Nashville Star, Episode 8: The Top Three Emerge

[Editor’s Note: For those of you wondering where he is, Sting7 is still having computer problems. Meanwhile, we’re happy to have Donna Reynolds sitting in for him.]

After seven weeks and a few surprises, we are down to two guys and two gals. It is no surprise to find Buddy Jewell and John Arthur Martinez still standing. They both deserve to be in the winner’s circle. Miranda Lambert – well, she’s cute as a button and has a great voice and I am not surprised that viewers recognize her potential. However, several others were voted off earlier who might have given her a run for her money. Brandi made it this far on the strength of her fan base and her initial pluckiness and I think she knows this.

The show opens with the four remaining contestants toasting Brandon and then we get a little teaser about their going back to their respective hometowns. The tension is palpable as Nancy appears wearing another of her miniscule skirts – this week it’s black leather. She announces the contestants and one by one, they walk out on the stage – Brandi, John Arthur, Miranda, and finally Buddy. Buddy and John Arthur have definitely stepped it up in the fashion department and Miranda is wearing a brown leather skirt that is twice as long as Nancy’s. Brandi, dressed in black, looks like someone who has been tipped off that she is about to be fired and her face is contorting in a strange manner as she stands along with the others.

Nancy tells us that we will be casting our final and deciding vote. What’s this? I am confused. Three minus one is two – only one can win. What about the final two? Are the judges going to be picking the winner? Nancy doesn’t clarify this and immediately introduces our judges. Tracy is totally hyped up, jumping around in her seat and kissing Robert Oermann. Oh, wow… here’s Rascal Flatts live from their concert tour wishing the finalists well. Buddy is smiling and clapping but the others look preoccupied and deservedly so.

A couple of changes are already apparent. First of all, there is no country star guest. No one mentions this, there just isn’t one. No group song tonight either. Even the military families from Fort Campbell are missing. The audience is a sea of red Buddy signs. Looks like we are getting right down to business.

Okay, it’s time to announce the first performer. Brandi already looks like she’s ready to cry but John Arthur and Buddy are cool as ever. When Miranda’s name is called, Brandi knows it is over for her.

Before we can hear Miranda sing, we get to see her trip back home to Lindale, Texas, a cute little town where everyone knows everyone else and everyone loves Miranda. One woman tells Miranda, “My whole life is built around waiting for Saturday night.” The town is decked out in pink ribbons and the mayor of Lindale declares it “Miranda Lambert Day.” Everyone gushes while Miranda cries and sings and sparkles.

Tonight the finalists are doing two songs in rotation. Miranda’s first song is "Don't it Make You Wanna Dance?" She is relaxed on the stage and her voice is strong. She has a lot more pep tonight than last week and thankfully, the microphone is working better. The song is great for her and she proves she belongs in this elite circle. This is one of her best performances to date.

The judges love her performance and all three simply gush over with love and adoration. This is what this night is all about. Tracy loves that Miranda is 19 and can celebrate the rich heritage of country music (blowing the name of the original artist in the process). Charlie says that she has found her stage presence. Robert tells her whatever happens next week, she has a future in this business.

Miranda tells Nancy that having her own day in Lindale was “pretty cool” and the phone number for people to use to vote for Miranda is displayed on the screen.

Nancy salutes the band and then goes backstage to announce the next performer. She says she is nervous for them and I believe it. No one in this building is more nervous than Brandi, though, and when Nancy reads John Arthur’s name, Brandi starts to cry in earnest, knowing that there is no possibility that Buddy won’t be next. Nancy tries to encourage her but it is seems almost half-hearted.

John Arthur’s hometown of Marble Falls, Texas, honors him with a parade and he gets the key to the city from the mayor. In some of the clips, JA looks downright preppy, wearing a red baseball cap and black glasses. It’s a totally different look for him and one he should remember when he becomes a superstar and needs a disguise. John Arthur sings in front of a crowd and is consistently humble and grateful. He tells us that everyone had high expectations of him and but he had always felt he had let them down because he hadn’t been successful sooner. It is clear that the people in his hometown love this man to death and are having a ball sharing in his success.

John Arthur sings “River of Love” and his performance is flawless. He looks great wearing a black embroidered jacket and jeans, and his face is absolutely radiant. He has definitely taken it up a notch tonight. John is an excellent musician. Of the three finalists, he is the best guitar player in my opinion and the better looking of the two remaining male contestants! John mixes it up singing in both English and Spanish and I don’t care – he could be singing a commercial in Spanish and I would still buy it.

The judges are trying to control their hysteria at this point. Charlie calls John Arthur the “Mexican Marty Robbins.” Robert praises all of John Arthur’s original songs and says that was “just beautiful.” Tracy wishes out loud that she had paid more attention in Spanish class and spills over with, “You are so wonderful!” And they are right. John Arthur Martinez is all of that.

John Arthur tells Nancy that his trip home was incredible and one of the most inspiring things that had ever happened to him. Again, the phone number is given and Nancy warns us that this is it, our last opportunity to vote. I still can’t figure out yet how this is going to be decided.

It is 10:25. Nancy brings Brandi and Buddy out on the stage to announce the evening’s last performer leaving them standing there through a commercial break. So harsh!

We are back and Brandi is barely able to hold it together at this point, literally hanging onto Buddy as though she might crash to the ground if she lets go. Nancy seems as though she doesn’t really want to read the card and stalls by asking the audience to cheer first for Brandi and then for Buddy. Both receive a roar (Buddy’s is slightly louder). Finally, she opens the envelope and surprise, surprise, Buddy is the final performer. Actually, Brandi takes it very well. She looks almost relieved at this point and laughs through her tears, telling Nancy that she didn’t want to cry. Hey Brandi, this is when you should be crying. Nancy praises her efforts and Brandi says she although she really wanted to sing for us tonight, she’ll “settle for fourth.” Then she hugs Miranda and John Arthur and the stage is cleared so that Buddy can do his thing.