All three contestants are on stage again and Nancy says everyone will get to perform one more time.
Nancy is back with Sara Evans. She asks her how can the contestants deal with the pressure.
Sara: Well, you know, I use my family to keep me grounded. I have two small children, and I'm married, and I have 6 siblings. And so, when ever it gets so overwhelming, I try to just take a rest, spend time with family. But it's just like any big business, or any form of show business. It can be stressful. But it's also very, very fun, and it can be addicting.
We get to see the contestants perform again. Matt is up first.
Matt sings "River in the Rain."
Billy: Darn you Matt, I think radio might play that one.
Brad: You know Matt, I don't think you're as good a singer as the other guys left in this competition. But I almost want you to win, just to piss Tracy off.
Brett: I love the red hat. I'm glad you never took it off. Shows stamina.
Tracy: Matt, if I didn't love you, you would have been gone the first round. But since I love you, and that's why I don't want to change anything about you, and unfortunately, with labels, radio is our partner. And that's why I think you should make an independent record, and I'll be the first one to buy it. I'll promise you.
My thoughts: Wow, Matt did a 180 on this song. He sounds really good. The song is another original. It's a ballad, and he sings it well. No comedy.
Next we see a video of the contestants including Jennifer Hicks and Lance Miller at the Grand Ole Opry. They meet the Judds. They also got to stand in the circle on the stage. We're told the winner will get to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
George Canyon sings "The Girl In My Head."
Brett: George, you're definitely a star, but that song right there sounds really 1992 to me. It seemed a little dated.
Brad: It's not 1992?
Tracy: You guys are smokin' something. I tell ya what, even Billy Greenwood would play that song. That song's a smash.
Billy: I apologize for what I said before, I need 8 backstage passes.
My thoughts: I really like this song. It's sort of mid-tempo, and regardless of what Brett said about it sounding dated, I think it would play just fine on country radio. There are times when I think George sounds like Alan Jackson. On this song, he definitely does.
The final singer of the night is Brad Cotter.
Brad sings "I Meant To."
Tracy: Oh, Brad. Wow, you wrote that song? That song is a career song. I think it's one of my favorite songs I've heard in a long time. You have the whole package. You are ready to make a record.
Billy: Brad, I'm finished talking to you, (as he holds up his cellphone) I'm just waiting for Nancy to give me the number to call for you. You're the guy.
Brad: You've been the best singer on this show for about a month, no kidding, I really think so. And I think you're definitely the best songwriter. That was great.
Brett: You just bought yourself a crown my friend. You look like the next Nashville Star.
My thoughts: Man, I've been going back and forth between Brad and George, and after George's song, I was going to say that he had it for sure, but then Brad performed this wonderful ballad, again behind the keyboard and just made me change my mind. I thought to myself, "Can't they both win? I love them both equally." It's gonna be a tough decision for me on who to vote for tonight.
Again the three contestants are on the stage and Nancy asks the audience to say who they want to win. We hear cheers for each of them separately as she reads their names.