Season One - Finalists
Finalists
Anne Blythe
This California girl was calling Nashville home when she was selected for the show. She was off early, but that surprised at least one person - me!
Amy Chappell
Amy Chappell is from Kansas. I liked her better each time I heard her sing. She was also cut way too soon. Amy is one of many over the seasons who had a different style for her own music but sounded great on the covers too. I have two of her CDs now. You should have at least one.
Jamey Garner
Jamey is the male I thought was most likely to win. He had great stage presence. He played a mean harp. He had a good voice. He had a good look. He just didn't have enough votes. Jamey also left long before I though he would.
Brandi Gibson
Brandi is from Kentucky. She has a good voice and many fans. She has a sorta bluesy sound.
Travis Howard
Travis is from Georgia, but is now lives in Los Angeles. He's different vocally. He definitely preferred rocking. His original "Not Here. Not now. Not me." is my favorite Travis song. Great song - and not a rocker! Who knew? I think what I've heard of his music since he left the show is more country than the songs he did before and during the show. He's got a part in the movie, "Elizabethtown"
Kristin Kessling
Kristin is from Austin, Texas. She was teaching kindergarten when she made it on to the show. We didn't get to know her much.
Miranda Lambert
Miranda is from a little town called Lindale, Texas. She was young, blonde, attractive, talented, poised, a good songwriter. I have her CD from before the show. She was struggling before she sang on an awards show with a fancy fireworks display. That was hot and it seems to have ignited her career. Her new CD, "Kerosene", is doing really well.
John Arthur Martinez
jAm is a smooth singer, good songwriter. I have several of his CDs. He is also from Texas. He came in second.
Brandon Silveira
Brandon was the young man with the spiked hair. He is a pretty good singer on some types of songs. He has a bunch of fans. He is well known for his "everybody's got one" reply to one of the judges.
Natasha Valentine
Tasha wore the flower in her hair. She was "lively". She can really sing. I'm not sure I could say why she was voted off when she was. I have to admit that as long as Buddy stayed on, I didn't get too upset about who went home. It's just that in looking back at this season, I don't think I would have lined them up to finish in the order they did.
Prentiss Varnon
Prentiss was young, good looking, and definitely old school country. He is from Texas and it showed. I thought he was good, but not the best at that time.
And the winner was Buddy Jewell
Buddy is from Nashville, living in a small town near Nashville. They featured his wife and kids on the show alot. His "Help Pour Out the Rain" was inspired by his daughter. I think he deserved to win. I think he was a long shot. He was in his early forties and hefty, not your typical new star. He could sing and write, and he connected with the audience.
