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Trace Adkins kicked off Nashville Star with his latest hit. Someone please explain to me why this song is so popular. It's basically the country equivalent of "Baby's Got Back". Patti La Belle was the guest judge. She wasn't afraid to say she didn't like something. Phil Vassar trumpeted his latest greatest album by performing with the contestants and having some fun with the "youngsters" about the "Next Thirty Years".

( Down to four )

American Idol's country night is always an interesting challenge. Some contestants can change up their styles and others are clearly way out of their league. The advantage obviously went to those familiar with the genre. Simon still doesn't understand the genre at all. I'm curious if they did a country night the first season, because I remember Kelly Clarkson being a big Reba McEntire fan. Kenny Rogers continued his tour of the music shows, giving the contestants performance advice. Kellie Pickler performed "Fancy" a whole lot better than Kristen McNamara, but Bucky surprised me with his tender rendition of Gary Allan's "Best I Ever Had", which probably won for the most obscure country song that wasn't. Vertical Horizon had also recorded the song. Until I Googled the title, I couldn't figure out how I knew the song.

( There's more of the same where that came from )

Over on American Idol, the 1950s theme yielded two country songs. Chris Daughtry completely changed around "Walk the Line" in arrangement. I almost wish he'd just sing something, rather than try to change it to a rock song every time. But that's considered selling out, rather than say versatility. Kelly Pickler was grasping for ideas when her grandfather suggested Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight". I loved her performance, but I was more surprised that Barry Manilow wasn't familiar with the song.

( Let me get a big Hell Yeah from the redneck girls like me )

I was utimately disappointed with how "Nashville Star" ended last season. I made no bones about the fact that I disliked Erika Jo throughout the season. I wasn't terribly surprised she won. The strongest contenders had been eliminated in the previous rounds, so it was basically a coronation. The two previous years had been a lot closer and harder to judge.

Buddy Jewell has apparently been dropped by Sony Nashville. His follow-up albums didn't do as well as his initial success. Hopefully someone will snap him up. George Canyon continues to do extremely well in Canada. I wish he'd come down to the US more often. Miranda Lambert is surprising everyone with the success of "Kerosene".

But I'm upbeat about this season. New crop of singers, anything can happen. I've usually found someone I liked. I'm hoping I will post a few more reviews as I'm going through my music.