Buffalo review: "For newer Nashville stars, it's the songs"

[north_clt]

Full article here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...08/1062654.asp

Best stuff about Kellie below. (I've highlighted some items for my comment below):

==

For newer Nashville stars, it's the songs

By ELMER PLOETZ
News Staff Reviewer
2/8/2007

The "Country Heart-Throbs" show in the University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts on Wednesday night was a chance for some of Nashville's newer stars show just what makes their music great.

It's the songs. And the voices. And not necessarily the Nashville production machine that puts them all out for consumption.

The good news is that the four young players - Kellie Pickler, Jake Owen, Steve Holy and Donovan Chapman - have the goods, and the acoustic set-up at the CFA stage was a great place to show it off.

You never know. Nashville is rife with stories about good-looking performers who have to be doctored in the studio to cover their deficiencies. But these four arrived without their bands, the musical version of "naked" (although each but Owen came with a couple of pickers to accompany them).

<< snipped here >>

Kellie Pickler seemed just as spontaneous as on her "American Idol" performances, and turned in a truly campy version of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." The girl can't help it, she was born to vamp onstage. And yes, she was wearing red high heels to go with her jeans, skull-print shirt and country hit of the same name.

Steve Holy, the veteran of the crew, seemed to serve as master of ceremonies, with a quip for any occasion and a pair of guitarists who showed that acoustics can still rock and roll. He also has perhaps the biggest hit and finished off the night with "I've Got a Brand New Girl Friend."

Twenty songs and 105 minutes went too fast, and there didn't appear to be any recording equipment capturing it for posterity - just memories of a night showing where the heart of country music lies.

[robert1848]

Thanks, Mike. I had just been on the website to look for this and couldn't find it under music reviews. Must have just been posted.

I listened a little on line this AM to WYRK and all they could talk about was Donovan Chapman. They were saying that when he was singing the three others on stage were in awe. All the callers were talking about him and no one even mentioned Kellie. I'm glad the reviewer gave her a good report.

I suspect that since the concert was on a college campus, that the type of music Donovan sang was more appealing. He apparantly did some crossover rock and rap type songs. Too bad someone didn't record it.

[north_clt]

This is yet another time where we've heard how wonderful Kellie sings "unplugged."

Well, it's timely for me, because I just happened to see another basher post claiming Kellie's CD only sounds good because it's been doctored using something called "auto-tuning" software.

I didn't get to hear this show, but I've seen her on "The View," listened to live broadcasts of the "Grand Ole Opry," heard her live on numerous radio shows, heard her sing the national anthem live twice, etc., all places where the music is completely undoctored.

I just want to remind everyone here that you don't have to put up with that basher crap about "auto-tuning."

Kellie has a unique and awesome voice. We can all be proud of her.

[No_Left_Turn]

it's says that there's another photo on page 10... can anybody get that other photo?

[sickpunk]

I was there! It was a good show. I wish I could of stayed around for the meet and greet after the show.

[werss]

Love it