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George Canyon - That Girl Inside My Head, Matt Lindahl - Georgia on a fast train, and Brad Cotter - I Meant To, and all but one song from Buddy Jewell's latest CD, Simply click the banner below........

For what it's Worth - Rikks views on episode 4!

No one eliminated, but 2 go next week, and I have a feeling it will be two women!! Keep reading to find out who!!

First performer - Matt Lindahl, I am so glad the email I got was changed, I was told by his Dad (I Think) he was going to do something serious, "Jump Off The Bridge" this was an amazing song!  Billy, lighten up my friend, and don't sweat it, it's not all about the airplay, there are many songs on many CDs that don't get airplay! Sometimes it is just about having fun, and this was awesome, Way to go Matt, not the best of the night, but your best so far!!

Jennifer Hicks - Proved to me tonight she really has something special, best of the females who performed hands down! "Lost in the magic of you" could be a big hit for her, easily!! I loved her oink guitar and her new hairstyle too!!

George Canyon - Good Day To Ride, a song with many meanings I noticed before tonight, and he gave it another one. George continues to wow me, but some really good competition tonight, he was still amazing! George Canyon will sell a bunch of records, based on last night, I do love that song, but it was not the best of the night and if I had just started watching last night, "Good Day To Ride" would not have made him my #1 Choice, however over the last weeks which I base everything on a total package and how they never fail to deliver the goods, he has had it since day 1 and is still my first choice.

Sheila Marshall - Shoulda Said That.... Sorry, she has kind of a country Mellissa Etheridge thing happening, and that's not bad, but this was the weakest performance of the night. Yeah I said she reminded me of a country Mellissa Etheridge. She has that quality in her voice, would I buy her album after hearing that one song, absolutely NOT!  The songwriting was immature and I believe songwriting can come from the heart, but express feelings in your songs and not emotions (yes there is a difference) and you will do much better. And, NO I did not say nor do I think Mellissa Etheridge would ever record that song, that is not what I said. I think she will be taking the walk next week.

Brent Keith - "The Cold Lonesome Sound"
Made a believer out of me in the end, but the beginning was weak, I really like the energy of the song, the feel was awesome, but he didn't really have it until the end.

Marty Slayton - "Just About Every Night"
I love her voice, I would not however go and see her in concert. When I see a performer, I don't want to have to say "If you don't look at her it was really good, but that is what she has done every week. I'd buy her album in a second, but I would not pay 10 cents to see a live show, no personality there. After watching her performance again, I must say it did NOTHING for me. If I heard her on radio I would probably think about buying her CD, but I would NEVER pay money to watch a statue sing at me and not to me.

Lance Miller "Beer's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore" Wow, this song ahs hit all over it. Lance also showed me he is a great performer tonight, I was wowed and I really truly thought this was one of the best performances of the night, his best so far easily! Lance, Love this guy, he proved to me what I was seeing in the background and brought his true self last night, he will be a star no matter what happens with the show.

Brad Cotter - "I Miss Me" No problem the best song of the night! I liked him, I liked it toned down and with the piano, very nice song, awesome as a matter of fact! This song would be a hit anywhere. Brad has a natural stage presence that shined through tonight! Way to go, I finally believe in you!  Yes my simple choice for overall best song and performance, the song has wide-scale appeal and would do extremely well!

So, it's like this, if it were based on tonight only, Brad is my pick, but based on the total package from week to week, George Canyon is still the main man, followed in third by Lance Miller, who moved way up in the rankings this week, and then Jennifer Hicks.

I loved the show with Montgomery Gentry for the troops, and they all shined there. I can't wait for Willie Nelson next week. That is my take on the originals, and the show overall thus far!!

Week 4 - Originals. This definitely brought out the best....and the worst in the contestants. Keep in mind that the winner needs to be a package of performer, songwriter, entertainer. If there was ever a time to "shine" this was it because this is the chance to show how much of yourself you put into what you do and how well you critique yourself. There is no "free pass: for picking a bad song in this part of the competition. This was THE best night of Nashville Star2. Period! And I think it brought the cream to the top. By the end of the show I was sold on George, Lance, Jennifer and Brad. If something doesn't change my mind these are my picks for the four who will be standing together in the next few weeks.

The show started with Jennifer Hicks and she sang a song that definitely meant a lot to her. Her performance was not great, just good,  but that is something that is improving week after week. She is getting more confidence in herself and what she is capable of, and it shows. Her original song fit her like glove and I really enjoyed it. I still want to see her get outside of her comfort zone. If she really wants to win, she needs a "standing ovation" performance. Its the only way she is going to get into the top 3. She is still the strongest of all the women in the competition. I will not be suprised if she gets picked up by a label even if she doesn't win NS2.

