Can You Duet – The Finale!

By On 08/10/2009 · 7 Comments · In Uncategorized

It was a fairly predictable, but satisfying ending to the CMT series Can You Duet (produced by the Idol peeps, 19 and Freemantle). The duo winning the record contract with judge Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records is…

Steel Magnolia, featuring Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones.

JB Rocket, featuring 18-year old Jonathan Cox and Ai Season 7 Top 50 contestant Brandon Green featured Jonathan’s sweet vocals coupled with Brandon on harmonies and guitar. Brandon also contributed the songs sung during the original song rounds. The duo had a pleasing country pop/vibe and catchy tunes. They could make Big Machine some money…

But I was rooting for the edgier duo, Steel Magnolia. Meghan and Joshua make magic when the harmonize. They’ve also got some pretty hot chemistry going on between the two of them.

Their first single, “Keep On Loving You” is available at Rhapsody.com and Big Machine Records.

Videos and Recap after the JUMP…

There are two rounds – First Round: the duos sing original songs Round Two: the duos meet with judge and head of Big Machine Records, Scott Borchetta to pick their individual winners’ singles to perform on the show.

JB Rocket – Jonathan Cox and Brandon Green (Top 50, Idol Season 7) were put together by the judges early in the competition. Big Kenny is impressed by how far they’ve come in just a few short months. Brandon tears up as he talks about how making the Top 2 was the happiest moment of his life. Their original song, written by Brandon, is a winner–on the poppy side of country, super catchy and radio friendly. Scott really likes it. Jonathan is the vocal star of this duo, but Brandon brings some impressive songwriting skills.

Steel Magnolia – Not only do these two have some pretty hot chemistry going on between them, but they’ve both got unique edgy vocals and impressive songwriting skills. While JB Rocket are pop, Steel Magnolia has the alt/country thing going on. I really dig that. I’d actually buy a CD from these two.

Caitlin and Will – “Address in the Stars”. The winners of the first season of Can You Duet aren’t my cup of tea musically, but wow, Caitlin can sang. Naomi is crying.

JB Rocket go over a few potential singles with Scott Borchetta in his office at Big Machine Records. They decide on “America is a Tough Town”. Slick pop/country song, upbeat with a rock edge. Nice guitar solo from Brandon! If these guys get signed, Brandon should have a hand in the songwriting–he’s pretty good.

Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Loving You” is the single they choose with Scott. Holy crap, these two can sing. And it’s not as if they have technically perfect voices–they’re unique, passionate and charismatic. Awesome. They better win. JB Rocket are talented pop/country/rockers but Steel Magnolia are stars.

Elimination – The judges headed back stage to decide the winner. But it’s a no-brainer. It was obvious from week one who deserved to win the competition. That’s the thing when there’s no viewer voting. The element of surprise is non-existent. So yes, the winner is…Steel Magnolia.

But all is not lost for JB Rocket–Scott tells the boys he’s got their phone numbers, so maybe he’ll sign both.

 
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  • http://huckleberryfriend.wordpress.com/ huckleberryfriend

    I love Meghan’s blues voice, but she doesn’t go there often enough for me. Would love to hear her do a couple of blues songs. Love Caitlin & Will – Cait’s voice just pierces through you and Will’s mellows it out.

  • 10DogMom

    I agree re Meghan’s voice – told my husband she’s wasted on country. Bumming over the boys, but hoping they will get picked up soon by someone – Brandon’s song-writing abilities seem to be pretty darn awesome.

  • tierbee

    This was a great top 2 – really enjoyed this show this year, even though I watched most of it here at MJ’s :) . I did catch the last 2 weeks of the show on TV. I *love* Steel Magnolia and I think JB Rocket is going to do very well, they are great, too. Brandon does seem to be quite the songwriter!

    I watched some of the season when Caitlin & Will were on there… I love Caitlin’s voice, it’s gorgeous.

  • GEORGI

    I love Steel Magnolia — haven’t heard anyone like them. Both singers have strengths. They could be big, but in my opinion, their name is pretty blah. They’re edgy but their name is a cliche. Now’s the time to change…

  • sylvanaire

    I really liked JB Rocket and hope Scott signs them too, but Steel Magnolia was the right winner. I thought both original songs were good, but JB Rocket’s was sort of repetitive, they needed to work on the lyrics a little more, imo. And the debut single that they chose sounded very much like Brooks & Dunn, but again with the repetitive lyrics. I thought SM choice was a much better song, and they performed the h*ll out of it!

    I’ve had trouble warming up to Meghan, I can’t say just why, but she seems a little off-putting, personality wise. But there is no questioning she has a fabulous voice, and, knows what to do with it, which is huge. So congrats to her and Josh. They have a good chance to have a great career, I think. Good for them.

    As far as last years winners, I didn’t like them then, and couldn’t make it all the way through the song they performed on the finale this year. Blech. Very bland.

    I do think it was a fun show to watch, even if the predictability factor is high. I hope they do it again next year!

  • TylerWV

    I love Steel Magnolia and esp. loved their original song, Here Comes Love. Its so catchy and I cant quit singing it. They sizzle on stage and her vocals are soooooo powerful and he is soooo sexy. I think these two will go far. Picked them as winners from first audition. JB Rocket are very good, esp considering the length of time they sang together. I think Scott is going to sign them as well. Season 1 and 2 have been ratings bonanza for CMT so Im sure there will be a season 3. Scott signed 4th place finishers last year and gets his choice of the duos this year, so Im thinking he might be up for another year as judge and label for the winner. Anyone that can take Taylor Swift and make her a superstar should put Steel Magnolia through the stratsophere. Only thing about Steel Magnolia is the name. Theres a gospel/country group on itunes with the same name thats been around for a while.

  • jodeb

    I have watched every episode of this show since its beginning and Caitlin and Will sent it through the roof with their Faith And Tim cover “Like We Never Loved Before” and then slammed the victory with Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy.”

    Caitlin’s voice is amazing and Will mellows her out. Their “Address in the Stars” should be a huge hit. I hear it every day on my country station. I wish Scott Borchetta had them, he certainly knows how to promote a singer. Who could have predicted that Taylor Swift would be the star she is?

    My favorites were/are Jonathan and Brandon. I think they are special and will also be signed by Scott. I think he would be foolish not to. They certainly are more timely than Steel Magnolia, IMO, and would attract the young girl singers and make Scott even more money (he already has plenty from Taylor Swift, no doubt, lol)

    The only thing that *disappointed* me a bit was the song that Scott chose for Jonathan and Brandon (for their first single, if they had won) “America’s a Tough Town” is a decent song for an older duet. I would have given the two cute young guys some kind of love song that would drive the girls crazy. They certainly have the appearance for it. But, then again, who am I to disagree with the man who made Taylor Swift one of the biggest stars in town?

    I hate to say it, but Meghan just looks so old fashioned to me. Although knowing Scott’s business expertise, I can just see her in her first video with *long blonde extensions* bringing her into the Coppola/Taylor Swift world of Scott’s stable of Blondes with lots of hair. lol.

    Good luck to both groups. I really like this show and appreciate MJ’s covering it, so I can watch it again.