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Original SongsEpisode 4 of Season 2 of "Nashville Star" Director: Milton Lage Show Stars: Nancy O'Dell (Host (Seasons 1-2)), Heather Green (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Tracy Gershon (Judge (Season 1-2)), Rachel Williams (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Billy Greenwood (Judge (Season 2)), Brett Warren (Judge (Season 2)), Brad Warren (Judge (Season 2)), Brad Cotter (Contestant (Season 2, Winner)), Sheila Marshall (Contestant (Season 2, 8th Place)), Stacy Michelle (Contestant (Season 2, 10th Place)), George Canyon (Contestant (Season 2, 2nd Place)), Lance Miller (Contestant (Season 2, 4th Place)), Richie Jones (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Anessa Andrews (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Eddie Barber (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Gregory DeLang (Contestant (Season 2, 11th Place)), Austin Hanks (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Jennifer Hicks (Contestant (Season 2, 5th Place)), Brent Keith (Contestant (Season 2, 6th Place)), Brennen Leigh (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Matt Lindahl (Contestant (Season 2, 3rd Place)), Sean Patrick McGraw (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)), Mal Rodgers (Contestant (Season 2, 9th Place)), Marty Slayton (Contestant (Season 2, 7th Place)), Laura Sullivan (Contestant (Season 2, Semi-Finalist)) Guest Stars: Rodney Crowell (Himself) This week on Nashville Star, we witnessed one of the key elements that distinguishes it from other talent reality shows: the contestants' performances of their original songs. Singing their original material gives them an opportunity to reveal more of themselves and their personalities to the viewing audience. Host Nancy O'Dell began the show by explaining that because of a technical glitch with last week's voting, elimination of contestants would be suspended for this week. Instead, the two contestants with the fewest number of votes following this week's show will be eliminated next week (April 3). This week's special guest was renowned singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell, who has written country and pop classics for Waylon Jennings, Bob Seger, Roger Daltrey, Crystal Gayle, and Linda Ronstadt, and was an integral member of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band and the producer of Rosanne Cash's landmark recordings. Acclaimed as an artist as well, his Fate's Right Hand was named "Album of the Year" by the nation's music critics in a poll by The Nashville Scene. Crowell is also the first country artist to have five #1's from one album, his platinum-selling Diamonds & Dirt. Among the hit songs in the Houston-born singer/songwriter's catalogue are "Ain't Living Long Like This," "Shame on the Moon," "'Til I Gain Control Again," "Please Remember Me," "Ashes By Now," and "Leavin' Louisiana in the Broad Daylight." The evening's first performer, who began writing songs while picking fruit on his grandfather's farm, was Matt Lindahl. He kept the audience smiling as he yodeled and sang his way through "Jump Off The Bridge," which included lines about family reunions being "drunken and confused." The Warren Brothers remain fans. "You are hilarious," said Brett. "Everybody in this country needs to lighten up a little bit. I talked to girls this week who had erotic dreams about you." Billy Greenwood cautioned that the song would never get played on country radio. Tracy Gershon told Matt, "You've got your own mojo going. There's life beyond radio." Nashville native Jennifer Hicks was next to perform. She described her song "Lost In The Magic" by saying it was about "going through a tough time, when instantly I was blessed by the pure magic of another person." Wearing a pink sweater and strumming a pink guitar, Jennifer won the judges' praise. "What I like about you is that you're a song stylist rather than a big range singer," Tracy said. "You need to find the right songs that suit you, and you did with that one." Brad told her, "You redeemed yourself completely from last week. I had a feeling you'd be an artist who was better doing your own songs - that was fabulous." Nova Scotia's George Canyon was up next, energized by the fact that his wife was able to join him in the audience for the first time since the competition began. He performed an up-tempo ode to the open range, "Good Day To Ride," and dedicated it to the memory of his friends' young son, who was killed in a recent accident. Billy said, "You win first and foremost because radio loves a good up-tempo song. I think you could be the next George Strait." Brett said, "The song wasn't that great to me, but you're a professional." "I don't mean to beat a dead horse," Brad chimed in, "but you've got to see the resemblance," and held up a Buzz Lightyear doll, noting the similarities between George's chiseled features and the Disney action hero. Texan Sheila Marshall took the stage next