TV Watch

Jewel: Husband Ty Murray Knows He’s Not the Best Dancer

05/11/2009 at 12:00 AM EDT

Singer Jewel says she knows exactly what it's going to take to keep her husband, rodeo star Ty Murray, waltzing through as Dancing with the Stars moves closer to its big finish: "The fans."

"He knows he's not the best dancer," she told PEOPLE while attending the annual Race to Erase MS charity event on Saturday. "It's like comparing apples and oranges for him with the other dancers. He's just a cowboy. So you're watching a guy go from zero and seeing how far he can get… And I guess you've got to just pick your horse and what you like as a fan."

What has clearly struck a chord with viewers at home is Murray's endearing, straightforward personality -- the same qualities that won over Jewel.



"My husband's is one of the most genuine, authentic you will ever meet," she said. "He really IS John Wayne. He means what he says and does what he means. I feel really blessed that I got to meet him in my life and have him as my partner. And I'm just really glad America's getting to know this guy that has these values."

As for how Murray is coping going into Monday's DWTS semi-finals, Jewel says: "He just wants to do as good as he can. He's actually a lot calmer than I am going through this process. There are no emotional ups and downs, whereas I think I would be more of a basket case." --Scott Huver

MORE: Get your complete DWTS coverage here. Peter Kramer/AP