This week, the Original Nashville Star, Buddy Jewell kicks off the show with a live performance of his current single, "If She Were Any Other Woman." It's great to see Buddy back on the Nashville Star stage. He's really done well in the two years since he was crowned Nashville Star. While he may always hold the title, he's not simply a "Nashville Star," but a "Genuine Star," which some signs in the audience stated as well.
After the opening credits we see the finalists on the stage with LeAnn, who asks everyone to give it up once more for Buddy Jewell, who is in the first row of the audience. She says that we'll be talking to Buddy later on in the program, but first let's meet the real stars of tonight's show, and she introduces... Justin, Jenny, Jayron, Jody, Jason and Erika Jo.
LeAnn reminds us that with the elimination of Tamika Tyler last week, anything can happen. In three weeks, one of the six remaining finalists will walk away with an exclusive record deal and the title of Nashville Star. But also, later on tonight, we'll find out the fifth finalist America has chosen to be eliminated.
Next, we meet the judges -- Phil Vassar, Anastasia Brown and Bret Michaels.
LeAnn: (to judges) "So, let me ask you guys. Do you think America did the wrong thing by kicking off Tamika last week?"
Anastasia: "Ok, as you know, she was my lead horse, and I felt she had the strongest voice. But, it's not only about a gorgeous voice. It's about more than that. I sensed a diva lurking inside, and I guess others did too. And so America gave her a big ole spanking."
Phil: "Which is nice. I'll take that."
Bret: "Go ahead Phil, you take it."
Phil: "I don't know about the diva thing. I don't know about that. But, she could sing great, and I loved her accent. She picked great songs too. I liked that about her."
Bret: "You know, I think Tamika had this. This is my feeling about her. She absolutely could sing. There's no doubt about it. She had a ton of drive. I think her biggest downside, and I tried to warn her, is sometimes you have to take that anger, and turn it into your music, and just not take it out on the fans. 'Cause we dug her, you know? We loved her voice, and we loved her music. So that's just my feeling."
Back to the stage with the finalists and LeAnn.
LeAnn: "Jason get over here. You're on the hot seat now. So, um Tamika.. everyone was kind of shocked that Tamika got kicked off last week. How do you feel about it?"
Jason: "Well, my feelings are.. we all bonded here in a special way. And we hate to see anyone go. And we love every one just as much as the other. And it's a competition. And somebody's got to go home every week, and that's just the way it is."
LeAnn: "Well, good luck tonight. Thank you."
Time to announce who actually did make it through this week. The finalist that America has voted through for another week is...Jayron Weaver.
In Jayron's pre-recorded message he says, "I am a Christian, and whether I'm singing Country music, or I'm singing Christian music at the time, that's who I am. I mean, this is like your Cinderella story type of thing. Because I don't know what it's like to play in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, and sing in front of them. I don't know what that's like. I have never played anything other than church, and a coffee shop. So to me, I am the underdog in this. And I just hope that everybody roots for the underdog."
Jayron's song tonight is "Should Have Been a Cowboy."
See my Rankings for Episode 6
LeAnn: "So, Jayron, let me get this straight now. Out of all the remaining contestants, you feel you are the underdog?"
Jayron: "I do. I mean, I have the least experience performance-wise."
LeAnn: "Really? Well you sounded great."
Jayron: "Well, thank you."
LeAnn: "Let's see what the judges have to say?"
Anastasia: "And Jayron, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I love your beliefs. And I respect them. All I'm saying is pick a lane. I think there's not enough grit in your country, and I don't think you're carrying a six-shooter. So, I think you should pick a lane and go for Christian radio."
Jayron: (Looking bewildered) "Thank you."
Bret: "I'm not going to touch the grit in your country, but I will touch this, alright. I think you're going to have to start getting used to playing in front of 5 or 10 thousand people."
Jayron: "I'll see what I can do about that."
Bret: "I'm just going to shut up and pass it on to Phil. that's all I gotta say."
Phil: "When you get.. it's just rock.. I mean it's like, I love this voice, and I want to see your passion. I think you're just awesome. I wanna see you bring it. Pump it."