Wynonna and Cowboy Troy introduce this week's musical guest, Hank Williams Jr., who sings "That's How We Do It In Dixie." I saw Melanie Torres, Kristen McNamara wearing a black boa, and Jewels Hanson in the audience during Hank Jr's performance. What the heck is Wynonna wearing? Looks like a corsett under her jacket, but she's wearing it too low. Very unflattering. Although the jacket isn't too bad, and the shirt and pants would be fine.
After the introduction credits roll, we see the four remaining finalists on stage, and in case we forgot over the past 6 weeks who they are, we are introduced to them once more. Let's hear it for Casey Rivers, Nicole Jamrose, Matt Mason, and Chris Young. Each of the four finalists will get to perform tonight before they announce who is disqualified.
Cowboy Troy issues a challenge to the finalists, visiting them at their hotel. He says it's important that they remember where they came from, and give back to their community as well. Since 2001, State Farm has been hosting Child Safety Day across the country. They will go home and raise money for Child Passenger Safety with a concert.
Ashley Judd is introduced to give tribute to Wynonna. Ashley comes out and presents Wynonna with a career achievement award, selling 40 million records, 7 million concert tickets sold. They show a video clip showing her album covers and telling about the awards she's won, the hits she's had. They give her a large plaque in honor of her achievements. Wynonna says that it all boils down to music, and approaching 42 next month, she realizes that she appreciates that she can stand in the moment and just be alive. She calls the finalists her friends and says she's happy to be their sister-mommy, and that they are the next generation of country music.
Tonight all four finalists will perform. We're introduced to the judges; Phil Vassar, Anastasia Brown and from Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan.
First performer of the night is Nicole Jamrose.
In her pre-recorded clip we see Nicole going home to Dyer, IN.
"It's been overwhelming coming home. We see her meeting with her friends and with her family. She says, ' My husband had a little soiree for me. All my friends and family. You know, it feels really good. What's best about it, is that I'm back being a mom, and I'm with my family and friends, but I'm still doing the music. It's just cool now because everybody that I love, and that's closest to me gets to be here and be part of it. She hugs her husband and says she's so happy to be home and sleep in her own bed. She went to the ceremony on the top of a fire engine, escorted by a police squad. They give her the Lake County Hospitality Ambassador honor. Then, they went to 'Red Lobster' to celebrate. Then, at her concert she was happy to be able to perform without the threat of being voted off."
Nicole performs "Sin Wagon."
Anastasia: Whew, Nicole! You look hot tonight, girlfriend. Listen... Right song, wrong night. I worry that it's just a little too late. But, I do believe you deserve to be here.
Phil: You look great, Nicole. I love the song. Great choice of songs. You know, last week was a hard week for you. You did better.
Duff: Yeah Nicole, I mean, compared to last week, you absolutely brought it this week. And, it was great to watch.
Wynonna: Ok, so your life is really changed. And when you went back home... talk to me about what you were talking about at rehearsal, how much your life has really changed since the beginning of the competition.
Nicole: Well, I could have never imagined what it was going to be like when I went home. I thought it was going to be a big concert. But, it was so overwhelming. There was just so much support. I could have never imagined. It was wonderful.
Wynonna: She's a star, ladies and gentlemen. Nicole Jamrose, everybody.
My Thoughts: This is the song she should have performed last week, if you ask me. She did a great job with it. Spirited. Perfect for her voice and style.
We see an ad for next week's finale. Cowboy Troy will perform, and Big & Rich will return as guest judges. Although, what are they going to judge? The winner will have been chosen by the votes this week.
