Nashville Star: Trace Adkins Is a Tough Act to Follow
An hour into Monday night’s (June 16) Nashville Star, Trace Adkins performed “You’re Gonna Miss This.” It wasn’t perfect, but it still gave everyone something to shoot for. It was a pivotal point in the show. The one where all the mediocrity that came before Adkins disappeared to make room for all the brilliance that would come after. And her name is Melissa Lawson.
I usually feign complete boredom with these staged talent shows and bitch about artists needing to pay their dues the old fashioned way. But the minute someone like Lawson opens her mouth, I’m texting my vote like a teenage girl. While the other 10 finalists performed, I found myself thinking things like “That’s a cute top. I wonder if she got it at Anthropologie.” Or “What is that tattooed on Jeffrey Steele’s knuckles?” But when Lawson started singing, all kinds of things ran through my head that were actually about the music. Like how on earth she could out-belt Aretha Franklin on “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman).” Or how bummed I was when the song was over. Even the judges had to stretch to criticize her.
Jewel told her she was a little thin on the high notes, John Rich told her she looked like she was acting, and Steele told her to aim higher. Their comments were met with incessant booing, both from the studio audience and everyone in my family room.
Melissa Lawson can flat-out sing better than anyone judging her and is way more of a natural on stage than host Billy Ray Cyrus (who, by the way, said his lines as if he was being forced to do so at gunpoint or like he was the host of Saturday Night Live’s old sketch, The Chris Farley Show.). My prediction is that Lawson will win. And that if she doesn’t, that she will follow in Miranda Lambert’s kerosene-soaked footsteps.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Kim says:
I agree. By far the best performance of the night, not that that’s saying much. I hope she sticks around for a while.
Chris N. says:
Does she know any country songs?
Mike says:
Based on the 1st 2 weeks, there’s little doubt as to her singing ability. However, in the real world, image plays a large part in terms of separating the haves from the have-nots. That’s reflected in the fact that based on the public vote, Melissa was in the bottom 2 last night, that close to being eliminated. Unfortunately, I would be shocked if she’s still standing at the end.
Juliet_ says:
Sorry - even though I agree she’s got the makings of a GREAT singer, she didn’t hit the mark last night like she did last week…though as you rightly point out, who WOULD if they had to follow a ‘real pro performance’ by Trace Adkins?! AND be wondering at the same time if you were the one already eliminated that week?! It would be hard to deliver one’s personal best under those conditions. I really think they should re-think that aspect of the show.
FYI the initials tatooed on JS’s knuckles are those of his children (left hand) and the name of his late son (right hand). But don’t ask me what Billy Ray has tattooed on his right arm ’cause I’m clueless!!!
Mary in Texas says:
I cant beleive Mellisa was in the bottom 2. She is one of the best singers on that show. Get ready She is in this to win, and I know she can belt out those notes.I have been making music with Mellisa Lawson for over 16 years. I know she can do this. The song choices is what she really needs to watch.Were all praying for her and we know She will go far.The judges on that show need to clean their act up a little. Were proud of Mellisa and I know she will step it up this week! Mary Magee Arlington Texas
kayefun says:
Hi Alison: You are brave to point a direction of winning on Nashville Star so soon. I do agree Melissa has a terrific voice and I like her. There’s a few others I really like too, especially that Gabe Garcia.
I am ‘clueless’ to who I think is gonna win yet and then there is that American vote thing factor which is sometimes more popularity than talent going on. It tends to blow my picks off course or off the show thing.
Next Monday, I think they said is gonna be ‘Pop Goes The Country’ night which means contestants pick ‘pop’ songs to be done their own ‘country’ style. Uh-Oh - I’m not sure ‘country’ fans are going to be real satisfied depending on how that whole thing goes.
