Nashville Star - What happened this week? - March 15, 2003 Nashville Classics

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March 15, 2003 was the date of episode 2 for Nashville Star. We again meet all twelve contestants and now they each get to perform in front of a live audience the "classic" country song that they perform on the upcoming "Nashville Star" CD, to be put out by Sony on March 25th. We also get a look at the home that they'll share for the next eight weeks.

While last week, I had no definite favorite, as I thought everybody did a bang up job, this week there were some so-so performances. I definitely have a favorite, but we'll get on to the recap of the show.

Nancy O'Dell said that this week would be the first where they eliminated one member. After the perfomances, one person was let go, and then for three hours after the show the phone lines would be open, and the website would take votes as well for people to cast their vote. The decison of the voting will decide who will be let go next week.

Next, Clint Black was introduced as the one that would be producing the winner's album.

I've added the comments from the judges after the performances. I edited Charlie's stuttering out on some of his responses, and unfortunately, the comments for Kristen aren't exact, as my pause button on my VCR messed up and I didn't end up taping her portion, so I wrote from what I scribbled as they said it. I've added each of the comments from each judge, with the exception of the comment by Robert K. Oermann for Ann Louise Blythe, as he really didn't comment much on her performance, but what country women have done to the song she sang, and that they messed it up before she did.

First performance of the night was from Miranda Lambert, who sang "Honky Tonk Blues."

Robert: "If you're this good at 19, Miranda, it's scary to think of what you're gonna be like at 30."
Charlie: "It's so hard... especially being the first one up here. I do this for a living, and to come out here and to command the crowd like this and to be so at ease... you did just a wonderful job."
Tracy: "Miranda, you made Texas proud, and we're proud we put you in this competition. Great job!"

Second performance was from Buddy Jewell, who sang "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye."

Charlie: "The first time I talked to you, I think the biggest problem I had was the song choice, and you didn't make it your own. But this time I think the song choice fit you well, and talk about makin' it your own. I think you just sang the hell out of it.
Tracy: "Buddy, you're like a neon sign, a cold beer, a sawdust floor. You are country music, Buddy. You sing your butt off. I love you."
Robert: "You know, some of the greatest vocalists in country music have sung that song, from Eddy Arnold to Glen Campbell. I never liked it better than I did tonight."

Third performance was from Brandon Silveira who sang "Act Naturally."

Tracy: "Alright Brandon, I have a riddle for you. Why did the A&R Excec get hit by a train? (Brandon says "No clue.") Cuz, she didn't hear it comin'. You won me over this time."
Robert: "I love your innocence and your joy up there, and I love it that you're a born ham."
Charlie: "For some reason, I don't know what it is, but I like your hair... a lot! "Act Naturally" is a great choice for a song. You're not a part-time punk, you're a full-time punk, like me, and that's a good place to me."

Fourth performance was from Anne Louise Blythe who sang "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me."

Charlie: "I thought you sang great. What I'm looking for is a uniqueness that's just all your own, and I just didn't see it come through there."
Tracy: "Ann,I think you have grown so much since the last time we've seen you. I think you're effervescent. I think you're bubbly. I love your stage presence. You did a great job."

We got our first look at the house that the contestants will share. The different rooms were shown as well as the contestants reactions to everything. Roommates went as follows: Buddy and John share a room, Jamie and Travis share a room. Tasha and Brandi share a room. Miranda, Kristen and Prentiss share a room. Amy and Anne Louise share a room. Lastly, Brandon has his own room. Much joking was made over Prentiss sharing a room with the two girls, and he said that he has two sisters at home, so he'll hold his hands over his face and not peek. Well, sort of. ;)

Fifth performance was from Travis Howard who sang "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain."

Charlie: "This song is one of the great melancholy songs of all time, and it just doesn't fit your performance."
Tracy: "Charlie, I disagree. I think you took that song and you made it your style. Nobody's gonna accuse you of being a great vocalist, but you're an outlaw, and I think we need more outlaws like you."
Robert: "I disagree with Charlie too, Travis. You know Roy Acuff would be spinning in his grave. He originated that song in 1947, and that's a good thing, because I'm not looking for the past in country music, I'm looking for the future."

Sixth performance was from Brandi Gibson who sang "Walkin' After Midnight."

Tracy: "Woo! I just have one thing to say. Woo! You go girl!"
Robert: "You were scared, weren't you honey? It took a lot of guts to go up against Patsy Cline, the greatest of the greats, and you've gone over the hump. I loved it."
Charlie: "It's impossible to make a Patsy Cline song your own. You did it."

Seventh performance was from Prentiss Varnon who sang "Hey, Good Lookin'."

