The next to perform is Melissa Lawson.
In the pre-recorded video, Melissa is suprised by her husband and her five boys. They bring her red roses. John asks Melissa if she is going to play guitar. She says she thinks so. She practices the song, "This One's for The Girls," with John Rich singing harmony and her husband on piano. She says it's like a dream come true. John is worried that Melissa will lose focus with her boys there. Melissa says seeing her family is re-energizing her to win the contest.
Back to the live performance, Melissa is standing and playing an electric guitar.
My thoughts: I have never heard Melissa sing badly. I like the arrangement of the song, Great job, as usual. The guitar adds a new side of her. Not that she's playing like Keith Urban, or anything. She strummed it some of the time, and then just held it the rest of the time.
Jewel: One of the things you do well... a lot of the times when a singer is a belter, and theyt can go really high, they sacrifice the low notes. You had a really great job, having a warm, fat tone on the bottom, and you sang the high notes great. And you look cute.
Jewel: That was my same comment also, when I saw you in the hallway, to make sure you got the low stuff, just as important as you got the big stuff. I mean, what do you need to work on? What's next for you?
John: Let me tell you this, if Nashville Star was over tonight, you would be the undisputed winner of this show. Touchdown!
Katie talks with Melissa's husband. She asks him, "Rick, be honest. Has it be difficult with Melissa being gone?" He says, "Oh yeah. It's been crazy."
Melissa sings "Landslide" next, sitting on a stool.
John: Earlier on, in the early weeks of Nashville Star, you were not completely consistant. The nerves have you right now. I want you to concentrate on getting your nerves under control.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 5
Emotion: 5
Song Choice: 5
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4.5
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 45.5
Next to perform is Shawn Mayer.
In the pre-recorded video, Shawn gets to see her family. John says he thinks it's time for America to see Shawn's girl side. He asks her what she's thinking of doing. She says it's between John Lennon's "Imagine," and Faith Hill's "Breathe." She says she wants to show America that there's a sweet girl inside of her.
In the live performance, Shawn stands with just the microphone.
My thoughts: She does a great job on this. She has a voice that is similar to Faith's, and is breathy in parts.
Jewel: Shawn, it's nice to see you wanting to be prettier and softer. I thought the song was a good choice for you. You're running out of your breath, a little bit. That's really something to work on, and try harder.
Jeffrey: I'm not disagreeing with you, but I kind of like that, when she was running out of breath. I don't know if you're gonna get all the way to the end. You've got the dymanic to do it. You made a big step this week.
John: Do you think you're getting better?
Shawn: I've been working my butt off.
John: But, does that equate to improvement?
Shawn: Yes, I believe I've been getting a lot better.
John: We'll find out. I was impressed with that. I think it's some of the best singing you've done so far. I'm still worried about you because knowing who you're up against in the show. It's some pretty stiff competition. I was shocked at how good that came off.
Katie talks with Shawn's family. Katie asks her dad, "What do you want America to know about Shawn?" He says, "She's 100% country."
Shawn sings "Forever and Ever, Amen." She has her guitar again.
John: Shawn, you just proved my point, that I just made literally 10 seconds ago. It's the most aggrivating thing to see you nail one, and not nail the other. I don't think you're competitive enough to go all the way to the top.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4.5
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 44.5
Next, Blake Shelton performs his big hit "Home" and the Top 9 finalists sing along at the end. They's in the rear of the stage with their families.
Next to perform is Gabe Garcia.
My tv lost the connection for a few minutes, so I didn't see the pre-taped video for Gabe.
In the live performance, Gabe sings "Wanted, Dead or Alive." He starts with his guitar and he sings the first verse and chorus while playing along. Then, the second verse, he puts his guitar on his back, and he walks around and interacts with the audience.
My thoughts: Wow, this is the best Gabe has done yet. I love the way he was interacting more with the audience. Great job!
Jeffrey: What are all the hard core country fans gonna think, when they hear you singing like that?
Gabe: They're gonna say, "He kicked some ass."
John: Gabe, I was expecting to see.. it was like watching paint dry to watch you, up until this point. You're the best male singer on the show. You gotta get more comfortable working the stage, but that was a big step forward.
Jewel: I was on pins and needles, oh my gosh. I do think right now, you're the best male vocalist we have.
Katie talks with Gabe's family. She asks his brother, "I know your father passed away last year. If he was here right now, what would he say?" His brother says, "He would be so proud of him."
Gabe's second song is "The Fireman."
Jewel: The reason I think America should vote for you and keep you around is because you're country. It's authentic to who you are. You're not trying to play like a country singer, and you're willing to grow. I'm glad to see your improvement. And I just wanna extend to your family that they raised you well.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 5
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 5
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4.5
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 45