Matt Lindahl has talent and stage presence. I cant argue that. I'm sure there are many that will disagree with me on this but he needs to drop the hat, the overalls and the yodeling and come out and do something serious. It doesn't have to be heavy but something other than what he is doing every show. The fact that he can do some light stuff and comedy and get the crowd started is fine. But its not enough. He is looking more and more to me like a one trick pony. Is he capable of doing this? Yes, I think he is but he needs to come out and show me and the rest of the viewing audience.

George Canyon sang a song called "Good day to ride". Being a rider myself I bought into his song.. Hook, line and sinker. Or should I say.. Bridle, Bit and stirrups? It wasn't his best song but it was good and it brought some great imagery to mind. If you couldn't find some deeper meaning in this song then you just weren't paying attention!  He performed it like a professional and he had that "star" quality. He is still my favorite to win. I would love to hear more of his originals and that's a good sign if everyone else is thinking the same.  At the time when he sang this one I though.. Pfft I don't even know if I should watch the rest. Nothing could hold a candle to that. I was pleasantly surprised.

Sheila Marshall was one of my favorites early on but she has been a
disappointment. Her original song was.... well awful. She delivered it well
but the song was just terrible. Want to lose a crowd fast? Go out and sing
something that bad. Remember this was the time to go out and show us what
you can do when you choose your own material. Bad choice! Maybe she needs
someone on her team that isn't scared to hurt her feelings. I see her as one
to get the boot early next show.

Marty Slayton. Dare I say it..... ****yawn**** Boring. She has talent. A great voice, good looks.. But something is missing. She is kind of transparent to me for some reason. Not real, if you know what I mean. And while I'm on the subject... She needs to quit dropping names. I don't care who you know and I'm not impressed. You need to show me what you can do. Not what you can do if you are supported by hundreds of great writers. She is one of my choices to get the boot early next show as well.

Brent Keith started his original weak but finished the song strong. It was a good song but not good enough to win. This guy has tons of talent and I expect to see him go far. I just don't expect him to win NS2. I'm not saying he isn't good or couldn't sell albums. I just think he is being outshined by some of the others. However I still see that he is genuine and has a lot of personal integrity and character. I hope he goes on to make a name for himself in the music industry and if he keeps at it.. he will!

Lance Miller has been one of my favorites. He reminds me of people I know in his voice and mannerisms. He also brings country back to country and I like that about him as well. His original song was fantastic and the presentation was fantastic as well. Would I buy one of his CD's? You bet!! for those that didn't watch the show. His song was "Beers not just for breakfast anymore" and it brought everyone to their feet and the judges were all doing "high fives" during it. Can you ask for more than to get everyone wrapped up in your performance. GREAT WORK Lance!!! Keep it up. At this point I was at the spot of .. wow.. I would hate to have to follow Lance onstage. Whoever comes next is gonna "bite" in comparison. I couldn't have been more wrong!

Brad Cotter.. Last week I said "I don't know what it is but I'm not sold on this guy being a star.. or at least I wasn't and then he comes out and gives a 5 star performance. Talk about improvement in someone. If he continues to improve at this rate he will be a contender for NS2 at the end" I  can see in him now what someone must have seen in him when he was the voted to stay. Brad co-wrote this song that had it all!!  Not only did he help write this but then he came out onstage and gave a performance that will be remembered for time to come. I cannot say enough good things about this. He was comfortable, he drew in the audience, he painted the imagery, he hooked me. He gave THE BEST performance of the night and is now a contender to win!! If he doesn't win I expect he will be signed to a contract. If Nashville doesn't sign him then country music has gone the way of the Dodo bird. Brad is the real deal and I expect to see him standing at the end in the top three if not the top 2.

Regards
GaCowboy

(Rikks Notes : Well stated!)

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Matt Lindahl: "Jump Off The Bridge"
I wish that Matt hadn't shot himself in the foot like this.  Great job
with a funny song -- but the last thing the man needs is one more
odd-ball moment!  If he doesn't get serious in a big sort of way, he
will be leaving soon.

Jennifer Hicks: "Lost In The Magic Of You"
Jennifer showed herself to be the best of the women tonight.  Good song,
good voice, good looks make for a good combination.  But is Good going
to be good enough?  Certainly for now, but not forever.

George Canyon: "Good Day To Ride"
George had his weakest night with a song which would be a neat
counterpoint to George Strait's Cowboys Like Us.  I still don't get how
this connects with the death of his friends' child.

