Prilosec Nashville Star Search at the CMafest

Nashville Star, Prilosec and CMAfest set out this year to find a Nashville Star a bit early on in the game by offering a guaranteed slot in next years Regional competition by offering an early competition held during this years CMAfest.

This early competition was limited to accepting only the first 200 entries into the first round held on June 8th at the Convention Center so there were a few hopefuls setting up camp late Tuesday night determined to get into the audition on Wednesday Morning. We can tell you that when we drove by there were at least 50 or so people already lined up at the doors by 8am Wednesday morning. Out of the 200 hopefuls only 12 would advance to the finals held on June 9th in the CMA Music Festival's Family Zone.

Thursday Morning the finals kicked off at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Stage at the Hall Of Fame Park with Billy Block (Western Beat) was the announcer and host for the day. Billy Block opened up the show and then introduced the Judges-
Phil Vassar
Anastasia Brown
Jason Meadows

Jason Meadows then took the stage wearing his wranglers, cowboy hat and even a brass buckle. He performed one of his traditional tunes "100% Cowboy". Yes, I'd say that Jason really is a true bonified Cowboy and this song fits him to perfection.

Billy then began announcing the contestants and making the top twelve spots for Thursday's finals, in order of appearance were:

Eldon Huff (Kingston Springs, Tennessee)
• -"Keep your Hands to yourself"

Lauren Webb (Montgomery, Alabama)
• -"I would've loved you anyway"

Angela McCall (Pegram, Tennessee)
• - "Your no good"

Kyle Long (Nashville, Tennessee)
• - "I miss Mayberry"

Kristin Tenaj (Mt Juliet, Tennessee)
• - "Heads Carolina, Tails California"

Paul Dawson (Missoula, Montana)
• - "Almost Home"

Kassie Miller (Antioch, Tennessee)
• - "The way You Love Me"

Jamey Baysinger (Hermitage, Tennessee)
• - "Take it Easy"

Sara Buchanan (Nashville, Tennessee)
• - "Independence Day"

Nick Moody (Dyersburg, Tennessee)
• - "Brokenheartsville"*

Britt Kuerte (Goodlettsville, Tennessee)
• -"I would've loved you anyway"

Hana Steven (Not announced)
• - "Heads Carolina, Tails California"

All 3 of the judges critiqued each finalists after their performance and in all honesty the judges were pretty nice in their responses to the contestants because a few of the contestants were pretty awful, a few were really nervous, a few had very limited stage experience and a few just made poor song selections.
But alas, after listening to all of the performers two of them defiantly stood out to us and they were; Angela McCall, and Kassie Miller.
Angela performed "Your no Good" without missing a beat and really took control of the audience and the stage.
Kassie's performed the upbeat song; "The Way You Love Me" and connected with the crowd with a spunky and playful stage presence.

The judging, unlike the televisions series, didn't include the eliminating of any of the contestants, on a one by one basis. The judges listened to all of the contestants and after each one performed each judge made their comments and then after all 12 had performed and been critiqued the judges left their seats and went back stage to decide on one winner…..

Billy Block then introduced Jody Evans to the stage and Jody performed "Sittin' Pretty". I was impressed with Jody's performance, he is one of the few performers, I know of, that can actually make their instrument a true part of them while performing and Jody does just that!

The judges then came back and announced the winner: Angela McCall from Pegram Tennessee

About Angela McCall:

Yes, to all of ya'll HHS Grads and Indians, Angela Phillips McCall did graduate from Harpeth High School in 2003 and Angela was the performer who sang the national anthem at many of HHS sporting events. Angela is currently married to Jordan McCall. Angela, like many newcomers, has been working at promoting her career and songwriting skills.

Audition Highlights

Saddest Moment of the Show: -One of the youngest contestants got nervous dropped his microphone and couldn't recoup himself enough to give a good performance, which may have gotten him to the regionals. Remember that "Everybody and I mean everybody has an off day, don't let this stop you from going after your dreams."

Funniest Moment of the Show: Midway thru the show Phil Vasser stepped out for a "Prilosec Moment" and a surprised Jody Evans was literally grabbed up from back stage and put in as Phil's replacement as a judge for one of the contestant's performance.