Wednesday, October 29, 2003

For television viewers who liked their vocal talent shows without the intrusion of Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest, "Nashville Star" was a godsend last spring. It also launched the career of Buddy Jewell, whose single and album have topped the country charts. USA Network will launch a new season of "Nashville Star" on March 6.

"Access Hollywood" co-anchor Nancy O'Dell will return to her hosting duties and the show's winner will again receive a contract with Sony Music Nashville.

"Nashville Star" will again begin with auditions in 25 cities, followed by a premiere episode in which 20 contestants are narrowed down to 10 finalists. Those finalists will share a house for the duration of the competition, doing weekly live performances of both original songs and covers. Viewers at home vote on the finalists, leading up to the climactic showdown.

Jewell, last season's winner, saw his self-titled debut enter the Billboard country charts at No. 1, and his first single, "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)," was a major hit.

(Zap2it.com)

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