Next to perform is Tommy Stanley.
In the pre-recorded video, Tommy gets to see his family again. It's been a year an a half since they last seen each other. Jewel asks him what he wants to sing. He says he's going to sing "Bless the Broken Road," and "Tiny Dancer." Jewel just tells him he needs to make the performance country.
In the live performance Tommy has his guitar, and he plays it a bit, then pushes it to his back and takes the mic and walks to the front of the stage, and finishes the song mostly just singing.
My thoughts: I've always liked Tommy's voice, but he really doesn't have a very country voice. He was a bit pitchy too.
John: It's great to have a real Navy serviceman in the show. You're the kind of guy I'd go have a beer with anytime. And if that was the case, we'd call it show friends, but it's called show business. I think you and Coffey have the same problem. You have to concentrate on singing country music.
Jeffrey: I thought you might be gone by now. I've been hanging my hat on Gabe as our country guy. I saw something tonight. You hit a bad note tonight, and your voice cracked, and I watched you do something tonight, that was very cool. I don't know if anybody else saw it, but you sang right through it, and you compensated for it, and I know you know where it was, and we'll talk about it later.
Jewel: Tommy, I'm really pulling for you. You seemed a little self-conscious tonight. I didn't seem that same guy, full of that swagger.
Katie talks to Tommy's dad. She says, "Tommy calls you his best friend. How does that make you feel?" His dad says, "It makes me feel great. I miss him a lot. And I couldn't be more proud of him. Just go out there and show them who you are, and still sing country."
Katie says there is one more surprise for Tommy before he sings his second song. After the commercial break, we see that three members from his ship, the USS Kitty Hawk came from Japan to support him. They all give him messages of support.
Tommy sings "Tiny Dancer" as his second song.
Jewel: Tommy, this has been a rough couple of weeks for you. I think you're a unique performer. I'm not sure you're uniquely country.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 4
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 42.5
Next to perform is Pearl Heart.
In their pre-recorded video, Jeffrey meets with them, and they talk about how much they miss their families. Their family and even their dog come to visit. Jeffrey talks about losing his son two years ago, and how he has four kids too. He suggests that they sing "I'll Still Be Loving You."
In the live performance, the three girls are on tall stools, and they sing in three part harmony.
My thoughts: This has always been one of my favorite songs, and I think the girls did a fabulous job with it. I especially loved the final chorus, where they got up off their stools and it was really amazing.
Jeffrey: Wow. That first chorus came in and I got chill bumps on my arm. You really worked hard. I told you that you couldn't miss this week. It was going to be make or break. You still look a little stiff to me, but you did a fine job on it tonight.
John: That's a tough song to tackle. Three part harmony on that song in particular, there is so many movements in that song. To get the harmonies right would be a lot to ask. And, you didn't get 'em all right, but you got a lot of them right. And when you really got it right, it was really, really good.
Jewel: One of the nice set of tricks that you employed, was when you guys started sitting down, and then you stood. That was a really easy mechanical thing that you can do to bring up emotion.
Katie talks to Pearl Heart's family. Katie says, "A very emotional scene on stage, and here with Pearl Heart's family as well. But, I'm sure they feel good with someone like Jeffrey Steele looking out for their girls, right?" The girls' dad says, "Definitely. Jeffrey really gets my girls as an artist."
Pearl Heart now performs "One Way Ticket."
Jeffrey: Ok girls, I told you, you know, every week, from here on out, we've gotta step it up, in order to win this thing. I love the way this thing is coming along. Let the people love you. I can't have 100% from three girls, I need three girls to give 100%.
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
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 44