?!). He SO needs to learn to THINK BEFORE opening his mouth. I blushed for Steele, Garcia AND Jewel, for all the reasons you noted. And not in a good way… A classic case of an Alpha-male running riot on national primetime TV = has lost all sense of propriety because he’s in the spotlights and it’s his show and so he calls the shots. Someone should set him down and make him watch ‘Citizen Kane’!! See if it strikes a chord…(but it probably won’t!). There’s a distinction between ‘Boldly audaciously telling-the-truth-with-charm’ and ‘turn-off trashy-shootin’-your-mouth-off-turn-off’; Rich should learn to tell the difference. And then apply it.
I have watched Nashville Star from its inception and I agree with those who feel this show is a terrible disappointment. The judges are an upgrade and you have to respect John for his talent and success. But there is not one contestant who demonstrates potential star quality. I was embarrassed for Trace Adtkins to have to sing with them.
I watched Can You Duet and the talent level there was incredibly higher than this bust. Perhaps it was because the Judges screened the talent on that show.
I stood in line with someone at the Nashville audition of Nashville Star so I got a first hand look at how the production was being handled. I heard a lot of very talented musicians while waiting in that line. Obviously the young interns who conducted the screening process were unfit to make the selections. The producers were more interested in drama than talent and now they have a show approaching the disaster of ABCs “The One” which survived two weeks.
John Rich is a gonad
Anyone else notice that they’re singing mostly old stuff?
I am so sick of John Rich. His 15 min were over years ago. John Rich is an example of the recent decline in country music. It has become cheap soft pop music. It’s all about looks and image, no one cares if you can sing or write. Add Billy Ray and his annoying teen in there too. Nashville needs to wake up and get back to it’s roots.