John Rich Chooses The Big Winner On CMT's 'Gone Country' Celebrity Reality TV Music Show
A few people have asked for my opinion regarding the winner of the "Gone Country" show on CMT.
As a reminder, the 6-episode series of Gone Country doesn't even begin airing until January, 2008.
I have no way of knowing who the winner actually will be. (Only John Rich knows for sure.) But here are my predictions...
Keep in mind, I've only seen each artist perform one (in some cases 2) songs -- only one of which was a Country song that they wrote or co-wrote.
So it's really difficult to say from this one instance alone which of the 7 celebrities should be awarded the Country Music record deal.
But curious minds want to know, so here are my thoughts...
The Most Fun To Watch
If the contest were judged on hair alone, then Dee Snider would win hands-down.
If you want to know who turned things up a notch, who fully engaged the audience the most, and who put forth the most energy at the taping for the season finale of "Gone Country"... these 3 ranked the highest:
#1 Dee Snider
#2 Bobby Brown
#3 Sisqo
Obviously, a high-energy show is not the only determining factor in this case.
Who's Got What The Judges Are Looking For?
From the sound of things, John Rich is looking for the most well-rounded artist -- the one who would seem to be the most capable of crossing over into Country music, and therefore appealing to Country music fans for years to come (...or at least for one album's worth).
That would mean, on this night, the following things should have been evident:
- at least some semblance of a Country music sound;
- a good connection between the audience and the artist;
- some sign that the crowd was left wanting to hear more from this artist;
- and finally, a well-penned song (written, or co-written by that artist).
With those things in mind -- and using this one night alone as a guide -- I would say the winner is most likely to be either... (drumroll, please)...
#2 Bobby Brown
Without a doubt, Diana DeGarmo had best "true" Country sound. That, combined with a great voice, a natural level of comfort with the crowd, great eye contact, honest emotions, wide range of vocal notes, and great stage presence made her a very natural shoe-in for this competition.
Oh, and she certainly had the attention of the big-wigs in the balcony. It was quite obvious that they had been told she was "the one to watch" on this night. And they were overwhelmingly impressed by her performance. She was one of the few who received a standing ovation from the people that mattered most on this night (John Rich and his peeps).
And, while John Rich was not biased in any way on this night (he definitely gave equal praise and props to all of the night's performers), you couldn't help but notice that another of his personal favorites was Bobby Brown. He definitely wanted everyone to give this guy a chance, and it was obvious that he had come to know Bobby Brown on a level that most of us haven't. There were some heartfelt "this guy deserves a second chance" undertones in his introduction of Bobby Brown on this night. And they were probably well-deserved.
Bobby Brown was the surprise underdog to steal the show in more ways than one. Not only did he perform his high-energy song My Prerogative (lyrics here) and the Countryfied song that he wrote about trying to be the best man that he can be... he also put on a great show with Sisqo on stage. And at the end of the show, he stuck around the longest to sign autographs and make new friends.
An Interesting Side-Note...
One of the new friends that Bobby Brown made at the Wildhorse Saloon on this night was the guy in the front row that Bobby Brown gave his "Da Man" guitar to.
However... just a few short moments later, stagehands and security guards swarmed that Country music fan and demanded that he give them the guitar. He refused. Bobby Brown coaxed him to give it up long enough for him to autograph the guitar for him. Which began Round Two with the security guards tugging on the guitar with the fan. In the end, the brutes on stage got the guitar back, but it was a sad ending to an otherwise enjoyable evening.
Bobby Brown had given the guy the guitar. Then, he even autographed the guitar for the fan. Only to have it taken away from him -- by force. I'm guessing the guitars that each celeb held at the end of the show were fairly expensive ones owned by John Rich, et al. Who knows, perhaps Bobby Brown never had permission to give one away, but it happened. Unfortunately, it meant that things got kind of ugly on-stage at the end of the show.
As you can see, the cameras were still rolling. I'd love to know if the guy ever got the guitar back later. (I doubt it.) It will be interesting to see if any of this makes it onto the show.
More About John Rich
See how the show "Gone Country" came to be... according to John Rich.
More about John Rich... who he is and how he came to be a big star in Nashville.
