Gabe Garcia Thinks That Nashville Star Made The Right Decision

The link attached below hits on an interview with Gabe Garcia. In the interview, Gabe discusses that he thinks the right person won Nashville Star. In addition, he gives a little insider information about the final three . . .

Click the link to read the story . . .

Nashville Star: A Pre-Finale Interview

A few minutes before the Nashville Star Finale, I was emailed an article posted in Reality TV World interviewing John Rich about the final three contestants. I'll post a link at the bottom where you all can read the whole article. Its very interesting to read John Rich's thoughts . . . it is very clear that La Rich is not fond of Shawn Mayer. He is VERY complimentary of both Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson . . . seeming to lean a wee bit more towards Lawson than Garcia . . . however, he stated that they are both talented and would be wonderful to work with . . . Then there are his remarks regarding La Mayer . . . Rich states that while he has seen a noticeable difference in Mayer's attitude and personality, he thinks that she is working with the same amount of talent now as she was at the beginning . . . "she has not gone from terrible to great". Really, really interesting article . . . Click the link to read the whole story.

Nashville Star Finale Tonight!

Tonight, Nashville Star will crown the winner of it's Fifth Season. We are down to three contestants: 1) Melissa Lawson, 2) Gabe Garcia, and 3) Shawn Mayer . . . not that I've ranked these in any particular order . . . er, um . . . anyway . . .

NBC is reporting that they received a "record number of votes" for this final three telecast, and that voting was up "53%" from the previous week. A Side Note Here: I have found it so very sketchy from the beginning that NBC would not release the number of votes they were receiving each week. . . or any information about voting period . . . and, lets not forget that week of the final 6 when they were supposed to go from six to four and then strangely only eliminated one person . . . weird . . . Anyway . . .

Other highlights from tonight's telecast . . . The final three reunite with their eliminated reality family for several performances this evening . . . think Idol finale, cut in half, with a lower budget. Country legend George Jones will perform . . . The BRC will bust out his guitar, but hopefully not his mullet when he croons a tune from his latest CD, and finally, our winner will perform the song written by John Rich as the first single to hit radio tomorrow.

I really hope Nashville Star can pull off a decent finale. I haven't been thrilled with all of the contestants, but there are some good folks here, and I think if they do some major tweaking, they could make this show into something special . . . here's hoping

Click the link to read a full story about the finale posted by RealityWorld

Who Is Going Home And Who Advances To the Finale!

Oh sweet goodness . . . its elimination time . . . its either Coffey or Gabe going to the finale. Here comes BRC's "spine tingling" silence of death . . . Who's a goin home, y'all?

It's Coffey . . . YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! HOLLA!

That means that Gabe Garcia is going to the finale . . . and rightfully so . . .

Taking the stage for his final performance is Gabe Garcia . . . and he is performing a very appropriate countrified male song . . . as per usual, I'm not really sure about the song . . . I think it's called "Living In Fast Forward" . . . I think . . . maybe . . . its Kenny Chesney . . . maybe . . . Anyhoo, he sounds great. He sounds wonderful, as per usual . . . it could have been a bit more upbeat, but, nevertheless, he is country mainstream all day long . . .

Jeff Steele - Thinks he is radio all day long

John Rich - Thinks that he could be very important to country music, and that there is a record deal in his future.

Jewel - thinks he is singing great, and he is not a very "vain singer" . . . there are notes he has not even discovered yet . . .

I'm not a huge country music fan overall, but Gabe Garcia has been a favorite of mine from the beginnning . . .

Overall, a very, very good episode . . . not quite as good as last week, but a very good job by all three finalists . . .

Rankings to follow . . .

Gabe Garcia Is Ready For A Cocktail

Next up in our top 4, Gabe Garcia . . . this really should come down to him and Melissa Lawson; . . . In his home visit, he is given the key to the city . . . I just love him.

Gabe is singin, "Its Five Oclock Somewhere" . . . kind of a non-energetic performance for me . . . vocals were a bit shaky, not my favorite from him. I hope his second one is better . . .

Jeff Steele thinks that he was a bit shaky vocally, and wants the next one to be better

John Rich continues his love affair with Gabe and thinks it was wonderful.

Jewel is glad he got to go home and is looking forward to his next performance.

I think we all have to remember that with this few people watching and voting, placement in the lineup and energetic songs are key . . . hmmmm . . .

That being said, I find the placement of the performers very interesting . . . I kind of think that it's intersting that Shaun was first . . . I think that Coffey is going home tonight . . . so, if that's true, Melissa Lawson will be the last of the remaining . . . I think they really want her to win . . . just a thought.

