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Nashville Star - 2nd Episode
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Acuff Theatre
Nashville, TN
3/08/2005
By: Lindsey M. Keen
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Nashville Star is a reality show on the USA Network where ten contestants compete by performing songs all the while being judged as the nation votes to eliminate someone at the end of each episode. The grand prize winner will receive a recording contract from Universal South Records. Think American Idol for the Country fans.
As many of you know, I was on a music based reality show called On The Road this past summer. So needless to say, I was once in those contestants' shoes or should I say cowboy boots! But like any other reality show, someone pukes, cries and goes home.
On the debut episode, which premiered on TV March 1st, contestant Jenny Farrel, 35, from Albuquerque, NM, ran off stage after singing her first verse only to throw up in a trash can. Rumor has it that she was battling the flu, some seem to believe stage fright. In her defense I must add that she once toured as the opener for Country legend George Jones.
The first contestant who was chosen to stay was Jody Evans, 28, from Donaldson, AR - a police officer by day and Rockabilly singer by night. His song choice was Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Bret Michaels, Nashville Star's trash-talking version of Simon Crowell, said "I don't want to see you end up in a lounge. Elvis and Buddy Holly have already been done." The second judge, country record executive Anastasia Brown said, "Don't wear your heroes on your sleeve." Ouch!
Show host LeAnn Rimes announced the second lucky contestant, Tamika Tyler, 33, from Coffs Harbour, Australia, who relocated to Colorado with her husband after having a successful singing career down under. She performed Jo Dee Messina's "I'm Alright," with the voice of a songbird that's been sitting on a branch outside the window of soprano Country vocalist Martina Mc Bride. Again, Bret Michaels (hard to please) drills, "Bring me every bit of your heart and soul. Make the hair on my arm stand up." This little tidy is coming from Poison's front man who sang the jaw dropping hit "Talk Dirty To Me," with his impressive five-note vocal range. The third judge, Country star Phil Vassar cried out, "You're my favorite singer in this competition!" And personally I have to agree with Phil on this one; she's got what it takes to win.
The show moved through 6 more contenders until the moment of tears and fears had arrived. LeAnn stood on stage next to Jenny and 19-year old Brownsboro, TX's Josh Owen (who has been singing since he was 5 and appeared on Star Search and The Aresenio Hall Show). When she finally announced who was packing their bags and headed home. LeAnn paused, turned to the challengers and told Josh that he was eliminated.
After the show ended, I ran back stage to talk to Josh. I found him and asked, "How does it feel to be eliminated?"
"I kind of saw it coming," he said and then makes the comment, "I'm a Texan. There are some Texans that hate some things [new recording artist's material] that are coming out of Nashville." Sounds like Josh is a little upset, but at least his eye-liner (stage make-up) wasn't running.
Another reality show hits the air and another contestant goes home. Who's next? It's left to the American viewers to decide.
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