Nashville stars launch talent searches

By Ken Tucker

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - As Nashville embraces music reality shows like "Nashville Star," "Gone Country," "Can You Duet" and "GAC Star," two country stars are taking a more old-school approach to discovering new talent.

Kenny Chesney is searching locally for opening acts for his Poets & Pirates 2008 Tour. The Big Star Competition, named for his 2003 hit "Big Star," is a series of talent contests seeking bands to open Chesney's show when it comes to their hometown. One grand-prize winner will be given a tour bus for the final weekend of the tour and open shows in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Tulsa, Oklahoma. That act will also receive $25,000 and the opportunity to audition for Sony BMG Nashville executives.

Stadium shows will feature a battle of the bands the night before the concert. For arena and auditorium concerts, there will be similar battles a couple of weeks earlier at a local club.

Meanwhile, John Rich is hosting a monthly "Get Rich" talent search at Nashville club 12th & Porter. In addition to reviewing submissions, Rich and associate Charlie Pennachio scour the Internet and other sources to find deserving talent. Each month, 10 acts perform in front of an industry panel of judges. The winner takes home $300 and a slot on the next month's show -- and gains exposure before label executives and other insiders.

"Anytime I see an artist out there struggling and I can do something to help them, why wouldn't I do that?" Rich says. "The bigger our business gets, the better it is for everybody. I take personal satisfaction in knowing that I had a hand in helping other people's careers."

Rich put together the show using his own money. "It dawned on me that there's nowhere in this town that the guy that's parking cars at Loew's Vanderbilt Hotel can get up onstage and do two songs in front of people that can change his life.

"It's a real simple concept. I don't know why somebody hasn't done this before," Rich adds. "I fully intend to see somebody launched out of this thing."

Reuters/Billboard