From kenoshanews.com:
Country music fans are probably the toughest music critics around.
Skepticism was elevated hours before Jessica Simpson’s debut country performance, opening for Sara Evans, Saturday night at Country Thunder. With only one country single released, fans doubted if the pop diva could stack up against other country music acts.
“Just because she’s dating Tony Romo it doesn’t make her country,” said Mike Rodriguez, 31, from Lake Geneva. “She doesn’t fit in with country, and I’ll have to drink a lot of beer to sit through her concert.”
Zach Schlodt, 19, of Palatine, Ill., agreed. Simpson’s heart isn’t in country music, and she is just banking on the genre’s current popularity, he said.
“She’s an embarrassment to country music,” he added.
The Texas native’s first pop single “I Wanna Love You,” debuted in 1999. Over the past several years, the songstress has attained superstardom.
Her country single was released this summer; however, her album is not due until Sept. 9.
The crowd welcomed Simpson with a mixture of boos and cheers Saturday night. She strutted onto the stage in Daisy Duke shorts, a white button-down shirt and cowboy boots as she sang a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walking.”
Her set included several cover songs, such as Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Shania Twain’s “Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?”
She also belted out songs featured on her upcoming album called “Do You Know,” including the single “Come On Over.”
To the disappointment of many audience members, she also sang one of her pop hits “With You.”
So the question remains: Did Simpson prove herself?
It didn’t sit well with audience members that Simpson played after a more established country singer, Kellie Pickler.
Many audience members found her attempt to crossover into country irritating and that her vocals lacked a southern sound.
“I just don’t hear the country in her; I don’t hear the twang. She’s not good enough to be here,” said Adam Matos, 21, from Arlington Heights, Ill.
One man summed her performance up in a single word.
“It’s crap,” said Ryan Sia, 28, from East Troy. “She doesn’t belong here.”
But there were a few die-hard Simpson supporters in the crowd.
“I actually like her country songs better. She has a great voice, plus, she’s adorable,” said Mary Grace, 24, from Mundelein, Ill.
Simpson seemed aware of the tension.
“I don’t know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I’m just a girl from Texas; I’m just like you. I’m doing what I love and dating a boy,” Simpson said.
And it doesn’t sound like Simpson is treating country music like a momentary diversion; before exiting the stage she announced she has no plans to produce a pop album again.
