LAST EDITED ON 07-28-08 AT 08:27 PM (EST)

Down to the final 4, y'all! Woo Hoo!

Can't say I would have pick these 4, but hey, it could have been worse.

So join me for a sigpic free rant about Coffey, Shawn, Gabe and Melissa.

Jewel has a cute short bob. Very forties.

• Shawn Mayer,whimsey, 08:24 PM, 07-28-08
• Gabe Garcia,whimsey, 08:33 PM, 07-28-08
• Coffey,whimsey, 08:43 PM, 07-28-08
• Melissa Lawson,whimsey, 08:51 PM, 07-28-08
• And the bottom 2 ,whimsey, 09:09 PM, 07-28-08
  • RE: And the bottom 2 ,mindy23, 09:23 AM, 07-29-08
    • RE: And the bottom 2 ,whimsey, 10:04 AM, 07-29-08
      • RE: And the bottom 2 ,gypsyvixen, 04:02 PM, 07-29-08
        • RE: And the bottom 2 ,whimsey, 07:17 PM, 07-29-08

Goes home to May City, IA. 500 folks turn out in a town of 45. Shawn leads a pack of motorcycles into her concert.

1st song: "Here for the party" Gretchen Wilson

Great job, smiling with a hop in her step. She seems to have a bit of a beer tummy.

Jeffrey says she's having wisdom tooth issues ... way to be a pro.

LAST EDITED ON 07-28-08 AT 09:13 PM (EST)

Home to South Texas, seems in his element. Talks about his dad that past away last October.

sings: "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" Alan Jackson (threw a little Jimmy Buffet in there for good measure)

Seemed more emotionally engaged, smiled and made eye contact.

Judges were so-so. Jewel is holding back so far. Warning each if they "have it" to be the Nashville Star.

2nd song: "Livin in fast forward" Kenny Chesney.

Very nice job. Still holding back, though.

Goes home to LA instead of Texas 'cause that's where his daughter is. Patricia Heaton and Sinbad stop by to give support.

sings: " Sweet home Alabama"

Gives a shout out to Ronnie Van Sant of Lynyrd Skynyrd

You know how I feel about Coffey, but he does his homework. Knows what to say and when to say it. He has worked very hard to be on top. I agree with John Rich - he's a star, no doubt, but not a Nashville Star.

LAST EDITED ON 07-28-08 AT 09:00 PM (EST)

Goes home to her hometown in Texas. Straight to her 5 boys. Yikes! 5 boys in 9 years. Her concert is in her high school She is in great voice.

sings: "Hit me with your best shot"

Slams it. Melissa has a great voice, and she sells it. But Jeffrey is right, she over shoots it.

2nd song: "Jesus take the wheel" Carrie Underwood.

Sings less in your face, but still powers through. Lost it at the end.

**safe!**

The bottom 2 are:

Coffey and Gabe Garcia.

Going home tonight is......

Coffey. And he doesn't really seem to mind. Says if you don't catch him on tour, you'll catch him in church singing praise.

Thanks again, Whimsey for your time and energy in putting this all together for the TWO of us who actually watch this show!! LOL.

I just caught it this morning on my DVR, and was happy to see Coffey finally eliminated. Felt that a few really better than he, had left earlier. But he did have that charistmatic factor that got him as far as he went. And he was a good guy.

Have to say, the final 3 are really good, IMHO, and I don't know who I would have voted for, had I been up and non-comatose last night. I love Shawn's energy, and those eyes! WOW. Love Gabe's originality, and that voice-he is all Country all of the time. Not that crazy about Melissa, and her answer to why she wanted to be the next Nashville Star just didn't make sense. It's not as though she lives in a single wide in Podunk. I don't know what her husband does for a living, but her house is WAY better than MINE! Gotta tell you...Whatever. Kids are way too spoiled these days, don't ya think??? Just kidding...

BTW, what happened with Angela Hacker from last season, AND what is going on with Julio Iglesias Jr. whom Mr. Rich was going to make into a Super Hispanic Country Star?? So, where these people go or what pit they fall into is another reality show altogether, right?? Good luck to all of them-they totally deserve it!

I agree about Melissa. She has a lot of talent, but I wouldn't put her in the same category with other hungry, fight and scratch artists trying to make it big. It may not be politically correct, but she has 5 kids, 8 years to 11mos. I have to ask myself how she will be able to do this.

Or maybe she's doing it to get away from that madness

So I haven't been watching this show religiously or anything, but I do catch it every once in awhile. The last time I saw it, there were the final four. Just to make sure I'm remembering correctly, because I don't know their names, there was that black guy? Then the hispanic-looking guy? Then that bigger woman, and then that younger girl with the long dark hair, right? And from reading your postings, Coffey went home? Im guessing that's the black guy? I hope i'm not totally off!

Welcome to the boards! Don't worry about being "totally off" here, just feel free to chime in. Someone will always get you a response.

Yes, Coffey is "the Black Guy" as you put it. The final three are:

Melissa - mom of 5 boys from Texas
Gabe - the South Texas crooner
Shawn - she's the young'un - bartender/motorcycle rider from Iowa.