I pretty much agree with your review.
I'm worried a bit about Carrie being able to "pull it off."
She was easily the most talented and became my (and it appeared Simon's) favorite early on. But she's been picking pretty poor material. Once this thing heats up....in about 2 weeks, she'll have to be at peak to pull things off.
I watched Nashville Star last night. I was pulling for the Buddy Holly guy but he came in third. I wasn't a fan of the "cowboy" dude, but your take on Erika Jo was dead on!
Carrie could easily out sing her. But Erika Jo's got the "having fun" thing down pat! Carrie should take some lessons from her and she'd be a shoe in.
Absolutely. I think it comes down to experience. Erika Jo comes from a musical family. Her dad had his own band. She's been performing for 13 years and has fronted her own band. Experience does make a difference.
I think silent_jonny is right that Carrie is a bit frightened. If she could learn to relax and have fun with her music, that would translate to the audience.