Nashville Star 2: TheTop Twenty Contestants (cont.)

Austin Hanks
Austin is somewhat of a mystery man to us. He was born in Palmerdale Alabama and now lives in the L.A. area. It has been rumored that he is friends with former Nashville Star contestant Travis Howard and also hangs out with NS2 former contestant Levi Kreis. He has a wide range of musical taste including Counrty, Rock, Blues and even Gospel.
In the past he has played with acts like The Black Crows,, The Georgia Satellites, Widespread Panic, Jesus Jones, and even local Nashvillian, Peter Frampton.

Jennifer Hicks
In the Nashville Regionals Jennifer sang Jolene and her magical voice quieted the entire room. Jennifer grew up in Nashville and she is deep rooted within the Nashville Country Music scene. Locals may remember her performing, last fall, at Exit/In last fall in the annual Hank Williams Tribute hosted by Billy Block's Western Beat. She is a published and well liked songwriter.

Richie Jones
Richie Jones is from Hurley Mississippi and a 1993 graduate of East Central High School. Hehas in the past performed with Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence,Tanya Tucker, and even Hank Williams Jr.

Stephanie Urbina Jones- Withdrew
Born in San Antonio, Texas. Stephanie has spent some time living in Nashville. She graduated from UT Austin. She is also the co-writer of the bilingual "River of Love" performed by John Arthur Martinez on the premier season of Nashville Star.

Some of Stephanie performances have been held At these venues: Country Music Hall of Fame, National Americana Awards, Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic and even Fanfair.

Brent Keith
Brent Keith grew up in a town called Blanchester, right outside of Clarksville, Ohio. He has been performing on and off for about eight years.

Levi Kreis-Withdrew
Levi, originally from Tennessee, now lives in the LA Area. He graduated with a music industry degree from Belmont University in Nashville.

Nashvillians might remember him briefly in the late ninety's as songwriter in the Christian Music Industry. He has had several CD's released including "Rough Around the Edges, Progressions, and Not Afraid. Levi has an extensive theatrical history notables include: "One Red Flower: Letters From 'Nam" 2002, Don't Let Go (2001) Southern Baptist Sissies and he can also be seen in the 2001 movie "Frailty".

Brennen Leigh
Brennan, who currently resides just outside of Austin, is originally from Moorhead Minnesota; her parents still live and work there.

Brennen assumed her middle name as a stage name, her last name is really Hulbert. She travels and usually performs with her brother Seth. They have done extensive road trips in the past, including a stop in Nashville.

Some of you might remember Brennen winning a singing contest at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. She has performed heavily in Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota.

Matthew Lindahl
Matt lives in Boone, North Carolina and currently washes cars for a living. He started writing songs, while living in a little trailer, during the days he visited and worked (for several seasons) on his Grandfather's farm picking fruit.

Matt has played with the band The Cold Mountain Rhythm Band. During the Nashville Regional's he was dressed in Bib-overalls and played the washboard while singing Folsom Prison Blues, the crowd went wild…Tracy Gershon told him "I don't know what to do with you, but I love you.

See the Rest of Top Twenty Contestants on Page 4