YOU BE THE
WINNER
To add to the fun of viewing
the shows, NMG will have a $100 Cash drawing for those who predict
the winner. To participate simply write down the name of who you think
will be the 2006 Nashville Star on the back of a business card (hopefully
yours or the wrong person will get the dough). Mail your enty to NASHVILLE
STAR DRAWING, c/o Nashville Music Guide, POB 100234, Nashville, Tn
37224-0234. Your mailed in entry must be postmarked April 17th or
earlier to be eligible. Rules: one entry per person. Drawing winner
agrees to have photo taken with editor presenting the “cool” hundred
bill to winner of drawing.
MUSIC OR FOOTBALL
On March 7th, before the music started, you could have sworn you were
at a football pep rally in the Acuff rose theatre. The packed standing
room only audience did everything but start a wave going. It was opening
night of Nashville Star, the first show of the reality series that
has captured the mind and soul of the American viewing public. The
10 finalists brought their own cheering sections who were strategically
placed by the show’s producers. When a contestant was announced, their
cheering group would hoot and holler, wave banners and dance in their
seats.
HOMETOWN FAVORITE
The hands down winner as far as cheering sections had to be Chris
Young. By sheer numbers he won. There must have been over 100 in his
cheering section and pandemonium would break out every time the name
of the Murfreesboro native and defacto home town favorite, was announced.
After performing his audition song “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall
off”, they almost blew the roof off. Thank God that the judges, along
with NMG, rated him as one of the best of the night. If they hadn’t,
there would have been a lynching.
Chris
has the pipes, looks and soul of a cowboy to make him the winner of
this year’s competition. If he can stand up to the pressure and write
as good as he sings, NMG puts their money on the home-town favorite
to win the top prize, an RCA Recording contract. Those who don’t win
can take consolation in that getting this far and the exposure on
the show will open up many doors for them and in most cases they will
be signed by other labels and get their chance. The public will choose
in the end who the real star is by whose records they buy.
CRITICISM
OF SHOW
The only dig NMG has with the reality
series is the elimination rules are different between the 1st show
and the remaining ones. On March 7th, elimination was based solely
on the opinions of the judges. On the other shows the public will
be voting via e-mail for their favorite. Competitions are fair if
the rules stay the same. Rating the judges on the March 7th show?
Mediocre at best. Anastasia Brown has a split personality vacillating
between “Miss I Love You” and “Miss I Hate You.” Phil Vassar was the
love judge, liking everyone. Someone should have told Big Kenny that
the show was more than just a party, and John Rich was the most credible
judge until he put his foot into his mouth by telling a contestant,
“You Are Not Country Enough”. This from the guy whose breakout
song was the rap tune, “Ride a Horse, Save a Cowboy.” NMG wishes good
luck to all the contestants, and may the best artist win.
THE
FINALISTS
Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice
president of original programming, announced this years finalists.
Matt Mason: Born in Pleasantville, IN, this 20 year-old is such a
"country boy" he doesn't even have email. Matt's first performance
was at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville and was attended by the
legendary Hank Williams, Jr.
Monique LeCompte: Monique is a 23 year-old
power vocalist who is dead set on becoming a star. She is from Grand
Terrace, CA and was raised by her grandparents who both recently passed
away. Monique works three jobs to make a living and still finds
time to pursue her dream of being a country music superstar
Jared Ashley:
A Hobbs, NM native, Jared brings his "been there done that" attitude
to the show. Jared joined the US Navy right out of high school and
served two tours in the Persian Gulf. He says he is ready to rival
Dierks Bentley for most frat houses played in America and has spent
the last 6 years looking for his big break.
Shy Blakeman: Shy is a
high-energy, southern-rock-infused 25 year-old from Laramie, WY bent
on changing the boundaries of country music. After being shot in the
face in an attempted car jacking in 2002, Shy approaches every show
as though it may be his last.
Jewels Hanson: The self-proclaimed "Female
Travis Tritt" from Freemont, CA quit her high-paying corporate job
for a shot at Nashville fame and fortune. The 31 year-old says she
never wants to work a desk job again.
Chris Young: Chris is a multi-talented
20 year-old with a flair for singing, song-writing and dancing. Chris
considers himself an expert at Line Dancing and Hip-Hop. He
is from Murfreesboro, TN and has a fan club of hundreds who follow
him religiously across the country.
Nicole Jamrose: A 33 year-old mother
of two from Schererville, IN, Nicole brings her folk- infused sound
to the show. Nicole's Nashville Star auditions marks her one and only
contention for any talent show title and was blown away to find out
that she will be one of the ten finalists.
Kristen McNamera: A 20 year-old
beauty from Napa Valley, Kristen brings a spirited personality and
a heart-tugging life story along with her powerful voice and self-written
songs. With a boyfriend in the US Army awaiting deployment to Iraq,
Kristen plans on wearing a yellow ribbon in every episode in support
of the US troops abroad.
Casey Rivers: Casey is a native of Lindale,
Texas and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Lindale's other NASHVILLE
STAR alum, Miranda Lambert. Casey is 23 and claims he briefly dated
Miranda in high school. He has already shared the stage with country
music greats Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson.
Melanie Torres: Melanie
is the 28 year-old ex-beauty queen from Terries, NM with a voice to
kill. She is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish, and wore the
Miss Albuquerque crown in 2000. After passing on the tiara, Melanie
moved to Nashville with nothing
in her bank account destined to make it big.
The winner of NASHVILLE
STAR will receive a recording contract from the RCA Label Group, home
to multi-platinum superstars Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Martina
McBride, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and Sara Evans among others.
NASHVILLE
STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced Ben Silverman ("The
Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The Restaurant," "30
Days"). Jeff Boggs serves as executive producer in association
with Reveille again for the second year. The show is produced
by Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live
at Yankee Stadium") and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside
co-executive producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out").
www.usanetwork.com/nashvillestar