Robert: "Well, Prentiss, I thought you did an ok job, man, but my biggest reservation about you is that we've got a whole lot of guys like you, and I want you to stand out of the pack a little more than you did. But, you're doing alright."
Charlie: "I disagree. I'm from Texas, and I love that stuff more than anything in the world. You remind me of George Strait before he got big. He was young, good lookin', and had that 'aww shucks' attitude, and you're from Uvalde, right down from my hometown. Good job."
Tracy: I agree with Bob. I would like to see more Prentiss. But, I will say this. You're the smartest guy in show business, livin' with those women in that room."

Eighth performance was from Amy Chappell who sang "Son of a Preacher Man."

Tracy: "There's something about you that's so endearing, but I gotta tell you, I don't think that was the best song choice for you. It didn't fit with me."
Robert: "I don't know Amy. I'm the biggest Dusty Springfield fan in the world, and I've always thought that was a country song. I think you made it your own."
Charlie: "I agree. I think Dusty Springfield should have been covered in Nashville a long time ago. You did a great job."

Next, was mentioned if you wanted to attend a taping, to call 1-888-OPRY-872 or go to the Nashville Star website. Looks like you can only get a ticket as part of an Opryland package.

Ninth performance was from Kristen Kissling who sang "Heartbreak Hotel."

Robert: "I really liked Elvis' version, but you made it your own."
Charlie: "I wish my kindergarden class had shapes like that."
Tracy: "It was a little pitchy, but not bad."

Tenth performance was from John Arthur Martinez who sang "When You Say Nothing At All."

Tracy: "I said this before, there's something so honest about your music, and so compelling. You don't do much, but you're just there. You're like meat and potatoes."
Robert: "After last week's show, you were my brother's favorite of the 12. He's 6'5, and I'm not gonna argue a bit."
Charlie: "I'm from San Antonio, TX, and I get to see this a lot, and we need more Mexican American country singers, and I tell you what. You're the guy who should do it."

Eleventh performance was from Tasha Valentine who sang "Your Cheatin' Heart."

Charlie: "You sing that song so great & it was a little too close to Patsy Cline's version for me."
Robert: "You belong on that stage. I don't care what anybody says. You know how to work that thing."
Tracy: "Bob and Charlie, haven't our children done so well tonight? I thik you did a great job, but I gotta agree with Charlie for once, I think I need to see a little more Tasha more than Patsy Cline."

Final performance was from Jamey Garner who sang "Two More Bottles of Wine."

Robert: "Way to go, Jamey! The main reason to do an oldie is to make it new, and that's exactly what you did with that classic."
Tracy: "Jamey, you have a style of your own. You're an artist. You'd make a great record."
Charlie: "Kick ass dude!"

Ok, my favorites? I thought Miranda did a terrific job with "Honky Tonk Blues." The song fit her perfectly, and she just nailed it. Buddy also did a great job with "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye." This week, I didn't care as much for Brandon's song. He sounded like he was trying to sound like Buck Owens to me. Anne Louise did a fair job, but it wasn't the best, and I'm tired of hearing her sing the same thing. Not surprised she was eliminated. Travis Howard did a good job with "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain." It was very different than what you're using to hearing from Willie, and that made it good, but I think another song would have fit him better. Brandi is perfection in my book, and I thought she looked elegant in that long velvet dress, and she sang the heck out of "Walkin' After Midnight." I totally agree, she did make the song her own. She did not try to sing it like Patsy Cline did. And the emotion when she finished was so genuine that it made it even more special. She's my favorite to win. Prentiss sang "Hey Good Lookin'" and did it really well. He does have a good stage presence. Ann sang "Son of a Preacher Man," and while the judges all liked it, I thought it was so-so. I liked her better last week. Kristen sang "Heartbreak Hotel," and did an ok job, but I think her appearance outweighs her performance. She's got an incredible body, and that outfit looked great on her, but the way she stood reminded me of Faith Hill and Shania Twain, and made me think "copycat." I dunno.. just me. John Arthur did a nice job with "When You Say Nothing At All," but it was kind of restrained, and I would like to hear him sing something more upbeat. Tasha sang "Your Cheatin' Heart," and sounded great, and looked very at home on stage. Like the judges, however, I think she needs to be more "Tasha" and less "Patsy." Jamey Garner sure does command the stage, and plays the heck out of that harmonica. He did an awesome job on "Two More Bottles of Wine."

Well, those are my thoughts. What did you think of the show? Has it got you as hooked as it does me? I'm definitely watching every week. Even if I wasn't writing updates here, I would watch. I think that the 12 contestants have a nice chemistry together and it was nice to see them feel so bad for Ann Louise when she was eliminated.