Tonight's episode of Nashville Star is again different than the previous weeks. Noah Cyrus introduces her dad, Billy Ray as the host. He tells us that it's Family Night, and that the finalists haven't seen their families for over a month, but this week the finalists got surprised at rehearsal by their families, and they're all in the audience tonight.
Tonight, the finalists will perform not one, but two songs. The first finalist to perform is Ashlee Hewitt.
In Ashlee's pre-recorded video, she talks about how much she misses her dad, who is stationed in Iraq. She walked into her mentoring session, and sees her whole family. John asks her what song she wants to sing. She says she wants to play "Don't Stop Believing," and that she wants to start out playing piano, and then get up and play the guitar. John thinks that is a great idea. Ashley says she's going outside her comfort zone, as she's not used to playing piano onstage that much.
In the live performance, Ashlee starts sitting at the piano, then gets up and grabs her guitar and finishes the song that way.
My Thoughts: I thought she did a great job on this. She definitely was a little awkward picking up the guitar, but I thought her vocals were great.
Jewel: I really liked watching you opening on the piano and going to the guitar, but it still looks a little clinical. It looks like you're thinking about it. Even if you're nervous and uncomfortable, as long as you act like you're not, it's not going to translate that way. The singing was great.
Jeffrey: The Barbara Mandrell Show! You did everything but play the steel guitar. We're getting into the serious music business game. We're stepping it up. These rounds are going to get harder and harder and harder. Don't let anything shake your confidence. Stay in your room and work on your songs.
John: First of all, it is very difficult to go from one instrument to another instrument, and make that transition. I thought you did it very well. Especially for someone that's never done that before. Here's what's happening. Your vocals are starting off weak, and ending strong. I think you're on a very slow climb to the top of this food chain here at Nashville Star, but you better keep working at it. Good job.
Co-Host Katie Cook talks to Ashlee's dad. She asks him "What's it like to return from Iraq, and to see your daughter up on stage like this?" He says "It's so cool. I'm just so proud of her."
Next, Ashlee sings her second sing, "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
John: I told you this before, and I'll tell you again, I don't think you're the biggest powerhouse singer on this show. I think there is a certain quality about your voice, though, that I hear more and more every week. Your singing "Help Me Make It Through the Night" sounded like a modern day Tammy Wynette.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4.5
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 5
Originality: 4
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4.5
Confidence: 4.5
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 44.5
Next to perform is Coffey.
In his pre-recorded video, Coffey comes in the room and Savannah comes running to him, and he hugs her and picks her up. His dad is there also. He tells Jewel that he'll be singing "Hey, Good Looking." Jewel tells him that it's not a very vocally challenging song, so she wants to hear him milk his voice for all it's worth. She wants him to stand out as the lead male vocalist. She tells him to bring the crowds in, but to pick his moments.
In the live performance, Coffey plays his guitar and sings.
My Thoughts: I think he did a pretty good job, but his voice isn't very country. He did give this song a lot of energy, and made it his own.
Jeffrey: Too little too late for me. It's just not hitting me, buddy. You got a little bit better on the second half.
John: I'm concerned for Coffey. I think he got confused. First of all, a cowboy hat don't make you country. You can't fake your way through country music. Every song up 'til now has been pop, pop, pop, pop. I think he got confused when he came to the audition. There's a show called American Idol that they break pop stars. I say you go to that show. You're not a country singer, brother. You're a good singer, you're not a country singer.
Jewel: I'll be the mediator. It's a hard song to win a singing competition on. I told you that during the mentoring. I thought you followed those directions well. It's time for you to do a ballad.
Katie talks to Coffey's daughter. She asks her how she thought her daddy did. Savannah says "Great!"
Coffey's second song is "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
Jewel: Coffey, I do think that you're a mixture. You're half pop, but I know that you have great country roots. I'd love to see you do a ballad and move us emotionally next week.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4
Emotion: 4
Song Choice: 4
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 42