and performed "I Should Have Said This," a sassy summary of all the things you wish you'd said after a relationship ends. "Your voice is so good you could sing anything," Brad said. "That's not my favorite song, which means that Billy would play the crap out of it." "I probably wouldn't play it on the radio, but we'd definitely play it before the Warren Brothers!" Billy retorted. Tracy chose to rise about the fray and told Sheila that she thought her performance was believable. Next up was this week's "Hot Spot" segment, in which Montgomery Gentry invited the contestants to perform at a show in honor of our troops at which the duo also made a special guest appearance. The concert was held at The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, and the contestants not only worked up a show while keeping in mind their special audience, they promoted it as well, talking it up on the local radio station, "The Big 98" WSIX. The songs they performed included "Fightin' Side of Me," "Fast as You," and the theme from The Dukes of Hazzard, "Good Ol' Boys." They also managed to whip the crowd into a frenzy for Montgomery Gentry's performance. What did they learn from the experience? More on that later. With a songwriter as talented as Rodney Crowell as the week's special guest, it made sense to ask him just what makes a great song. When Nancy O'Dell posed that question, Crowell's answer was extensive: believability, relatability, a really good melody, a good rhyme scheme, and more. "It should also show you something of yourself," he said. "Maybe humor or tenderness. Cleverness also helps." The next contestant to perform was Ohio's Brent Keith, who introduced his song, "Cold Lonesome Sound," by saying that it was about the consequences of cheating in a relationship. "I love original song night," Tracy said. "It's about showing more of yourself. That's the best performance I've seen from you." Billy agreed that it was Brent's strongest performance, but said it wasn't the strongest song. Nancy asked Brent about the ring that he wears around his neck, and Brent revealed it was his grandfather's wedding ring, representing the 62 happy years of marriage that he and Brent's grandmother shared before they passed away. Marty Slayton took the stage next and performed "Just About Every Night," a song she co-wrote with top Nashville tunesmiths Al Anderson and Jeffrey Steele. "I love you on stage," Billy said, "but as for the song, if I get ten CD's a week and can only add two, I probably wouldn't add it." "Except you wrote that with two of the greatest writers in Nashville," Brad interjected. "I think you just need a wardrobe mishap like Janet Jackson, and you're gonna be a big star." Up next was Fairfield, Illinois native Lance Miller, who introduced his song, "Beer's Not Just For Breakfast," by saying he'd done a lot of research on the subject. After his confident performance of the ultra-traditional country song, the judges were unanimous with their praise. "This song is a smash," Brett said. "I've been trying to tell my wife about that for years - thank you," Brad added. Tracy said, "You're playing like you don't care. Finally you're loosening up and having fun." Billy told him it was the first time he'd seen him show confidence on stage. Next it was time to go back to the Wildhorse Saloon for more highlights from the concert for the troops. Montgomery Gentry rocked the house with their current single, "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," and brought the contestants on stage to sing with them on "Hell Yeah" and "My Town." "They came out and showed us how it's done," Jennifer said "You have to remember the audience and why you're there; concentrate on pleasing them," George reflected. The last song of the evening came from Alabama's Brad Cotter, who turned in an emotional performance while accompanying himself on keyboard. He wrote "I Miss Me" about a relationship with a former girlfriend, and when he was done singing, it was two-thumbs-up from all the judges. "In the words of those great country music philosophers, Montgomery Gentry: hell yeah!" Tracy said. "That was the best song of the night, and a great performance." Billy said, "You just nailed it. If you send it to radio, we'll play it." Before turning it over the viewing audience, we checked in one more time with Rodney Crowell, who was backstage with contestants. His advice to them? "Writing is a full-time job, and to get to the best of your ability you've got to write all the time - no stopping." Remember, next week the two contestants with the fewest number of votes will be eliminated from the competition. Country legend Willie Nelson will join us for a live performance, and the remaining contestants will all perform Willie Nelson songs. Don't miss this true Lone Star State extravaganza! (USA) If you see any mistakes on this page or if you have more infomation about this episode, please submit a comment Unsatisfied? Search for more:
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