I have to agree with the majority here...Country hasn't been COUNTRY for some years now. It has been edging closer and closer to more pop-like for years and that is what people are buying. I have to agree that I am sure that Coffey is not pure "country" as country is defined in the past, but he is "country" at heart and his roots are that of a country singer. He definitely offers a different sound to what we call country music. The judges, even if I don't agree with them 90% of the time, are giving constructive criticism. I am not fond of Jewel as a judge/mentor. I think they could have found SOMEONE a little more qualified for that than her...John Rich is an amazing songwriter that has been in country for over 15 years now, Jeff Steele has written hundreds of hit songs for all kinds of artists, Jewel has done what? She has one "country" album that isn't very good that she made because she wasn't selling pop anymore. Not loving her at all...I am a huge Big & Rich fan and Musik Mafia, but how hypocritical is John for trying to define "country" when he's endorsed and produced Cowboy Troy!! If that wasn't the biggest joke! John, if you read this, I love ya man but you owe them an apology for that one!!! Big TIME!

Well, I am alone in thinking the judges are giving these people exactly what they need- a dose of reality! I'm sorry but radio DJ's, the news media, and fans will not be as nice if these people make it big. They MUST develop tough skin. And besides, they are only telling the truth. What is his name... Coffee- your not country! Never will be. I hope you do go to American Idol. Johnny Cash is rolling over in his grave watching some of these people sing "country music"- John Rich is absolutly right!! And, just for the record, I think Jewel is great.

I turned on this show for the first time last night. I had a chance to see Jewel trash the young sisters at the end. It was reminiscent of watching the tough girl in high school ganging up on the not so tough girls. She was sarcastic and not a bone of good intention or constructive criticism emenated from her response. She seemed angry..but at who and why?

I was amazed that someone SOOOO famous would be so comfortable being totally diabolical to others on live tv. What kind of modeling is she doing for children? It's okay to be horrible to people if your "more talented"? I understand telling people they missed the mark and helping them understand where they missed the mark, but this was devoid of anything worthwhile.

I hope somehow these judges start to hear more about how they are mis-using their power. As for Jewel--your loosing your gems, get a therapist PRONTO so you can stop taking your stuff out on others.

Has he ever heard of constructive critisism? He is way to mean on National Television. I am sure he has lost a lot of fans. Anybody ever seen the bumper sticker don't be a D***!! With all that said he should listen to his own music live!!!!! HAHAHAH his music sucks ass live!!!!Been there done that and wont ever go back!!!! Rich if your reading.....you suck ass in concert!!!! Although your CDs are good. I guess technology has helped him out.

What a sad show. The judges seem to be developing a "nasty" streak and egos to match. I thought the show was bad when egomaniac "Randy" from Alabama was a judge, but now there are 2 of the 3 judges with something to prove. (Jeffrey Steele may be the least offensive of the judges this season.) (I apologize to all Alabama fans.)

Tonight, the judges seemed to be stuck on "Are the contestants really country or just pretending so they can get on the show?" What is country music anyway? There have been country artists crossover to pop for decades and country artists have remade pop music on a country label (Blake Shelton example tonight). I believe that Jewel just had her first country album this year. A lot of music that used to be pop/rock and roll is now played on country radio stations. Not to mention that real grassroots country is no longer being played!

I personally think that country music is from the heart and founded in faith. Maybe the judges should be a lot more real and a lot less American Idol-like.

And the host, PLEASE! Does Billy Ray really want to say what he says every week? If I were him, I would stand up and say "NO, let's be better than this."

i am sick and tired of watching jewel critique and mainly dis these people. this entire show is a joke. but she is unreal. she knows nothing and i mean NOTHING about country music. she cant sing it either. go back to LA jewel. hell, go back to alaska. she may be making records but i damn guarantee you it aint country. she aint country. she never will be.
shut up jewel. we're not buying into your "professional advice" look at your damn self and your pathetic vibrato- worse lyrics
ewww

billy ray cyrus wins the award for worst tv host of all time. he is HORRIBLE.

the state of the nashville music industry is in trouble. sales at an all time low. to make things worse, this show comes along and makes this town look silly. There are people walking down lower broad at his moment who sing circles around these contestants-. they are at best , good karaoke singers. these people are hideous. this is pure comedic relief. laughable

nashville deserves better.

i agree!!!!! please!!!! she does not work! she can co host ok but as a judge she sucks!! please find someone else

If anyone at NBC is reading this, I don't want to be mean, but, GET RID OF JEWEL!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She doesn't make sense! Find someone else, the other two judges make sense and give constructive criticism for the most part. Let her co host again, but PLEASE remover her as a judge!!!!!!