Nashville Star

Last night on Nashville Star, two acts were eliminated from the competition. Right at the start of the show, Tommy Stanley was pulled front and center along with front runner Melissa Lawson. It was clear that the Navy boy with the rock edge was a goner.

What was more surprising was the end of the show when the two finalists up for elimination were Ashlee Hewitt and Pearl Heart, both solid performers that no one wanted to see leave. After giving one of the best performances of the season, it was Pearl Heart that was told to leave the show, much to the chagrin of the studio audience and the judges. This morning, Tommy Stanley and Pearl Heart sat down for a conference call with reporters, and BuddyTV was there to hear all about how they feel the morning after.

One of the first questions asked of Tommy was how he felt about the whole pop versus country debate. Tommy said that he thinks judge John Rich is just being himself and wants real, true country from someone, but also thinks that John should look at himself and how he acts, since John is a man known for his pop-like persona. Overall, Tommy really appreciates John's style and wants to bring the same to country music.

Asked about his influences, Tommy said that he remembered listening to Garth Brooks's Ropin' the Wind album when he was nine, and that he was inspired by Brooks's showmanship and music. Tommy also revealed that he does have a lot of non-country musical influences, including Bon Jovi, Elton John, Michael Jackson and even more hard rock groups, like Chasing Victory. He thinks he has his own sound and that all of these artists contributed to that.

Courtney of Pearl Heart says that their group was inspired by John Michael Montgomery, since she remembered hearing his song "Life's A Dance" and really getting into country music. The group also said they felt inspired by the Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and George Straight for their work ethic and appreciation for their fans.

Both Pearl Heart and Tommy really appreciated their mentors. Tommy said that Jewel let him be who he was. While Jeffrey Steele and John Rich would pick out songs and arrange them for their mentees, Jewel encouraged him to be a musician.

Angela of Pearl Heart said that Jeffrey Steele has been really supportive and is making good on his on-air promise to work with them. She said that the group and Jeffrey had a really strong connection and that he really appreciated their strong work ethic.

Asked about how they got their start, Pearl Heart's Courtney said that she and her sisters have been singing together for ten years and that they would perform every year at their mother's family reunions, as well as at local fairs and even at nursing homes. They just did everything they could to get experience.

Tommy too sings constantly and said that on the USS Kittyhawk he would often sit and sing with his guitar and would even make up funny songs for his fellow sailors. He was really happy to see both his shipmates and his family last week, saying the reunions brought him back to his time just sitting on his family porch and strumming his guitar.

Asked who the ultimate Nashville Star winner will be, Tommy gave his vote for Gabe Garcia, saying that he's country to the bone. But both Tommy and Pearl Heart said that all of the contestants felt like one big family and that they are all rooting for one another. Tommy even admitted that it was harder to watch the girls of Pearl Heart be eliminated last night than it was to be eliminated himself, since they are like sisters to him.

Over the next several weeks, we were told that the contestants will be performing love longs and songs that they wrote themselves before the big finale reveals the ultimate winner. Check back with BuddyTV tomorrow for an exclusive interview with Nashville Star judge Jeffrey Steele, when he'll discuss what it was like seeing Pearl Heart go, how he feels about the backstage drama unveiled on Monday's episode, and who he thinks will ultimately win the show.


- , BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Photo courtesy of NBC)