Nashville Star, Episode 5: This Is My Song

The cuts have come fast and furious, cold and cruel. There were 12 at the beginning and now there are only seven... about to be six. It’s that part of the program when the eliminations will be heartbreaking, no matter who it is.

Saying goodbye to Tasha was hard enough. Last week, saying goodbye to Prentiss Varnon and Travis Howard was even harder. As Travis and Prentiss came back to retrieve their stuff, tearful farewells were shared. Buddy says to Travis, “I never thought I cry over you leaving, but you got me!” John Arthur shares that watching Travis walk off the stage may have been the hardest thing he’s ever done. Melinda just sobs. Over dinner, Brandon, ever the mathematician, says that after this week, there will be as many gone as are left. There is the matter of the next cut.

Last week I placed the bottom three as Brandi Gibson, Amy Chappell, and Prentiss Varnon. Prentiss was (rightly) dismissed by judges’ decision. Now America speaks up. The viewing public shook Nashville by dismissing Travis Howard last week. Are there more surprises in store?

Nancy Odell welcomes us. I’ve learned Nancy was not the first choice to host the show, but giving credit where it’s due, she’s personable and as excited as a fan. Quick with the kudos, or the hankies, as appropriate, she’s made her own place on Nashville Star. She’s a delight.

Nancy reminds us the last picture we see will be of the contestant who received the lowest votes. The seven survivors watch warily as the Nashville Star theme plays and the pictures flash. The flashing stops at the Nashville Star logo, slow dissolve to reveal the eliminated contestant, per America, is... Jamey Garner!

Oh, come on now! America, what are you doing? (Look, Nashville Star is on Saturday night and I have a social life, so it is rare that I see it live. As I was driving home and reflecting on last week’s performance, the only things I was sure of was that it wouldn’t be Buddy and it wouldn’t be Jamey going home. I’ll be damned.)

The contestants react like an anvil dropped on the stage! Amy covers her mouth, shocked. Miranda turns her back to the stage trying to compose herself, poor Buddy is slack-jawed. Jamey is shocked too, but classily, as the crowd boos this announcement, raises his hand to quiet them and says, “This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me!” And proceeds to thank a thousand people in about five seconds. Nancy consoles him with a kiss on the cheek as the crowd and the judges give him a standing ovation. Jamey takes that long walk across the stage, but not before John Arthur hugs him like a brother.

You have not heard the last of him, trust me. I have never, ever, seen somebody set flames to a harmonica like him.

Nancy again welcomes the military families from Ft. Campbell, KY.

Nancy introduces special guest Brad Paisley and the sitting panel, Charlie Robison, Robert K. Oermann (Nancy warned him about his language after his s-bomb last week), and Tracy Gershon (have I gotten email about HER! I thought we were past the days when a woman speaking her mind is automatically a bitch! She‘s no Paula Abdul, and that is a good thing).

The performers are all also songwriters, and they get a chance to perform their original material tonight!

Brandi Gibson, “I’m Gonna Make It”

Charlie - “you got better stuff in you... your potential is there”

Robert - (apologizes for cussing in front of her last week) “you’ve the makings of a great songwriter”

Tracy - “got to get more thick-skinned... there is plenty of rejection in Nashville, you’ve got to take it!”

Sting7 - Tracy is referring to Brandi’s penchant for crying and her defensiveness last week with some harsh criticism. Tracy is correct, and tonight Brandi shows some toughness. She needed to. Brandi’s vocals are off tonight, she seems out of breath and out of control of her instrument. Her song, is, well, a bit amateurish, performed with conviction, but there is something kind of Somgwriting 101 about it. I have a feeling it’s a good thing the judges’ cuts are over.

Buddy Jewell, “Lacey’s Song”

Charlie - “I’ve been a daddy for four and half months, so you got me!”

Robert - “I liked ‘Abilene’ (another of Buddy’s originals) better!” (crowd boos)

Tracy - “I don’t have a lighter, so here’s the best I can do” (lights match!)

Sting7 - Buddy’s song was inspired by a conversation he had with his daughter about what Heaven is like, and it is beautiful! As songs go, it can use a little touching up before recording, but the heart of the song is a winner. Buddy seemed a bit emotional as he was performing, didn’t lilt us with that amazing voice as he usually does, but with his daughter in the audience, we can understand why.

Nancy Odell pops in to remind us that Nashville Star will have a new time starting next week; 10:00 Eastern time, that’s one hour later than now!

Brad Paisley says they “really know how to throw a party!” (sigh)