yes they did make a huge mistake, matt was the greatest, i cant believe nichole is still on and he is gone, i bet if hank was the judge he would still be in the running, casey is great also it would have been a tough decision, but nichole, come on fans were were you last night?

Last night I fell down at the Chris Young altar and worshipped his rendition of "Folsom Prison Blues." Oh, wait, that was MATT MASON.

Okay, so I'm just starting trouble. I would like to hear Chris sing Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors." I think he should and will win. I posted the following in some other threads. People got mad. I hurt. I cried. But I added some suggestions.

"If opining is whining then give be a Pabst Blue Ribbon. I think some of you missed the boat here. I am not saying Chris Young is not talented, he deserves to win. He is the total package. As for Indie acts not writing hits, you might go back to some of George Strait's early hits written by Dean Dillon. Austin is just as important as Nashville in producing great talent; Radney Foster, Rodney Crowell, Kris Kristofferson, Kelly Willis, Phil Vassar, and many others have all been there and done that."

"A lot of fans didn't like Jody Evans because they felt he was too hooked on the iconography of artists he admired. If you have seen "Always...Patsy Cline," it may be worth a thought that the Buddy Holly play is getting rave reviews, and Evans (who does write some great songs if you check out his website) will bring the appropriate energy to the part."

"As for stupid, take it for what it is. It may sound harsh, but it's simply an observation that there are too many people throwing votes loosely around when their choice hits the bricks. If the game's over, I choose to fold my hand and stick to principle. I still don't think Nicole should be there at this point, I don't think the contest is rigged (I just don't believe Jared and Matt showed the same enthusiasm that Chris and Casey have in playing to the crowd), and I won't buy a Chris Young record for the same reason I won't buy a Chesney, McGraw, or Adkins record. It isn't what I prefer. (Personally, I don't like the Muzik Mafia thing either.)"

"So it is. And, by the way, can you name a song by any of those artists I mentioned? Chris is talented. But I'm an old working man who grew up on the old stuff. I didn't mean to chap anybody's hide."

"Dang."

And, for what it's worth, I don't think a two minute sound byte about Buck Owens qualifies any contestant as a roots musician. I think maybe the show should be written differently. Here's the idea:

All contestants get to sing each week, with voting at the end of the show. They stay until the last episode, which finally reveals the winner and the total number each received through the course of the show.

Episode One: songs of the 40's
Episode Two: songs of the 50's
Episode Three: songs of the 60's
Episode Four: songs of the 70's
Episode Five: songs of the 80's
Episode Six: songs of the 90's
Episode Seven: original song
Episode Eight: current top 40
Episode Nine: reveal three runners-up and the winner, who all get to kisk off the NS tour with a live performance right there.

In all, everyone "wins." Each contestant gets maximum exposure for any record executives tuned in, traditional fans get music they like, young country fans get music they like, and the format keeps viewers tuned in until the final week. I think it will also work to expose an artist's range and weaknesses.

I like it. Jimmie Rodgers likes it. You probably like it. And Eddie Rabbitt likes it. Plus, I get some creative credits.

And we will all get along.

i agree 100% there is no doubt that casey and chris are ubertalented but matt deserved to be in that final show with them... i have a feeling i know why so many people voted for nicole but she does not deserve to be there... even kristen was better than she is... and matt has kicked her ass every show... this is a shame and a lot of people out there should go and crawl back in the hole they must have been hiding under until they decided to come out and vote for the wrong contestant

My mom and I both watch the show, she called me screaming when Nicoles name was called. I was annoyed when Kristen went home before Nicole. I was, well angry when Jared went home before Nicole. Now that Matt has gone home before Nicole, I'm down right pissed as well. I don't think I've ever been shocked this much by the outcome of a TV show.

I THINK MATT WOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOU I HOPE HE'S A BETTER SPORT THAN YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE WHAT IS REPRESENTING HIM AND YOU'RE JUST MAKING HIM LOOK BAD.