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Sunday July 20, 2008

Jessica Simpson’s foray into country music isn’t going as well as expected.

The former ‘Newly Weds’ star made her debut country performance, opening for Sara Evans, at the Country Thunder Festival in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, on Saturday night — and received harsh criticism from much of the crowd.

As she took to the stage, Jessica was greeted by the audience with a mixture of cheers and boos.

Aware of the tension, she told the crowd, “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.”

She then began her set, which 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 “Do You Know” album, as well as one of her old pop hits, “With You.”

Country music fans, of course, are amongst the toughest critics around.

“Just because she’s dating Tony Romo it doesn’t make her country,” Mike Rodriguez, 31, told local newspaper the Kenosha News. “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, agreed, adding that Simpson’s heart isn’t in country music, and she is just banking on the genre’s current popularity. “She’s an embarrassment to country music,” he said.

“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.

One man summed her performance up in a single word.

“It’s crap,” said Ryan Sia, 28. “She doesn’t belong here.”

However, the reviews weren’t all bad.

“I actually like her country songs better. She has a great voice, plus, she’s adorable,” said Mary Grace, 24.

Jessica’s country single was released this summer; however, her album is not due until Sept. 9.