Nashville, TN -
"Nashville Star" contestant Matt Lindahl always looked a little different to us, from his first performance in Dickies overalls back in March to the grand finale on May 1, where he was among three finalists for the top prize.
Matt wowed the audience with his original song "Jump Off the Bridge," but after winning week after week, he lost out (despie over 4 million votes), on the final show, to Brad Cotter who won the top prize
Matt Lindahl proved to be a surprisingly formidable entrant in the Second Annual Nashville Star Competition, but he had something the other contestants on the USA Network series Nashville Star lacked: An ability to have fun with the nationally televised talent contest. 
While the other contestants looked more and more nervous as the competition narrowed, Matt looked to be enjoying himself immensely.
One of the biggest dilemmas, in trying to make it in the country music business, is how to stand out from the crowd and fit in, at the same time. With his bright red ball cap, overalls, and slightly goofy sense of humor, Matt definitely stands out from the crowd. But with a deep-seated knowledge of country music’s tradition in gospel and bluegrass, he fits in 
with the new style of country that is closer to the realism of the Carter Family than the sequined pop of, say, Shania Twain.
After thanking the audience for giving him the "big bronze" he received some great compliments from the judges who said they looked forward to his next album. Matt probably has a brighter future in the O Brother, Where Art Thou school of country music than he does in the Brooks & Dunne boots & hat school of Nashville pop. But maybe that’s why the fans kept voting for him week after week in USA Network’s televised Nashville Star contest.