UPDATE And The Winner Is...
Well John Rich chose Julio Iglesis, Jr. to win this competition. I'd have to say... I think that threw practically everyone who watched the show for a loop!
While Julio Jr. may have made the young girls swoon on that night... And yes, it's time that Country Music include all cultures... I'm not sure Julio Jr. is the best choice -- based on this competition alone. That's just my opinion. But then, I'm not the audience John Rich is after.
He obviously had an ulterior motive, other than merely giving these celebs a chance to break into Country Music. As he said in the very last show, to find a new Country Music star to address the whole Gen X thing was one of the biggest reasons he held this competition.
I still say Bobby Brown's song will be a huge hit if he chooses to release it. Country or not, it's a great song.
UPDATE: Here's why John Rich picked Julio Iglesias, Jr. as the winner in the first season of Gone Country.
In Other News...
Did you hear about the John Rich fur coat thing?... [Click each photo to go to a different story.]
Listen to Bud Light's Real Men of Genius "Mr. Male Fur Coat Wearer":
i think that carnie should have won on the first season and the second season should have been mikaleh gordon
John Rick essentially admits that he chose Julio for "affirmative action" reasons. Now it's Saturday morning, Sept 20, and the finale of season 2 is almost here. Based on Rich's criterion, the only contestant he can anoint winner is Germaine Jackson, to "increase the black presence in country music."
p.s. Where is Julio now??
Because John Rich is so talented in so many ways and because of the fact that I love Country music I watched this show. I thought that this show would have been totally on the up and up. I was totally disappointed. I really would like for him to explain what his decision was based on. He made the comment on the show that he would live and die for Country music. His decision on who picked as the winner did not portray that. Not that Julio isn't talented, but he made a mockery of Country music. I definately am not a big fan of Bobbie Brown, but I would have rather seen him win. He did not go on stage and basically make fun of country music as did Juilo. Definately lost some respect for John Rich.
I personally thought that Julio wasn't in the competition to win, he was there for the exposure to the US market. Diana was good, but no where near the praise I have seen on this sight. If anyone can be honest out of all of them, if a truer country song was ever written it was Bobby Browns. Think of Jennings, Nelson, Cash....rebels that went through trials and tribulations and put them through songs, that is what Bobby did, he put his heart out there.
I watched the show faithfully each week. I couldn't wait for the final episode to see the winner. What a shame. What a disappointment. What a waste of show. Julio was my last choice. I didn't even think he was good for the show. I'm like everyone else, what was John Rich thinking? Julio couldn't care less if he won. He's not interested in Country music, that much was apparent. The winner should have been Bobby or Diana.
I found the series entertaining. I thought all the songs written were good, but then again why wouldn't they be, they were written by pro's. I thing john had the winner picked long before the finalle. Dianna is the won deserving of a record contract. The shame of all of this is JR is trying to change country music. He doesn't love country music, he loves contraversy and money. I would like to hear the opinions of real country music artist, like mary Stuart, or Vince Gill, I bet they are appalled.
ya know, i was so mad when i found out who won. if you had a pulse watching the show there was no way anyone wouldve picked julio to win. i have to disagree with john rich. i dont think there needs to be a bigger latin presence in county music. i cant think of any country singer who is latino. what a joke. a terrible way to end a show i really liked. i have to agree with Debi "I think his credibility, and ultimately his 'name' as producer is shot." im so disappointed.
I heard John Rich and Julio interviewed on a local country station. John selected him because he believes there should be a bigger latino presence in country music. What a shame. Diana, Bobby and even Carnie deserved it more.
OMG!!! Julio Iglesias Jr. ???!!! I absolutely don't understand what J.R. (or the record exec's who were intimately part of the ultimate decision who to go with) was thinking! I think his credibility, and ultimately his 'name' as producer is shot. When the "rubber meets the road", Diana DeGarmo was the shinning star that would have given Rich a legitimate name as a producer/'finder' of talent. He (Rich) totally busted Diana's chops with his critique of her 'demo' and motive to come on this show, and she showed her integrity as a true talent, and stepped up to the challenge (afterall she survived being "Simon-ized" numerous times on A.I.). Diana, there were more 'ears' out there who heard your amazing talent and passion for country music and I know you'll come out of this experience, a star in Country music..... SHAME ON YOU JOHN RICH, et. al !!!