Pimpin The Judges . . . And Gabe Garcia Kicks It Country Style

Next up, our judges perform. It appears as if all three of our judges are going to perform some of their hits and then their gonna kick it country style together. First up, Jewel sings her non-country hits. Jeff Steele sings some of his songs, and now, we're saving horse by riding a cowboy. And we're done . . .

Gabe Garcia is the next to be through to the Top 4, and he is singing his original song, "Lost Weekend". He seems more and more confident each week. I'm wishing good things for him tonight.




Mr. Garcia does not disappoint. This song, much like Melissa Lawson's, could be released on the radio right now and be a hit. In fact, this song is a wee bit better put together than Melissa's. However, I will say that neither one of them (Gabe and Melissa) will be lost after this show is complete. Excellent!

Jeff - Ruining his critiques! Great work and great lyrics.
John - Liked it as well, and thinks it could be a big hit. He is cautioning him to remember that his connection with the audience is still a problem.
Jewel - Liked it, but wants to make sure that he understands that originality is important.

Official Top 6 Rankings!

Alright, this week was a wee better than most on the entertainment mecca that is Nashville Star!

Here are my rankings . . .


1. Melissa Lawson - By a longshot . . . she is still the Queen of this Kingdom!
2. Gabe Garcia - He's so authentic . . . so vocally amazing.
(SPACE)
3. Shaun Mayer - She took a shot by doing such a contemporary song . . . but she did a very, very good rendition.
4. Ashlee Hewitt - Her stage presence continues to rule, but her vocals are not improving . . .
(SPACE)
5. Coffey - He retains his usual place on this list. He was better this week, but just not good enough. He seems like a nice guy, but he should not still be on this list.

Eliminated Laura and Sophie would have been ranked 5th on this list. They were better, but not great . . . but better than Coffey.

Gabe Garcia Is Definitely Doing Something Right!

The next finalist who avoids obscurity . . . for right now . . . is Gabe Garcia.

I'm soooo glad! The Garcia was so very good last week. Perhaps, the only truly authentically country singer on this show. I don't think he is destined to win, but I do think he is destined to get a recording contract.


He’s performing “Must Be Doing Something Right” He’s singing this for his ex-girlfriend . . . not sure that he was or she’d probably still be his girlfriend . . . anyway . . . here he goes. . . uh oh, the judges may think this is boring, but I think that he is just brills . . . just amazing . . . his vocals are so solid! His stage presence is so much better tonight. Still not where I think he could be, but I do think he is improving each week. I just get the feeling that he is so very genuine. Another thing, he performance illustrates just how shaky Ashlee’s vocals actually were. Very very good.

The judges agree. Jewel thinks his vocals were great, but wants him to continue to up the level of audience seduction. John Rich thinks that Jewel kind of digs him . . . and Garcia does say that Jewel's boyfriend gave him his belt buckle . . . John and Jeff both think that Garcia is authentic and just wonderful . . . they kind of heart him too . . . In fact, I think John Rich probably wants him to go all the way . . . If he doesn't, I'm betting that John Rich records with Garcia.

Huh, it looks like we are only eliminating one act this week. They said we were eliminating two . . . in fact the info button on the cable tells us they are going from six to four this week . . . hmmm feels like something is amiss at the Circle K . . . I wonder if the brass at NBC didn't like who one of the acts were being eliminated and decided to axe the double elimination . . . just a thought.

Who's Hittin the Road?

Once again, Pearl Heart and Ashlee Hewitt are in the Bottom Two. Here comes the requisite teleprompter read from BRC about the two acts.

And now, the requisite ELEVENTY YEARS OF BLUE CHEESE LACED SILENCE . . .

And, yes, I was unfortunately correct, the girls of Pearl Heart are gone. They are taking it very well . . . and have wonderful words for their friends and family.

What will Mentor Jeff have to say . . . . Wow, I believe he just invited them to record a CD. Based on what he said, and the response from the crowd, I believe that we WILL be seeing the girls of Pearl Heart putting out a CD. Of particular importance, Jeff repeatedly discussed their amazing work ethic.

I'm upset, but happy to think that I will be able to buy a CD from these girls. What is upsetting is that I think this elimination is bad for the show. This season of Nashville Star, the first on NBC, only has four . . . possibly five . . . viable acts. Melissa Lawson, Pearl Heart, Gabe Garcia, Ashlee Hewitt . . . and possibly Shaun Mayer. They are in a different league from the rest. Nashville Star is struggling in the ratings for NBC, and they will be in need of a STRONG final three or four to try and pull in enough ratings to guarantee a renewal.

