Nashville Star - What happened this week? - March 22, 2003 Styles of Country

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March 22, 2003 was the date of episode 3 for Nashville Star. Last week, the fans voted for their favorites, and this week, the person with the lowest votes was eliminated. At the start of the show, Nancy O'Dell, the host said that she didn't want to read the name, so instead, pictures of the contestants were flashed on the screen and the last picture would be of the one to be eliminated. They had the contestants turn around to watch along with everyone else, and Kristen Kissling was the one with the lowest votes. After a teary goodbye where Kristen said it was just the beginning for her, and she's got a great stomach. (huh?)

From there we get to see the performances of all the remaining contestants. Also, starting this week, the show is pared to a 60 minute episode, so there isn't quite as much footage shown from the house.

First up is Brandon, who sang Merle Haggard's "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink."

Tracy: "Brandon, you have the great ability to pick songs that suit you so perfectly, and you obviously know your limitations. But, I haven't seen you push your limits yet, and I want to see you out of your comfort zone. I dare you!"
Robert: "You're looking at the world's biggest Merle haggard freak here, so you're treadin' on dangerous ground when you try a Merle song. But, you got through it. I'll give it to ya."
Charlie: "I love ya to death. Your voice sounded great. You seemed a little more uncomfortable on state. Your strength is just getting out there and going after it, and I wanna see you go after it next time."

Second up was Amy, who sang the bluegrass song "Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine."

Charlie: "Amy, you had me from the first note of that song. Last week, I didn't think it was the best choice for you. But you really showed your personality tonight. I thought you just kicked that song's butt. You did a great job."
Robert: "I think it was really cool that most people know that song from the Kentucky Headhunter's version. You took it back towards its roots, which is Bill Monroe, and I applaud you for that."
Tracy: Man, my only complaint was it was too short, and I wanted to hear more!"

Third up was Brandi, who sang Charlie Daniels' "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye."

Robert: "You've got a great vocal instrument, Brandi. You've got to learn to use that instrument more wisely. You come out there cranked up to 10 every time. I noticed it last week too. You need to use dynamics a little more in the performance, but you rocked."
Charlie: "I disagree on that song. How the hell could you not like that? I mean, jeeze."
Tracy: "Baby, you worked that stage like nobody's business, but I am gonna agree with Bob. You need to learn to fine tune it."

The fourth to perform was John Arthur, who sang Bob Wills' "Roly Poly."

Charlie: "There's so many things I was critical of last week, and I thought it was gonna be the same this week, but damn, each and every one of ya'll are just getting better every week, and that just shows... I dunno. Good job!"
Tracy: "I feel like I took a happy pill. I'm so happy to see all of you guys. And you're doing great. Again, I'd like to see you get out of your comfort zone. You did do something different, and I wanna see more of you."
Robert: "I love Western Swing, and I love you!"

They showed a little bit of the house, and how the contestants deal with stress. Some exercised, called home to their families, danced, drank, soaked in the hot tub, and wrote and played music.

Miranda was the fifth to perform, and she sang Tanya Tucker's "Texas When I Die."

Tracy: "In honor of baseball season, that was a grand slam!"
Robert: "Oh, you ain't no Tanya Tucker, but you sure as heck made me go to Texas."
Charlie: "Gosh... ya'll are makin' it hard tonight. Great job. Good God, that was just great."

The sixth to perform was Travis, who sang Dave Dudley's "Six Days on the Road."

Charlie: "Hey Travis, your rockin' tempo stuff is great. I wanna see something else of you, because it takes a whole plethora of stuff to be a 'Nashville Star.'"
Robert: "I don't know if I agree with that. I hate to be 'Miss Pollyanna' on the panel here, but that's the greatest truckin' song ever written, and you kicked the stuffin' out of it."
Tracy: "I agree with both of you a little bit. I think you know who you are and I've said this before... it's not about the vocals with you, it's about attitude, and bein' an outlaw, and I still agree with that. Good job."

Jamey was the seventh to perform, singing a bluegrass tune, with added harmonica, called "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms."

Tracy: "Jamey... you know what I look for when I sign acts? Charisma. And you have it!"
Robert: "I don't know. "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms" is one of those songs that I don't care if I ever hear it again. So, I was kind of over it before you started. That's not a bad performance. I'm just sick of the song."
Charlie: "Jamey, you blow! But you blow the hell out of the harmonica. For anybody in Nashville to play their own instruments, I just love it."

The eighth performer was Prentiss, who sang Bob Wills' "Milk Cow Blues."

Robert: "Prentiss, I'm just guessing here, but I bet you never heard of Kokomo Arnold, who's the bluesman who originated that song, and that's why it sounded so 'white.'"
Charlie: "I'm going back to Texas tomorrow, and I can't wait, 'cause I get to hear music like that."
Tracy: "Prentiss, I loved it. I'm seeing more personality from you. I think you keep growing every time we see you."

Tasha was the ninth performer, and she sang Elvis' "Little Sister."

Charlie: "I think you did a great job, but the bar is really, really high tonight, and you've really got to step out there. I'm not sure if you got there or not. We'll see."
Robert: "I think you're a torch singer. I don't know that you're a rocker. It didn't work for me."
Tracy: "I just want to go home right now. I don't want to make this decision. I think you have to watch being a little too cute."

The last to perform was Buddy, who sang Lynyrd Skynrd's "Three Steps."

Charlie: "The first time I saw you, I couldn't pick you out from anybody else. But now, every time I see you, you're showing more of your self every time, and that's great."
Robert: "Buddy, my butt is sore, because you just kicked it, pal."
Tracy: "Good job, Buddy. That's what I'm talking about. You stretched the limits, and you stretched the limits of yourself. Good work."

After everyone performed, they had the judges make their decision to eliminate someone, and that person was Tasha. When Nancy speaks with her, Tasha apologizes for being a "crier."

Ok, my thoughts on the performances?

• I thought Brandon did ok, but he's one of my least favorite from the guys. I like his style and attitude, and heck, he's from CA, as I am, so it's hard to root against him, but I don't think he's one of the Top 3.
• On the other hand, Amy, who has never really wowed me really did a great job on her song.
• I thought Brandi showed a lot of spunk and really looked like she was having a great time out there. I liked her performance last week better, but am glad she's showing more than one side of herself. She's in my Top 3, although I do agree that she could tone down the volume a bit, though.
• You know, I really don't see what everyone sees in John Arthur. He's a sweet guy, but he just doesn't do much for me as a singer.
• I have always liked Miranda's performances. She's definitely in the Top 3 with me. She just seems to go out there and just kick it.
• I enjoyed Travis' performance as well. He has charisma, like Tracy said.
• Jamey is a real "performer" as well. He really is good live, and can play the heck out of that harmonica.
• I liked Prentiss' performance, but it wasn't as good to me as others he's done.
• And, isn't it odd that Tasha was eliminated and she, like Kristen, sang an Elvis song. I didn't care for it, although I like the song. It just didn't come across for me.
• Buddy is one of my Top 3. I'm glad to see him do something different. I really like him a lot.