It's time for another episode of Nashville Star. This week the finalists will be taking pop songs and giving them a country spin. The show starts out with the female dancers dancing on the stage. Billy Ray says that this week they're going to do things a bit differently. He says that if he calls someone's name, they should step forward.
First, he calls Tommy, next is Gabe. He says that one of them is moving on, and one is in the bottom. Tommy is in the bottom two. Gabe will sing first.
The final 10 will perform a group number, singing Madonna's "Like a Prayer." It's another group number where some of the finalists shine, and others really sound bad. I think most of the problem is the key. It seems a little high for some of the guys. When they sing as a group, they sound strong.
We see a video of the judges talking to the finalists, saying they need to pick it up. John will take the girls to his bar, called "The Spot" in downtown Nashville. Jeffrey will take the groups to his studio. Jewel is going to be on Leno, so she's taking the guys to L.A. with her, and will mentor them between soundchecks and makeup.
Back from the commercial break, Gabe Garcia is first to sing.
In Gabe's pre-taped video, we see him talking to Jewel. He's going to sing Ricky Martin's "Living La Vida Loca." Jewel tells him he needs to be a little more charismatic.
Back to the live performance, Gabe is decked out in black Western shirt and jeans and a black cowboy hat.
My thoughts: This has never been a favorite song of mine, but I think Gabe did an awesome job. He really did make the song country. He was much more loose, and I just really enjoyed his whole performance. During the chorus, he had the dancers come out and dance while he sang.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4.5
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4.5
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 44
Jeffrey: Gabe. When I watched that little piece before the show, the most relaxed I've ever seen you on this show was when you were in that hallway, dancing around with your guitar in the hotel. You're our resident cowboy. You just blew my mind.
John: We're both Texas guys, and I've played all the same bars that you've played throughout the years down in south Texas, and central Texas. I think you just pulled it off big time.
Jewel: I was so surprised. I have to tell everybody... when they mention that you can have backup dancers as an option, he was the first one to say "I want some." I agree with Jeffrey, you can loosen up more.
The next person to perform is moving on to next week. It's Pearl Heart. They will perform the B52's "Love Shack."
We see the pre-taped video where the girls are talking to Jeffrey. He says Courtney has to bring it more. They try the song, and are worried. Jeffrey suggests that they perform in front of the mirror.
In the live performance, Pearl Heart sings "Love Shack." The girls are shoulder to shoulder, rather than Courtney being in the front and the twins behind.
My thoughts: The girls have great harmonies, and I really like this idea, and the bluegrass arrangement is fantastic.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4.5
Emotion: 4.5
Song Choice: 4.5
Originality: 5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 44
John: The B52's as a country band. I always knew they were a country band. My only criticism for you girls... First of all you look incredibly great tonight. Here's what I saw going on between the three of you. Instead of the three of you working the audience, I saw you looking at each other a lot.
Jewel: Jeffrey did a great thing bringing you guys together to help take the pressure off of you being a front woman. But, it's still cheating just a little bit. At some point ya'll are going to have to step away, and you are going to have to be a front woman.
Jeffrey: I still see the little looks, like on what John said, almost like you're not sure, like you're saying, are we doing ok? Make the heart out of that triangle.
Next to perform, moving on to next week is Alyson Gilbert. She'll sing Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now."
In Alyson's pre-taped video, Alyson is talking with John. He tells her she needs to be consistant. They talk about the tempo. Alyson wants it slow, and John wants it fast.
Back in the live performance, Alyson starts at the top of the staircase, and then walks down as she sings.
Overall Look: 5
Quality of Performance: 4
Emotion: 4
Song Choice: 3
Originality: 4.5
Personality: 4.5
Stage Presence: 4
Confidence: 4
It Factor: 4
Risk Taker: 4
Total Points: 41
My thoughts: She seemed to pick a middle tempo. Not overly fast, but not a ballad, either. I think she did much better last week. Not my favorite performance.
Jewel: I don't know if you couldn't hear very good tonight, but it was kind of pitchy tonight.
Jeffrey: Dr. Jekyl and Alyson Hyde. I'm the one that's been waving your flag the whole time. I said this girl's got the package. But, I don't know who I'm getting week to week.
John: If you're gonna boo him, wait til you see what I have to say. First of all, what are you doing? It's pop goes country. You didn't rock it, or you didn't take it anywhere special. You didn't rock, and you should have.