I can not believewho won
Julio did not look or sound COUNTRY..
Maureen or Bobby would have been better.
What country do you listen to ??
I was raised on Porter.Webb,Johnny and Conway.
They would roll over with that decison..
I can not believe that Julio Iglesias Jr won. I was raised on country music. I had never heard of Sisqo before this reality show, but he did an outstanding performance. Carnie Wilson wrote a song about her daughter. I loved it. Even Bobby Brown touched me with his song. Dee was endearing on all the episodes after he got to know everyone.
Dee Snyder Rules.
OH MY GOD!! JOHN RICH IS GORGEOUS. I LOVE HIM!!
I saw the first episode and I was not impressed. It looked like a bunch of people who are looking to re-create themselves. I thought it was sad. The sadest to me was Ms. DeGarmo. Here is a 20 year old that had her shot at fame that didn't pan out. Her first CD did not sell well due to her lackluster performance. I don't forsee her having a mass appeal like Carrie Underwood. Diana needs to stick to Broadway and realize that her dreams of stardom are probably not meant to be. She appears to be going from one reality show to another trying to break through - I am sorry to say it probably is not going to happen and actually makes her look desperate.
That article about Diana is 110% true. Seeing her performance on Youtube left me saying WOW, WOW! Amazing! WOW! She seemed so comfortable on stage. Like she really belonged there. Miss. Diana is perfect for the win. If Mr. Rich doesn't pick her, I think the winner will be laughable and not be able to cope in the country music industry oh and possibly make one hit song then that's it. But with Diana, I see her being a country superstar. I believe she will be around for a long time, selling millions and millions of CD's nationally and internationally. Hopefully, there will be a making of the album as a DVD version. She can most definetly sing country, and she has the right body image too. Especially to the young girls, who look up to her as their inspirational role model, its nice to have a change from all of the paris hilton, lindsay lohan wannabes. I admire her courage to change genres and the fact that it is so easy for her, just proves she is the correct person for the win. I also love that fact that she loves all her fans. Please Mr. Rich, if you read this, you have to pick Diana!! :) it will be the best decision of your whole life!
She will change country music forever. In a good way of course.
Go Diana!! :)
I was there at the Wildhorse as well that night to see all 7 perform in the finale. IMO Diana was the best and should win. Vocally, she blew the others away. Bobby wrote a good song performed it great but vocally, Bobby was awful! Simon would have torn him apart. Dee Snider cheated and didnt write a Country song, it was pure Rock and Roll named Rock Out With Your Rooster Out with a bunch a screaming, head bobbing hair flips and a guitar smashing at the end. Is there such a thing as Punk Rock Country? He copped out because there was NOTHING Country about his song or the way he performed. I have no idea what the song was about accept Rocking with your rooster out! Carnie Wilson was OK but the song that professed her love to her daughter will only be loved by Carnie herself. Maureen McCormick almost put me to sleep. She has a 0% chance to win. Julio Iglesias Jr. is another that refused to write and sing a Country song. He did nothing but try to seduce the ladies in the front row and sang half the song in Spanish. Sisgo did write a fairly good Country song and performed well. IMO he posies the biggest threat to Diana, but he would only last 14 to 15 minutes in Country before all say OK that was funny. Can we all be serious now? Diana is the least experienced of all 7 but she blew all of them out of the water vocally. Her song was superb for being a Country song. She had great stage presence and connected with the audience Simon! The crowd loved her and she noticed. If John Rich really wants one of these to ache success in Country music, there is only one that he can choose. Its Diana DeGramo! If John wants any respect for this show she wins!
Quite an evening they were all good but the natural for long term stardom in this genre is Diana Degarmo.
Wow . I guess that says it all.
I am in total agreeance that Diana should win, she was absoloutly terrific.
I think John Rich would be insane to pick any one but Diana. She sounds country and she's southern. Shes also young, she's gorgoeous and has a nice personality. She's a country star in the making. Everybody else would be in for 15 minutes of fame and then nothing.
As well as everyone might have done, I can't imagine anyone other than Diana winning this.