Tammy says:
Melissa has the best voice on the show. I was shocked she was in the bottom 2. If the people who watched actually listened rather than look, there would be no competition. I believe she was judged by the people on her appearance and not her talent, hence the bottom 2. A good friend of mine voted for the model guy (sorry, can’t remember his name) and admitted it was because he was cute. Give me a break! I am disappointed in this years talent. Last year was awesome and I can’t believe most of those chosen this year are the best Nashville has to offer. I like Gabe too. He is the ONLY real country sounding singer on there.
gloria testa says:
Evidently you have not been a follower of billy ray for long. He is a sincere person and believes in what he does. He has said that he would not be the best host ever, but I was thrilled to hear he was undertaking the job. I have been a fan of billy ray’s since his song of “Some gave all”. Great job Billy Ray - everyone knows there are time limits and you are treating the contestants with much pride.
abby a. says:
melissa blew everyone away last night!
y’all haven’t seen anything yet. melissa and i go to the same church. she’s incredible…!! keep voting…she deserves this!
-abby
Heidi says:
Why are so many of the contestants singing non-country songs already? “kayefun” says next week will be this “Pop Goes The Country” format - half the songs have been like that already! I don’t like it. This is a Country music competition - let’s hear some country music!
Rita in Tennessee says:
This is for Melissa, I think she’s great and I hope she will win. Melissa if you’re reading this what about songs
like JOLENE/ HARPER VALLEY PTA/ BREATHE/ I HOPE YOU DANCE
I think you need to do a variety of songs to impress people even more. Keep up the good work.
Rita
Shaun says:
Melissa’s abilities kind of remind me of the beginnings of what Wynonna Judd offered. Over time, and work she will only get better and stronger. I just hope that no one ever discourages some of these talented individuals. Most of the contestants have wonderful tones, and natural ability. Stage presence is something that everyone that sings has to work on. No matter how many years they have been singing! My kudos go to all who make that leap of faith to try to get into the country music industry.
Roger says:
all you really need to know about how much of a farce this show is in this email that was circulated in nashville last month:
URGENT CASTING NOTICE!
NBC, 495 Productions, and Doron Ofir Casting are searching for a male country singer between the ages of 16 and 23 years old with teen heart-throb good looks. Think a country music Zac Ephron or young Brad Pitt.
This is for immediate inclusion in “Nashville Star” on NBC. Talent will be flown to Nashville this week and be included in the cast.
Must be unsigned, but management will maintain full management rights.
Please respond to this email with any potential talent or call my cell to pitch. This has an extremely short turn around time.
Will cast by no later than Wednesday, April 16th.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hayden
Doron Ofir Casting
Marian says:
Melissa is incredible. I hope people keep voting for her. She has the best voice on the show by far and needs a chance to prove herself. Prayin’ hard.
Marian
Juliet_ says:
WOW!! Thank you, Roger, for blowing the lid off THAT…and here was i wondering whether it was just me who noticed that the gorgeous model has no more singing talent than your average coffee-shop open mic night?!
SHAME on NBC for this!! The judges should have been the ones to select from all those contestants - not just from the PRE-selected ones. That way, this would not have happened. It brings the integrity of the show low.
Vicki says:
Yeah this show was rigged with the young, the beautiful, the good and the ..well, non talented which unfortunately hits many of them.
Yeah I agree with the above comments: When is “Coffey” going to sing country? When is Melissa going to sing country? Now we have a pop night? Half the songs were pop! I don’t know if I can stomach a night of bad pop music.
Leah says:
Do any of the performers on this show know country music? I have yet to hear something that would pass in Nashville!
LORRAINE says:
I THINK MELISA GOT A BUM RAP. ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD NOT PERFORM WELL UNDER THAT STRESS. DURING THE WHOLE SHOW I KEPT EXPECTING THEM TO CALL HER NAME BECAUSE SHE WAS AWESOME LAST WEEK, BUT THEY DIDN’T SHE WAS IN THE BOTTOM TWO. COME ON PEOPLE SHE HAS TALENT ON TOP OF GUSTO. THERE WAS OTHER PERFORMERS THAT DESERVED TO HAVE ONE OF THE BOTTOM SPOTS BUT IT HELPS WHEN YOU HAVE AN IDEAL IMAGE OR YOUR A CUTIE.
bob says:
Not meaning to hijack the thread here, but there’s nowhere to put my comment, so I’ll just put it here. I love country music, it’s character, and the fact that Country is very diverse in style. I’m a Tennessee native, so country is part of who I am.
