CMT Blog: Melissa Lawson

I watched several episodes of this season’s Nashville Star and I have to say my favorite moments, other than the ones involving heated exchanges between Jewel and John Rich (I knew I loved her), were hands down when Melissa Lawson took the stage. It was so nice to see this talent and I should mention, a mother of five, accomplish her ultimate dream. Though I’m not a mother myself, I know from watching my own that being a mom is quite the responsibility. With a focus ultimately on her children and family, it’s easy for a mother’s individual goals and dreams to become a distant daydream. So I’m truly happy for Melissa Lawson. She seems like a genuine spirit with a voice that undoubtedly outshone her competition.

A bright, shiny six-pack of new videos was served up to the CMT video evaluation team this week. And they were all as different as could be from each other. There was a little bit of everything: an island mini-sermon, a white trash ho, a barroom descent straight to jail, A Star Is Born variation and more. Let’s talk videos.

Artist: Kenny Chesney
Video: “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”
Director: Shaun Silva

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I hate to brag, but back in June, I knew Melissa Lawson would win Nashville Star . And she did. Her voice cut through the mediocrity and filled up that stage with pure, raw, deep vocal talent. So I thank John Rich, Jeffrey Steele, Jewel and the other 5 million viewers who voted for her. For seeing past the fact that Lawson isn’t pencil-thin and blond. This was not a beauty contest, after all. It was a singing contest, and it was really no contest.

Melissa Lawson is the latest winner of Nashville Star, and she’s already vying for a spot at country radio with “What If It All Goes Right.” It’s an uptempo song about making the tough choices, even if there’s a chance it won’t work out. Like, auditioning for a reality show, for example. Or being a mother of five and jumping into a more-than-full-time career in country music. Listen to the new song.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Keith Urban’s in-laws arrived in Nashville over the weekend to help the baby make her debut. And now that daughter Sunday Rose has arrived, Urban will likely give wife Nicole Kidman the $73,000 Cartier ring he reportedly bought her.

The Houston Chronicle is proud of Texans Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson, two contestants on this season’s Nashville Star.

Before she cheats? Joe (we don’t even know his last name), the R&B singer, has a new video taking on Carrie Underwood’s smash cheatin’ song with lyrics more suited to the male perspective.

In other cover-song news, Everlast mixes it up with the man in black in this new video for “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Another pop songstress heads to Nashville to make a country album. Brandi Carlile is recording her next effort at Blackbird Studio, owned by Martina McBride’s husband John.

If you ever wonder who comes up with the sponsorship deals between artists and brands, meet the middleman: Marcie Allen Cardwell.

Bon Jovi’s latest effort isn’t full-on country album. It’s just a Nashville album. Whatever than means.

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. Read more…