The next person to sing is Brad Cotter.
Brad sings "Hold On Loosely."
Tracy: Brad. Week after week, you continually prove that you are a stellar vocalist. And you can handle any type of song. I believe you are ready to make a record.
Billy: Brad, you blew my whole theory about the keyboard. I liked you with the guitar too. That was great.
Brad: Brad, I noticed that the Don Imus judges didn't like you that much, which means you're not old and out of style. Good for you.
Brett: Nobody wants to be liked by a drooling old man in a bolo tie. I'm a fan of yours. Thank you.
My thoughts: Brad seemed calm. He's definitely a performer who is comfortable on stage. I thought he sounded really good too.
Back to the Hot Shot. They show Brent sing and again, they tear him apart, saying he's too pretty. They give him a 4. Next, Lance sings and they think that he's too twangy. They gave him a 3. George sings and although Imus loved him, gave him a 10, one of his crew gave him a 4, saying the song was too depressing. Jennifer is worried what they'll think of her. They cut to a commercial.
The next name is read. It's George Canyon, leaving Brent and Lance in the Green Room.
George sings "Can't Ya See."
Billy: George, I'll tell you what I can't see... regardless of the outcome of this contest, I can't see you not getting a record deal.
Brett: George, you're proving that cowboys and rock and roll are tied at the hip, my friend. If every country show was like this one tonight, Nashville is going to start selling records again. I'm tellin' ya.
Brad: And you're playing that guitar. I like it.
Tracy: You know, George, I was first worried about you doing a Southern Rock song. But I tell you what, you jmade it your own and it was a great song for you.
Brad: Southern Canada.
My thoughts: I don't think George can give a bad performance. Like Brad, he's a true performer. Loved his performance.
Nancy is in the audience and asks one of the band members "Why do you think people love southern rock so much?
Lynyrd Skynyrd band member: I think it's the real deal. You know. It talks about the real things in life. And everybody can relate to that.
Nancy then asks: What about our performers up there, what do you think?
Lynyrd Skynyrd band member: Oh man, I think they're all great. I don't know how you guys are going to judge this thing. I think they're all winners, and they're all great, and I don't think any of them should go.
Back to the Hot Shot Challenge. Jennifer sings. All the Imus crew loved her and were teasing her about how she was holding the guitar. (This all was very Howard Stern-like if you ask me.) She got a 7. Matt is next. They rip him saying he looks like they pulled him off a tractor. But one guy gives him a 10 for making him laugh.
Back to the stage with all six left on stage. Nancy brings forth Brent Keith and Lance Miller. The person staying is Lance Miller. Brent thanks everyone who supported him, then goes back to say goodbye to the others.
Lance sings "Ramblin' Man."
Brad: Lance, ever since you did that song about drinking beer for breakfast, you have been kicking ass.
Brett: You sang so good tonight, I think that Johnny Van Zandt would sing background vocals for you. I don't know.
Tracy: Listen, Lance. I know why Don Imus is so taken with you. Number one, he has good taste, number two he loves country singers. And no matter what you do, that country voice comes through. You're a meat and potatoes country man.
Billy: Lance, I just think.. you didn't have the best stage presence tonight. I've seen you look more loose on stage. I think vocally you were great, but you just didn't seem comfortable singing.
My thoughts: I think Lance did well, but he's done better. He did mention that he is having a hard time having just said goodbye to his roommate, so I can understand that.
They cut to another commercial and Nancy says when they come back they'll have another performance from Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The top five contestants are on the stage again and Nancy says it's almost time to vote. The performances are shown again and the numbers are shown again to vote for your favorites.
Lynyrd Skynyrd gets back on stage to sing "Red White and Blue," which was co-written by the Warren Brothers.
While I enjoyed all the performances, and I liked Lynyrd Skynyrd singing as well, I just think the Hot Spot Challenge was way too stupid. They were totally out of their element and placed in a position where they were ridiculed and I think that was thoughtless of whoever's job it is to come up with these challenges. Who wants to go to a radio show where they tease you and say you look like a girl and they hate country music? I'm very disappointed in that.