Well, there goes another week of Nashville Star . . . and we still have the dynamic duo of Coffey & Lauren and Sophie . . . ugh. . .

Two more will be eliminated next week. . . SURELY THE AFOREMENTIONED DUO WILL BE VOTED OFF THE ISLAND! Leaving a somewhat viable final 4.

Here's hoping!

The Next To Be Safe: Gabe Wants Somebody Like You

Who's next among the contestants to be safe? If we had one from John Rich's group to go first, we should expect a male or one of the groups to go next.

From Jewel's team, Gabe Garcia!

Hooray! He was simply glorious last week! He is the most authentically country, and seems to be getting better each week.

In his mentor session, Jewel wants Gabe to flirt with the audience. She wants him to REALLY CONNECT . . . work the stage . . . basically make the audience think he's a hottie!

Gabe's gonna sing a little Keith Urban ditty, "Somebody Like You". Here he goes . . . as per usual, the vocals are overall on target. . . sometimes it seems like he is straining a bit in his upper register, but overall a VERY GOOD PERFORMANCE! He performed the song, and made a better attempt at connecting with the audience. He still has some authenticity issues, but I think he is definitely getting a contract . . . no matter where he finishes.

I Want Gabe Garcia Around Next Week!

Gabe Garcia is the next to avoid elimination. Gabe hangs out with his family and then gets to the business of singin some country . . . sort of . . . Gabe tells Jewel that he wants to sing a Bon Jovi song, "Wanted Dead or Alive". I'm not totally stunned by this song choice. I can so totally see how this song could be countrified.

Wow. after an off week last week, Gabe has come back. He sounded great. . . I'm so pleased with his performance. He sounded country . . . he was on pitch and the tone was great. Great, great job.

John, Jewel, and Jeff think that he was quite good, and that he had recovered from last week. They believe he is the best male singer in the competition and could go very far.

Next up . . . The Bottom 2

Nashville Star: Week 3 . . . Who's Up First?

It's another week of Nashville Star, y'all! We are down to the Top 10 contestants, and this week's theme is "Pop goes country". Billy Ray says, "Ten have arrived, but only nine will survive!" . . . I needed to credit BRC with that line . . . Here we go . . .

First up, we're gonna find out a little important info . . . They're gonna pull out two contestants . . . one is in the top 2 vote getters, and one is in the bottom two - and could be going home tonight. Billy Ray tells Tommy Stanley and Gabe Garcia to step out . . . I think this one is pretty obvious . . . and, yes, Gabe Garcia is in our Top 2 and will be performing first. . . leaving Tommy to wait until the end.

Gabe Garcia – "Livin La Vida Loca" – I’m a little worried about this frontrunner this week. I think he is the most genuinely country performer of the bunch, but I’m not sure about this song choice. . . . And, we have back up dancers . . . er, um . . . not sure . . . yeah, I am. I heart G2 , but I’m just not feelin his rendition of the ultimate bon bon shaker. I fear for Gabe with going first and this horrendous performance. This week will test just how much of a frontrunner Mr. Garcia actually is.

The Refreshing Gabe Garcia

Gabe Garcia is next in the lineup. Jewel likes Gabe but wants him to step up and take command of the stage a little bit more. For me, Gabe was one of last week's best singers. I, personally, do not love his style of singing, but there is no denying that he is quite good indeed at what he does.

This week is no exception. Gabe came out and did his thing just as well as he did last week. I'm all over this guy because he's no flash and no flare . . . he just comes out and sings. Good Job, Gabe.

Gabe Wows and Alyson is Miss America!

Here comes electrician Gabe Garcia. The judges thought he could be a “very important act for country music”. We add a touch more diversity with this Hispanic contestant. Singing “All my exes live in Texas” . . . . very old school country . . . . very, very good. A little old school for my personal taste, but very good at what he did. He is very today's country meets Clint Black. I kinda dug it. All the judges heart his stuff.




Next up is Alyson Gilbert from Tennessee. She definitely has a country look to her. She is studying animal science at the University of Tennessee – Martin. Lower register is kinda pitchy, but her upper register is brilliant. Her eyes are VERY WIDE when she sings. The judges kinda thought she was a bit pagenty in performance, and are worried about her tonight. I'm a little worried bout her as well. She's got some pipes there, but her stage presence just kind of makes me want to get that cheese in a can . . . you know the stuff that looks like whip cream . . . and fill my mouth til I choke . . .