But I have a gripe, and that is that CMT’s programming is outright AWFUL. What I mean by this is that I can’t help but feel that a large amount of the content is hand-me-down junk. Every single night that I sit down to eat dinner, it seems that the ONLY thing on CMT is one of those parent swap shows. Either that or Nanny 911. Neither of these shows were real dead-ringers even when they were new, yet CMT feels that we have to watch them as much as possible.These shows were never very good, yet they get played as if they’re the only thing remotely decent CMT can get their hands on.A few of your shows are knock-offs of others, yet done poorly. Trick my truck simply doesn’t work at all because the “documentary” aspect of it is so incredibly fake that it lacks credibility. Not only that, but the play-documentary acting is awful, which only ads insult to injury.Viewers would much rather simply watch people build stuff and talk about how they are doing it- not watch people pretend to be “surprised” when a crew of guys come to fix up their truck.
But to give you credit,some of the shows are actually very good. Shows like “My redneck wedding” are fantastic and very original. Why not produce a myriad of shows along this vein? Why not add old classics like the Andy Griffith show, Green Acres? How about other random things like Lawnmower racing, hairdressing drama,Farming challenges, or other shows that focus on aspects of country living? If your primary audience are in fact rural, or at least like aspects of rural living, then why not more carefully cater to their tastes? Shows like Hee-Haw proved that you can easily win a niche audience by remaining true to the subject. Water it down and it simply doesn’t work.
What I’m getting at is that I feel that programming as of now misses the mark entirely, whether it be scheduling, content, or properly targeted content.Something is way off, and every time I tune in, more often then not, I change the channel because there’s seldom anything on that’s worth watching.
The movies CMT plays also tend to be low level, barrel scraping throwaways: loads of second rate Clint Eastwood movies.
On top of that… where’s the music? Isn’t it supposed to be Country Music Television? You hardly ever see any actual music on the network period. Maybe on weekends, but seemingly at no other time. Additionally, while there’s loads of news about such greats as Sam Bush, Tim Obrien, and other independent artists on this site, they hardly ever get showcased on the network over the same top 5 artists. This music is very diverse. There’s only so much Cary Underwood we care to hear.I feel that the musical selection matches most pop-country music stations, which is to say that the play list is very… limited. Surely more can be done to showcase the many faces of country music.
I can’t help but feel that while CMT looks very polished that the contents are fairly weak. Step it up a bit, mix up the shows, and stop buying secondhand copies. Let’s make CMT a truly great network.
Anyhow, I’m trying to be helpful here and merely giving you my two cents worth in regards to what I think would make a better network to watch for people like myself who are of the rural mindset.
Vicki says:
I agree for the most part, Bob. A couple of shows that were good was “Can you Duet?” and that show with the pop people and John Rich that escapes me. But I too, settle down and flip the channels in the evening and get crap on CMT. It’s always a pass. I go to the “other channel” most of the time and see quality country programming there.
Leah says:
Here here Bob!!!! I totally agree.
Roz says:
Melissa is by far the best on the show and I voted for her a zillion times this week. They give you two hours after the show and if you wait until the second hour, there’s no busy signal. Wait a minute, maybe that’s a bad sign for Melissa! Hope not!!!
I enjoy some of the shows on CMT, especially the “Top 20 Video Countdown” and I loved “Can You Duet” (congrats to Caitlin & Will!), but during prime time, I agree, the programming is not the best.
Genette says:
I think melissa lawson was great on nasville star because i am a pul size girl and she let me know that ther is hope for us too to acopmlish any dream we may have such as being a country singer or meet our favorite arist in person such as keith urban thanks maybe my dream to do both will come true
Russ says:
I tried out for Nashville star 3 years ago or so, the season after Buddy Jewel won. I made it through the first round, then drove to Atlanta for a second audition. In Atlanta the “people” who selected the “talent” were all from California, I think this was after “MTV” took over “CMT” I heard one staff member say they were looking for “Younger” artist, after Buddy Jewel, who I think was 45 years old when he won, they started wanting to be more like “American Idol”, big mistake. I have been around country music all my life, I have toured with some of the great artist in “country music” I also worked with Stan Hitchcock(the founder of CMT) This was not his vision. The point is, unless the judges who have musical experience are truly “Judging” your getting who was picked based on
“coolness”,what the “younger audience wants” the leftovers is what you have to pick and judge from. You (viewers)really are not even getting to see some of the incredible talent Nashville has to offer. They mite go after the younger crowd, but there is a reason there are thousands of radio stations who’s format is “Country Gold” the market is out there, these guys are just missing the mark and turning what could have been a great opportunity for performers, into a teeny bop, watered down American Idol popularity contest, that is why you guys are so blown away with one persons singing ability, when it should “really” be hard to choose because the competition has some true country talent. Instead you get a little eye candy and if your lucky one good singer, and zero “artists”.
