Melissa Lawson is the New Nashville Star!
The 32-year-old mom of five now prepares for her performance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 12th. Her debut single, "What If It All Goes Right" will be released to Country radio on August 5th. Besides winning the title, Lawson won a record contract with Warner Bros. Records, and she will have her debut album produced by John Rich, and as stated above, she will perform at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 12th. The performance on August 12th will be telecast on the "Today" show.
After five seasons on the cable network, USA Network, this was the first year for the show to be broadcast on NBC. The finalists were chosen by NBC execs, which caused some concern among the judges, as a few of the choices were questionable. But in the end, America chose the right Top 3 finalists, and Melissa will make a wonderful Nashville Star. Let's hope she has better luck than her predecessors.
Is Winning a Curse?
First season winner, Buddy Jewel started off strong, with a gold album, but his second album fell short, and he was dropped from the label. He has another independent release due out later this year, called My Little Jewell.
Second season winner, Brad Cotter released one album that went nowhere, and he too disappeared off the charts, and was dropped by the label. He has since been signed by Adobe Road Records, and is working on another album.
Season three winner was a female star with spunk and a huge voice. Erika Jo seemed to have it all. She was young, good looking, and had a great voice. Three things that seem to be a requirement for stardom in country music. But, her first single, "I Break Things" never went anywhere. She's currently writing for her second cd, and looking for another record deal.
Season four winner was the extremely talented Chris Young. Chris had a huge backing even before making one performance on the show, and has released one album, and is recording a second, to be released later this year. His current single is called "Voices."
Season five winner Angela Hacker was country as they come, but her Walmart-issued album never really sparked much interest.
Can Melissa Lawson break the curse? Let's hope so. She's extraordinarily talented, and I will be listening for her music on my local station, and requesting her songs. I can't wait to hear her album.
Related Links:
I'm working on uploading pages with the songs the finalists performed each week, in case you'd like to download the original versions. That will be available on our Wednesday morning update.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to post a recap of Episode 9, as my NBC channel wasn't coming in more than a faint snow, and my VCR didn't want to tape. The joys of receiving tv reception through an antenna. :/
Photo © NBC Universal
Comments
I voted for Melissa every week lots of times. I am so excited that she wone Nashville star. She is so beautiful and talented. I love you Melissa.
I thought you did a beautiful job at this article. it was nice too know what happened to all the other winners of Nashville star. I know of Kris Young but I don’t remember the young lady mentioned after Angela Hake. I love this article and you work hard on doing a good job. You should get an award. Angelina
My husband and I loved Melissa Lawson from the 1st time she opened her mouth on the show , so I guess we can be considered her 1st fans , we voted a million times for her (we just lost count)besides her voice we were touched by her love of family .
I have watched Nashville Star every season and I’m disappointed that the artists don’t seem to get much recognition. Not like AI. I understand because NS was always shown on USA network and wasn’t shown world wide like AI. Chris Young has been opening for Martina McBride and is finally being seen by a lot of people. His new CD that will be out in October is going to be phenominal. He has a duet with Willie Nelson on the old Waylon tune Rose in Paradise and will have a remake of Rainy Night in Georgia. Everything I have heard of this new CD is wonderful. I hope you will do a review of this and also Voices Chris’s new single in at #40 on Blair Garner’s countdown. It is at #37 on Mediabase and is being played on 135 stations. I think once people start hearing Chris he will be the big star he deserves to be. James Stroud is producing Chris’s second CD.
Sharon, we did review Chris’single “Voices” on the site:
New Country Singles
Will be reviewing the album too when it’s released. I’m a big fan of Chris myself, and agree with everything you’ve said about him.
Shel
I agree she does have a great voice but gabe is totally country and should have won the competition.I think she will do well but gabe will out sell her and go to the top.