NASHVILLE, TN. (www.2005NashvilleStarTour.com) - The 2005 Nashville Star Tour is firing-up the bus engines and preparing to embark on a multi-city, summer tour beginning Friday, June 17. Country music fans, many of whom anxiously watched and enthusiastically participated in voting during the USA Network's talent search television series this spring, will get to experience 'Nashville Star's' live music road show in markets across the United States and Canada. The show will feature four artists: Universal South recording artist
Erika Jo, the season's pick as the next country music superstar, and runners up Jason Meadows, Jody Evans, and Jayron Weaver.
'We're excited to be producing this tour,' notes Brinson Strickland of 262 Five, Ltd., the company responsible for managing all elements of the traveling show. 'Fans will get to see all four finalists performing together and in full musical sets. They'll get to share the excitement and energy of the television series, only this time, in-person. You could say, `It's the TV show come-to-life!''
Performers will appear in reverse order of their finishes on the television show. As the winner, Erika Jo will close each show, preceded by Meadows, Evans, and Weaver. Members of the Nashville Star Band, the same group from the TV series, will be out on the tour backing up each artist. Each show will run approximately 90 minutes.
Currently there are 23 shows confirmed along with the possibility of a run through Canada. The William Morris Agency is booking the tour. 'We've had an outstanding response to this show,' says Rob Beckham, the William Morris Agency's responsible agent for the tour. 'We're adding dates quickly and expect this tour to be even more successful than the 2004 tour.' The show is heading out for North Dakota, Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, Michigan, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, New York, Alabama, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
'Certainly the show itself is exciting,' adds Kyle Gustie of 262 Five, Ltd., 'but, fans will have a chance to get up close and personal with the 2005 Nashville Star Tour performers. All four artists will be available for media interviews and meet-and-greet autograph sessions in each city. There will be 'Nashville Star' merchandise available, CDs and items from each individual artist.'
'Nashville Star,' airing for the third straight season on the USA Network, is a combination talent search and reality series that aims to find the next country music superstar. Contestants are judged by industry executives and artists. Fan viewers also help determine the weekly survivors through telephone and online voting.
Erika Jo. Country music's newest queen. From beauty pageants to performing regularly with her father's band, Erika Jo has covered an amazing amount of territory to be so young. She's traveled across much of the United States performing; she's played weddings, private parties, and public events; and, she's even performed on the Grand Ole Opry. Now she's been gifted with a rare opportunity. The chance to spin the wheel-of-superstardom in hopes of her number landing on the top of the charts.
Jason Meadows. The eye-pleasing fellow with piercing blue eyes, who wears his cowboy hat slightly off center. Meadows took the hat advice from his grandpa: 'Never trust a man who wears his hat straight!' That same wise man taught Meadows to play the fiddle and the harmonica during the summers they spent together working the fields on his grandpa's farm. He's a singer. He's a songwriter. He's a musician. He's a model example of the newest breed of country music traditionalist.
Jody Evans. A police officer from Arkadelphia, Arkansas who sports his own hybrid of retro rockabilly music. That style was formed when, as a toddler, he was rocked to sleep to the sounds of Elvis Presley. Other heroes in his life included Clark Kent, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly, all reflected in his sound or his look. He's won talent contests. He's recorded at the world-famous Sun Studios. And during 'Nashville Star,' he found his way into the hearts of the land.
Jayron Weaver. Everyone's buddy. He likes to 'hang out' with his friends and enjoys driving his truck (too fast) out in the country and around his hometown of Dallas, Georgia. As a music minister, he works tirelessly on the musical lineup for his church. Just 22 years old, Weaver has won numerous singing contests including being named Best New Vocalist in Georgia prior to his participation in 'Nashville Star.' Of his professional music career, Weaver says, 'I'm just getting started.'
The 2005 'Nashville Star' winner received a recording contract with Universal South, along with other prizes. Buddy Jewel, the cream of the 2003 'Nashville Star' crop has scored several chart-topping singles and a Gold album since being crowned the 2003 'Nashville Star' champion.
For additional tour information, visit the www.2005NashvilleStarTour.com website.