Sheila Marshall: "Shoulda Said This"
Shoulda sung something else.  Sassy song, but a less than stellar
delivery.  It as as if she just decided Friday night to switch to this
song.

Brent Keith: "Cold Lonesome Sound"
Unlike some, I liked this song.  If it had been matched with a little
stronger performance, he could have been the second best of the night,
behind Brad.

Marty Slayton: "Just About Every Night"
Better presence, but weaker song.  Marty looked the part of a country
star, but was hindered by the weak song choice.  If she gets a label, I
hope they fight to keep this song off the CD.  And I have to ask -- when
will she take out a restraining order against the lecherous Warren Brothers.

Lance Miller: "Beer's Just Not For Breakfast Anymore"
Great song -- except for the fact that I could hear the sphincter of
every MADD member in the US tighten just a bit on that chorus.  The
times they have  a'changed, Brad my boy, and that song isn't politically
correct enough for a world of "Recovery chic" and .08 DUI.  
Well-delivered, too.

Brad Cotter: "I Miss Me"
We need more country keyboards (more steel guitars are the only thing we
need more of), and Brad fits the bill.  He could become America's
favorite again, if George slips again and Brad turns in another
performance like tonight.

Greg
Seabrook, TX

(Rikks Notes : I hope this guy doesn't have a gun )

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I was so happy to see everyone of the contestants step it up this week!

Matt very unique. I wouldn't compare him to Roger Miller, yet though. I
couldn't understand all the words to the song. I thing I'm also not feeling
the charm a lot of folks feel with him. I'd definitely pay to see him.

Hicks- This was a much better, softer look for her tonight. The song fit her
voice. I thought the song was predictable and a little boring. But she's the
best of the remaining women.

Canyon- Had been way ahead of the pack until tonight. I've heard clips of
this song that I liked better than his performance last night. He tried to
interact with the audience.. he does have a great stage presence, and really
looks the part of a Nashville Star. His voice just didn't seem as "perfect"
to me last night...but maybe that's because all the other competitors
stepped up their performances?

Marshall- Looked like she was trying too hard- kind of reminded me of a
Beauty Pageant Contestant singing a song for the talent part of the contest.
Not much of a song. She does have a good voice.

Keith- song was not very original, seemed like an amateur effort. The song
did show off his voice- I really like his voice.
This guy has lots of potential, but several here are a bit further along
toward the total package.

Marty- Not excited about her song or her performance.

Lance- Great Song- even I was singing along and I HATE Beer songs. Looked
more comfortable on stage tonight. I think we're finally getting to see the
real Lance everyone keeps talking about.

Brad- Best song, I agree. I'm trying to figure out how he played keyboard
while still interacting with the audience. Liked the package. His voice
sounded very pure tonight. I would like to see more of his work.

Here's how I see it- just on tonite's performance: Brad, George,
Lance, Keith, Hicks, Lindahl, Marty and Marshall.

It was a great show!

Please let's see more of their original stuff- they are all better doing
originals.

-Donna

(Rikks note : Hey, I was accused of being nice this week  )

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My opinion on Nashville Star 2 is that there is a lot of great talent!  The
only one I do not care for it Matt Lindahl I don't see him having any
chance of being a star.

My favorites are Jennifer Hicks and Marty Slayton.  I think that once they
perform their original songs next Saturday they will truly outshine the
competition.

I feel that the best male performer at this time is George Canyon.  He has a
super voice and has a great chance at being the next George Strait or George
Jones.

-Brian

( Rikks Notes: George Canyon, EH? )

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I have met everyone competing even before I heard them perform. My favorites are George Canyon, Lance Miller and Brent Keith.

I think country music needs not only someone who can perform, but someone who will remember if it wasn't for their fans, they wouldn't have gotten where they are. Also something else that is important, someone who actual believes in the charities they are supporting verse using them as a way to get publicity.

George, Lance and Brent are that and I think will be a true asset to country music!

Kim Watson

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Alright, for starters, I am disappointed in NS2. I anticipated it for several months now. Last years show was entertaining, family-oriented (for the most part excluding episodes where we got the full blown view of the poster child for passive/aggressive behavior, Kentucky's own Brandi Gibson. She really got to be annoying. But for the most part, the show had a nice flow to it, easy on the eyes and ears.

 Nancy O'Dell seemed quite the classy lady and was in my opinion a good host. Buddy, JAM and Miranda added integrity.   When I rewatch my videos from last season, I enjoy them all over again.    

Now comes the new season! Yuck!! I felt from the beginning there was no flow to the thing, Like a car that was not hitting on all cylinders. It is choppy at best. And it was no surprise to me that the voting got messed up last Saturday night. Just seems things are going from bad to worse.    