bob says:
Amen to that Russ. I listen to a local radio station in Knoxville that has a daily live show. They play people who I’ve never heard of, and more often than not, they’re really good musicians and singers. It irritates the hell out of me that today’s “pop country” is so limited. Half if it isn’t what I’d actually call Country. Perhaps the fact that MTV took over CMT has something to do with this whole generic transformation. If you look at some of the old greats- Loretta Lyn, Little Jimmie Dickens, Bob Wills, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and the man himself- Johnny Cash, they all had real character, originality, talent, and staying power. Of course some had some problems, but it only made them more human. The artists I hear today are completely packaged products.
roberta woodard says:
how can I find more music from Joey & Rory? I really enjoyed Can U Duet. I also liked Nashville Star and Mellisa is great.
lindy says:
Wow! Some great comments here. First off, I can’t believe the lack of real talent on Nashville Star this season. The only winner I’ve really liked is Buddy Jewel. Miranda didn’t win but should have. Living in the Nashville area, I have heard about artists getting phone calls to come down and “audition”. Its just not fair. I also know of three amazing artists who auditioned this season and each of them could have blown away the contestants now. I really think they want very unpolished performers so they can show a progression of improvement. The unsigned artists in Nashville are very polished, because they play out every week for a few years trying to get a deal.
If I had to pick a winner right now I would pick Melissa. I’d like to hear her sing a little more country. I’d also like to see the judges leave their egos at the door. When Jeff talks, John always interrupts him; John insulted Jewel, and Jewel seems to like to hear herself talk. If John mentions the horrendous Taylor Swift once more, I’m changing the channel. And finally, why has everyone been singing pop songs? I don’t get it. The show has just been kind of boring.
Bob, you’re so right about the programming on CMT. They just help to perpetuate the negative stereotype about country music. And their message board: you aren’t allowed to post anything negative. I made a comment about Taylor Swift’s horrible performance on the awards show and they deleted it. Let’s be honest here.
Cindy says:
I am sooo disappointed in Nashville Star this year…I think the biggest mistake was having Billy Ray Cyrus host it, he is soooo boring. Although I love John Rich’s music I don’t like him at all as a judge, and Lindy you are right, Jewel loves to hear herself talk. I think they should bring back the original judges, and have Jewel host again. I live in New Jersey, and we don’t have any country music stations here, I get my daily dose from CMT, I don’t understand, why the format of Nashville Star has changed, why aren’t these contestants singing country songs??? I think the fact that it’s on NBC this year has a lot to do with the change in the format. I think it has gotten too commercial. I just hope Billy Ray’s just as boring daughter dosen’t make an apperance on the show. As far as the talent on the show, so far my favorites are…Melissa and Gabe.
stacy says:
Nashville Star is produced by Los Angeles Ca producers and lots of people brought in from there to work on the show. I know there is not a country music radio channel for almost 4 million people in Los Angeles Ca or the surrounding area. I know someone who lives there and the last country radio station went off the air almost 2 years ago. Hummm…… Think about it?
natalie says:
stacy- that is way not true. i listen to 105.1 every single day, and it is absolutely a country radio station, and i live in los angeles. it reaches from LA to orange county all the way out to riverside and san bernardino. and trust me, there is a HUGE country demographic here. its just all in the suburbs!
kayefun says:
Now Alison, where the heck is a new blog on last night’s Nashville Star “Pop Goes The Country” - Monday, June 23.
