Here’s the rundown of tonight’s Nashville Star show. Check back here to see details of each performance and who is kicked off at the end of the show. Live blogged – this post will be updated every three to five minutes.

The show is down to Coffey, Gabe Garcia, Melissa Lawson and Shawn Mayer. The three judges are Jeffrey Steele, Jewel and John Rich.

Okay. The show is starting now. All four stars will sing. Then after that they will start the elimination process.

Shawn Mayer is up first. They show her hometown visit to May City, Iowa first. In reality, the hometown visits are just filler. With just four contestants left, they have to have something to take up time so they can fill up an hour show. Shawn is singing “I”m Here for the Party.” John Rich liked it. Jewel said something that made no sense. Jeffrey talked about Shawn’s wisdom tooth and how she was singing through the pain. I wasn’t impressed. Shawn has a nice voice, but not star quality at all.

Gabe Garcia is up next. He’s off to his hometown of Lytle, Texas. A parade, key to the city, etc. Now he’s singing “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Yes, Gabe is a good singer. He just is absolutely nothing unusual. Jeffrey likes him – talks about him working through a cold. John Rich does his usual pompous routine and talks about the void in country music when it comes to hispanic singers. Jewel is glad that Gabe is from a small town like she is. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Coffey is next. He’s my least favorite of the four finalists. He’s nasaly and wavery sounding. His hometown visit is to Los Angeles, CA. It shows him getting a star at his community church. Patricia Heaton and Sinbad are there later when he gives a concert. Now he’s singing “Sweet Home Alabama.” Sigh! What’s this guy doing in the final four? He just average. Let’s see what the judges say. Jeffrey says “this was pretty good.” “You’re a great showman. Your charisma has carried you this far.” John Rich agrees that he’s an incredible star and has charisma, but he doubts he’s a Nashville Star. Jewel though he was great – and agreed about Coffey’s charisma. I just wonder if Jeffrey, John and Jewel are seeing the same performance I’m seeing.

Melissa Lawson is up next. She visits her hometown of Arlington, Texas. Her husband and five boys rush to greet her. She goes to her old school, Arlington High School, where she said people used to pick on her. Now she is singing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” I love Melissa, and I believe she is hands down the best singer and highest potential on this year’s Nashville Star. She sometimes overdoes the cutesy facial expressions, though, while she sings. She knocks this song out of the park, though. Jewel thought it was a good job. Jeffrey said he feels that “everybody is sneaking up” on her. He’s tired of hearing the big notes from her. John (in his sanctimonious voice) asks her, “Why do you want to be the next Nashville Star?” She said because she wants it and it’ll change the lives of her family – and that’s her responsibility as a mother. Interesting answer.

Now the elimination process. Whoever isn’t chosen is the one who will go home.

First one to advance to the finale is Shawn Mayer. Her second song is “The Dance,” – and old Garth Brooks’ song. So – so. I don’t want to be too harsh, but she is mediocre at best. John Rich congratulates her on making the final three. Then he brags on her progress through the program. Jewel says she thinks Shawn would be a good Nashville Star because she has vision. Jeffrey is concerned about everybody’s health tonight. He talks about how she’s limping tonight.

The second person to move on the finale is Melissa Lawson. That means one of the two guys (Coffey or Gabe Garcia) will be elminated tonight. Melissa is singing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” As she sings, RT comments, “SURELY she will win the whole show.” Really, there is no comparison in Melissa’s singing and the other three contestants. They’re good singers. She’s outstanding. John Rich is giving her a standing ovation. Jewel says, “That was a beautiful song.” Jeffrey said the verse was too low for her – and the rest was beautiful. John Rich, “I don’t care what anybody says . . . those kind of performances connect with the audience.”

Okay – who will go home tonight? Coffey or Gabe Garcia? Of course they are dragging it out. Gabe is the best singer of the two. And . . . Coffey goes home! The man needs some sweat protectors under his arms. He keeps raising his arms to wave – and his purple shirt has big old sweat rings under the arms.

Gabe Garcia moves on to the finale. He is singing “Living in Fast Forward.” He did a good job of getting the audience involved. Still so-so, though. Jeffrey says, “Anyone who thinks we don’t have great talent, can kiss my country ass.” Uh – no thanks. John Rich talks about how “important to country music” Gabe is. Jewel tells he’s singing great, and that he isn’t a very vain singer. She loves it. Really?

That’s it for tonight’s show. I think Gabe may win simply because everybody is gung-ho for an hispanic winner. However, Melissa Lawson is the best singer with the most potential to make it big.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 28th, 2008 at 6:47 pm and is filed under Music, Television/Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.