For one thing, the Warren Bros. really ought to be kicked off. There brand of humor is giving country music a black eye. They are NOT funny, just insulting and hurtful. The little snips they made to George and Mal last Saturday were inexcusable. Where is their mother? These boys need to sit in time out and learn how to play nicer where peoples feelings are being stepped on! 

Tracey needs to use some new language. We are only in the first few rounds and she is using a lot of old material. The DJ just isn't. Don't know what to say about him. And Nancy who is dressing you, girlfriend? (Rikks note: At least it's not all Beige this year!) Lil' Abner? Is someone trying to say we country folk ENJOY all that leg and thigh? She is the host of a talent show, not a table dancer, come on! She is a beautiful gracious woman. Let's see it! 

If things don't make a turn around, I fear no one will be tuning in to NS3!      I think it was you who asked us to review a few of the contestants websites. Marty's is probably the slickest. I could never get into Jennifer's. Brad's bored me, nothing really there. Brent's was colorful but when I got to the shopping page and had to decide which one of the five dozen styles of shirts I wanted, well, I had enough. Lance is just a country boy and it shows, even in his website." George's is interesting and has some nice pics of him. I could not get his music to play but I will go back and try again. Matt's was my favorite. It completely fits his personality and is very user friendly. If you contact Matt, Matt replies, not just some webmaster or fan club helper. I enjoyed Mal's too, informative and gave me warm fuzzy feelings about the guy. 

What do I think about judge's choices so far?  I think it is all too political this year. AND. I think they have not been on the money at all. Who am I to say? Well, not a record exec or a DJ or a performer- I am the one who pays their salaries!!! I am the LISTENER, the CONCERT GOER, the FAN, the MUSIC BUYER!! Yeah, I think my opinion counts!! The judges were too quick to let Gregory go. She should have been in the top 5. She needed a little more time to get to where she was headed. I don't think any of the other women have their own sound at all.      

I do not understand why Brad was voted out in the first place but I am glad he is back. Mal did not have what it takes but I wanted to see a little more of him. He was really treated badly by the Warren Bros. and for no good reason. 

I do have to agree with the DJ about Lance. His last critiquing was almost word for word what I was thinking, only I did not mean it in a good way. He has the voice and style of a Midwestern Saturday night live talent honky tonk. He is from Illinois-I am originally from Illinois. I know what I am talking about. He is a dime a dozen there. Actually, I have probably sat around on a Saturday night in the past and listened to him. The judges thought Gregory was dated -give me a break! Don't get me wrong, he is enjoyable to a point, but not a star. (he also has too cocky of an attitude for a wanna be who isn't even there yet.

Jennifer Hicks is too whiney and mousey. It was cute on Miranda but geez she WAS a kid! (I am seeing shades of Brandi's personality a bit too). She sings alright but I just don't see her as star material. 

Sheila is good but as Tracey says and says and  saysssss, she does not stand out in the pack. 

I agree with everyone else about Marty-just can not get out of the back up mode.

 Then there is Pretty Boy. This is going to date me, but, he reminds me of a Hardy Boy!!! I for once agree with the Warrens that he needs to dirty up a bit. He has a good voice but no character. I think he would do a lot better in pop. 

I really like Matt. At this point I have to agree with the judges though. He would make a good opening act. He has a lot of talent and could be a star, but not yet and I can see he is not what NS is looking for. 

George is by far my favorite but I have a real concern. It is kind of like Twilight Zone or wait haven't I seen this before? Buddy Jewell 2!!! I don't think NS wants a winner that is so close to the same type as Buddy. Kind of like watching reruns, you know?! I am afraid this is going to hurt him. 

Did I miss anyone? These are the ones that stand out to me. 

Did I miss dissing anyone? 

Oh yeah, one more comment. We were led to believe we were going to see more of Buddy Jewell than we have. I thought he would have a more active part. I also think it would have been cool for him to be a judge.

-Cindy K.

(Rikks note, if you know her it may be a good idea to get on her good side )

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(Rikks notes : Short, but to the point! )

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- JewellFan1

( Rikks Notes - I like that we all have our favorites. I've said, and I've seen it many other places that that is what makes the world go round, you rock )

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"I think if Matt Lindahl is taken seriously, he has potential to go a long way this season.  I just hope he isn't seen as a novelty, because I think this guy is a breath of fresh air for country music."

- Pattrick W. 

(Rikks notes - )

Rikks Final thought, if you are offended because someone doesn't like your favorite Star, as long as they are not completely offensive, I print them as they are sent, so don't blame me!