Ooooohhhhhhhhh, there would be SO much to talk about:)
Bob Fly says:
Nashville Star, now THERE’S something original. What a bunch of hoots and SURE ’nuff a bunch of NO TALENTS!!!
Especially that John Rich! Should’ve stayed with LoneStar, you could be the singer now!!!
I’d rather watch FOX news!
ANN says:
Trace’s voice is just that sweet honkytok spirit that molded country music into what it is today, I counldnt have been happier when I heard he was going to be on Nashville Star!
katie m says:
Melissa Lawson is gifted. I have heard her sing live a few times and each time she gives me chill bumps when she sings.
Arlington, Texas is proud of Melissa. She could win this thing hands down. What is wrong with the voting public to have her in the bottom two?
lori hanson says:
i have been watching NS since it began this season— i don’t watch this kind of show normally–just was flipping thru the channels–melissa lawson caught my ear !! she is absolutely the best they have on the show.. she is the only one i vote for… she is a tremendous talent that needs to be signed whether she wins or not…heard jeffery tell pearl heart tonite that they know where his studio is…..mmm…even tho they were voted off…melissa seems to be a very dedicated person no matter what she is doing-being singer or mom..also-it doesn’t matter if she is a ”plus size” or not, she has talent and i believe what it takes to be a professional performer, regardless of how she appears on the stage at this point..she made me cry every time she sang, because of her raw talent & powerful performance– i was THAT MOVED…i do honestly hope someone ”in the right place” sees this and does something for her, and not let the world{yup} be deprived of her gift..anybody out there that can help her really should..
stamviottet says:
tests time mashine
Polly M. says:
AWESOME LAWSON!!! Melissa Lawson is wonderful! I want to buy her CD’s already. She makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I cry when she sings. She could very well be female vocalist of the year - if given the chance. Someone needs to give her a record deal. She is absolutly beautiful!!
JUST A THOUGHT: could it be the reason she is in the bottom sometimes, is because she is 32 yrs old? What I mean by this is: Everybody I know under 25 is constantly on the phone texting, calling etc. or on the computer. No offense to anyone, but as you go up the age scale 25-35 year olds are not as frequent users, and 35 on up are even less active with the phone and web. Therefore, Melissa’s fans would not be as likely to vote. As opposed to the younger kids on the show - every teeny bopper in the USA is attached to their phone and voting. Just a thought??
I don’t know how fair the show is anyway…it seems they have an idea of what they are looking for.
Once again, Lawson is AWESOME!!!!!
toni says:
You go Malissa, because Lawson is AWESOME! If she does not win she will still go far
Neda says:
Melissa Lawson….YOU GO GIRL! This woman has an awesome voice! I believe that even if she does not win the competition (although I think she should win, hands down) that we will continue to hear her music! Surely, there is a record label that still recognizes real talent!
Gabe, I believe is someone we will continue to hear from as well….still needs some work, but he is good-and, kinda cute ;0)
Sue says:
Melissa Lawson is by far the best on NS. Her voice is so clean and pure and just God sent. Gabe Garcia is very good and I think he should have a record deal. I like Shawn Mayer also; since she switched to Jeffrey Steele, she has really come out of her cocoon. She and John were just not right for each other. That girl can sing. As I said before I am a hard and true Melissa Lawson fan but these two others are good also. Once in a lefetime a voice like Melissa Lawson’s comes along……the last time I heard a voice so clear and easily understable and just pure was a girl from Canada, Ann Murray.
Jennifer says:
I think Melissa is the winner already. Her performance and honesty is exactly what country needs. She’ll eventually develope into her own style of country with a little bit of guidance. I think as far as the judges go, they are doing a great job. They are honest, which is what judging is all about. You tell people your opinion, which won’t always be agreed upon by others. I believe Jeffrey, John, and Jewel have enough credibility to give the advice and opinions that they do. We don’t have to agree with it, we don’t have to like it, but that’s what they get paid for. Otherwise, turn the channel.
rzscqvko kznq says:
vigzrbu jiynf coarw vgld hkvnuxgay hnegzlyrc igwvf
L Flowers says:
Melissa Lawson is a country Nashville Star!!! Congratulations!!! Goes to show you all..votes do count. Can’t wait to buy her music and hear her first radio hit!