Hello, Country Music fans! How's everyone been? Me, I've been crazed as usual, but I wanted to stop in and share a few thoughts about some Country Music shows out there....

Let's get the bad out of the way first: Nashville Star. Now, I know that pop and rock has become a huge part of the Country sound and I don't exactly mind that. I think it's great when people mix genres and try new things like that. Still, for a show that is supposed to be finding a "country star", I don't understand what they're doing anymore. Several contestants now have performed in this competiton for 3 weeks and have not once done a song by a country artist. To me, that is really messing up the heart of what this show was supposed to be about- talented country acts. For them to have a theme night like this and invite Danity Kane of all people to perform just proves the network is slowly destroying this show. Don't even get me started on the back-up dancers...

With that said, I do see some very talented singers in here I want to stick around to watch. So, let's go through the contestants, shall we?

Pearl Heart: They've had me from the first episode, when they did a great version of the Dixie Chicks "Wide Open Spaces". Their bluegrass version of "Love Shack" has only cemented my support for them and I hope they stick around for quite a while yet.

Laura and Sophie: Jewel was right about the novelty aspect of their act, but I still like them. Underneath it all are two talented girls who I hope will stick together through all this craziness and learn a lot from it. Are they ready for a deal? Not sure, but I think they have great potential. I just want to ask their Mentor what he was thinking by having two young girls sing a song like "PYT". Billy Ray's Micheal Jackson joke at the end just added to the creepiness factor.

Ashlee: I  thought she did a nice version of the song, but I don't get why John Rich was trying to make her vamp it up like that. Much luck to her. By the way... am I the only one who thinks she looks and sounds like Jewel

Gabe: Odd song choice, but he made it work for him. I just don't think it was the best of the night.

Justin: The less said, the better. He was deserving of his ticket home this week.

Coffey: Beat boxing and yelling out random things every phrase is NOT the way to get the older crowd interested. And while we're at it: you are NOT country (not even "new country") not matter how many cowboy hats you put on. Try American Idol next year or maybe America's Got Talent.

Alyson: Great voice, bad arrangement. She really needs to start being more of a risk taker if she's going to stay alive in this competition.

Shawn: She's not a bad singer at all and she takes chances... I like that. Let's see how far these risks can take her...

Tommy: Adore him. He's got a good voice and he's just fun to watch perform. He has this great energy about him on stage and I like his song arrangements.

Finally, Melissa: Melissa, girl? Love your voice when you relax and stop trying so hard. Still... watch it now... you've had two weeks in a row with Pop songs. Time to get a bit more country.

On a final NS note... Thank you for bringing in a co-host to do most of the talking NBC... it's about the one good move you've made yet.

On a happier note.... I got a chance to catch The Road Hammers on GAC and enjoyed every minute of it. That lead singer is one smart (and tough) cookie. I liked his attention to detail when discussing the band's contract and how he seemed to be looking out for the others. It's also the first opportunity I have had to see them perform their music live and they were great during that showcase. Looking forward to the next episode. Check out the GAC website for more about the show and airtimes.

Well, that's about it for now. Keep checking back, though, because I will be sharing a review of the latest CD by Jeremy McComb as well as some info for anyone who maybe isn't familar with him yet. Til then, take care and "play something country!"

Yes, there is a huge question mark there. I'm starting to wish the show hadn't moved from USA and that isn't a slam on the contestants. I think most of them (with the exception of Coffey and Model dude) are good. I particularly like the Navy man, the sister trio and the teen duo (can't believe they're not twins, btw!). No, my beef is with the show itself.

Nashville Star has always been the less flashy, more talent-oriented alternative to shows like American Idol. Now, NBC is turning it into it's own version of the FOX show. Between showing bad auditions (had they ever shown the audition process, btw? I don't remember ever seeing that before...), pointing out the celebs in the audience and the new and not improved flashy set I don't recognize the show anymore.

My biggest beef is with the song selection. Now, I'm not a purist. I like a little rock and pop in my country just fine. Still, I don't know why they're bothering with a "pop goes country" night next week. Between the first two episodes, they've featured more pop songs than all the other seasons of this show plus Can You Duet combined!

Hopefully, in the next couple weeks Coffey and Mr. Model will get the boot and then we can focus on the really country people. Don't get me wrong, Coffey is talented. He's just bugging me with his pop selections. His style of singing is far more suited to American Idol or America's Got Talent.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully, the next time I write about NS, there will be something good to report. If not... well, maybe NBC will kill it and it will go back to a smaller network in it's old form. Talk to y'all later.

Nasville Star is changing more than their network next season. According to the official website, the contest is opening up to a wider variety of acts. They're auditioning soloists, duos and trios in various country styles. They've also lowered the age requirement. Should be interesting to see where this goes.

Nashville Star aired on USA for 5 seasons before this change. No word on when the new season is airing, but when it's released, I'll be sure to share. Also, look for recaps when the series starts airing.

Well, that's it for now. Check back next time for more news and reviews. Take care!