Nashville Star: Coffey Talk
Coffey Anderson (first name pronounced "Caw-FAY") is definitely one to watch this season on Nashville Star. First of all, this actor/model/street musician/soul singer is a personality-plus-plus-plus. Second, he's a rare African American in country music, which is much needed. Third, the man can saanng.
And fourth, the guy has already coined THE catchphrase for the season, when he told the judges last night (defending some of his corny-bravado mannerisms): "Everything's better with cheese!"
I agree--I personally like a little cheese mixed in with my Coffey, for flava. Which brings me to these awesomely flava-ful viral videos I just found of this tall, dark, and handsome urban cowboy.
Sure, when Coffey crooned a soulful rendition of Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" last night on the season 6 premiere of Nashville Star, he was great, one of the best of the night. But I appreciate an artist with diversity--and bravery--and any country singer willing to tackle tunes by Rihanna (with an Andre 3000 tribute snippet thrown in!!), Akon, Leona Lewis, and Colbie Caillat is a diverse and brave artist indeed.
I do hope he branches out with some leftfield cover-song selections as the show progresses. Such choices might alienate more closed-minded country purists, but they'll surely secure my vote.
Here are some hot Coffey clips to give you a buzz:
Singing Rihanna's "Umbrella":
Singing Akon's "Locked Up":
Singing Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love":
Singing Colbie Caillat's "Realize":
Will country fans accept an unorthodox artist like Coffey? That remains to be seen, but I think he just might be the man to bridge country with the pop/R&B/hip-hop worlds in a way that Nashville Star judge John Rich's protégé (and host N-Star host), Cowboy Troy, could not.
More cheese, please!
Just wanted to put in a word. I definately am picking Coffey to win. I liked the little girl duo and the Lady that finished was good. My sleeper is the Navy guy. After that the contestants were pretty bad. I cannot believe that was the best 12 acts they could find in the whole country world.
As far as the cuts, I definately think they picked the wrong person, the 3 sisters were very bad and off key. To bring back Mr. Randy Jackson (who got on my nerves this year) but they were so pitchy that they should have gotten a call from the Yankees. They were just not good in a class of bad they were the worst and I believe they got to stay cuz the judges know that America loves little kids over a 30 something Cowboy from Wisconsin.
Lastly, maybe it was just me but the other girl in the bottom 2 was a very scary looking lady. She reminded me of devil lady from Days of our Lives back in the 90's.
We know that John Rich will be backing that concept!
Melissa was absolutely Amazing! I was disappointed that Charlie was knocked off by the judges instead of the young sister trio or the two teen best friends. Charlie was much better singer, even if he was a Garth look alike.
GABE WAS THE BEST!
I like his voice the best and that he had really good family values. I hope he wins
Cant wait to watch next monday
I'm not a fan of country music per se, but I do know Nashville. The music factories in Nashville are not interested in diversity. Nashville sounded pretty much the same for about 30 years. It finally changed when a rock producer by the name of Mutt Lange took Shania Twain's music into the realm of 10 million records with her debut. He wasn't very liked when he came to town, but after he married country instruments with a more polished pop rock sound and a beautiful woman.. and made millions of dollars with it, everyone in Nashville started doing it. It's been almost 15 years since that album, and the sound of country music hasn't changed a bit since then. Every song has the same sound, the same mixes, same harmonies, the same 20 studio musicians, and the same chord progressions. It's a big cookie cutting machine. There is little diversity in the country music scene, and little room for creativity if you want airplay. That's not to say that there's no talent in country...that couldn't be further from the truth. But the business of country music is what it is, and you take a pretty big risk when you go outside the box. The country labels aren't too big on change, and neither are most of the fans.
Coffey seems like a talented guy, but I don't think he will make it as a "country" artist. If he goes far in the competition and gets the exposure, I see him getting a shot with a more mainstream/R&B kind of sound.
I give it to the big gal at the end...she can siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnng!
Judging on the first performances on the show, the only two that fit the bill both vocally and in the right genre, are Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson. That's my opinion anyway.
In my interview with Third Town, by the way, the predicted Melissa will win. At least they are realistic and humble about it!
Top three are Gabe, Mellisa and Coffey, I think Gabe has the best "Country" sound, but I gotta root for someone from my Alma Mater, therefore Coffey gets my vote
BTW, Which College?