Carrie Underwood is rarely ever off and I think she is the closest thing to Martina McBride to come through Nashville, but she still isn't MMc.
I was actuallly impressed with Kellie Pickler. She doesn't try, but has become the modern day version of Dolly Parton -- country to the core and you never know what she will say next. But where I was impressed was her actual overall composure even with the emotions that were pouring out while she was singing. It says something about a performer when they are singing from their heart and showing you their heart -- crying -- BUT stay mostly on key/on pea/and you can still understand the words they are saying...it is very hard to do -- and she handled it all very well last night and gave a great ending to "her story". I was very impressed...
I was also impressed with Keith Urban and Gary from Rascal Flatts who both sounded like they had "shot their wad" so to speak -- they had done all they could do and during the crunch of a Live show -- still gave great performances.
AND Jamie Foxx did great at filling and covering when Gary pointed for him too -- I sing so I notice those things, but they made that song smoother with the ad lib....
All around -- some of the writing and filling oculd have been more entertaining, but i was pleased with the show...