KMPH Fox 26 - Fresno, CA, USA - There's more twang than oratory in the nation's capital today.

Thousands of country music hopefuls descended on a Washington, DC hotel to audition for the NBC TV show "Nashville Star." The winner gets a recording contract.

One woman says she could use the lucky break and the money to care for her sick 1-year-old daughter. Another hopeful said her 8-year-old daughter "deserves the world from me and I'm going to do everything to give it to her."

An Elvis impersonator was hoping to be recognized for his own talents. The man at the front of the line was blind, which he hoped would

Rome News-Tribune - Rome, GA, USA - Scott Thompson of Peachtree Station and First Friday Concert fame has been called back for another round of consideration as another season of the singing competition “Nashville Star” rolls around.

Thompson returns to Nashville later this month for another look from the NBC crew. Eventually, 10 performers will make it on to the show.

Thompson grew up in Marietta but moved to Rome in 2003. Two years later he, along with Alan Sanders, formed Peachtree Station which has seen a meteoric rise on the local music scene, building a large fan base throughout Georgia.

Thompson recently released a new album, “Meant to Be.”

This

News-Herald.com - Willoughby, OH, USA - Miranda Lambert knows she has lucky stars to thank.

As second runner-up in 2003 on "Nashville Star," the young singer believes she's escaped the baggage that comes from winning a TV talent show.

"It's perfect, because I got all of the exposure of the winner, Buddy Jewell, but I didn't have to have that 'Nashville Star' title on my albums for the rest of my life," said Lambert, calling from St. Louis. "I didn't have to put an album out in a month. I had time to really put the music together that I wanted and finish writing the songs. I felt

Paducah Sun - Paducah, KY, USA - Up and coming country musician Jason Meadows will be in Murray on Saturday to promote his first album, “100% Cowboy.”

The 2005 “Nashville Star” finalist will sign autographs and perform a short acoustic set beginning at 2 p.m. in the Wal-Mart Super Center.

CMT began playing the video for title song in February, and it serves as the theme music for CMT’s new show, “America’s Top Cowboy.”

Meadows said his career choices were narrowed to two possibilities at a young age.

“Music and rodeo have been my two greatest passions my whole life,” the Oklahoma native said.

When an 8-year-old Meadows wasn’t taking hoofs to

FayObserver.com - Fayetteville NC, USA - Friday night was the second time Charlie and Narissa Alexander of Rockfish saw Angela Hacker sing in person.

The first time was at a friend’s wedding in their home state of Alabama.

“Things have changed a little since then,” said Charlie. “For one thing, we were all a little bit younger.”

Hacker, the winner of the 2007 “Nashville Star” singing contest, highlighted the traveling tour that stopped at the Crown Theatre. She was joined by the show’s final four contestants — Joshua Stevens, David St. Romain and her brother, Zac Hacker — in a lively show.

Backed by the show’s house band, the foursome

FayObserver.com - Fayetteville NC, USA - Here is a glimpse at the ‘Nashville Star’ runners-up that will be performing with Angela Hacker tonight:
Zac Hacker

The 24-year-old from LaGrange, Ala., is the younger brother of Angela Hacker. Their entire family is active in the music industry. This country rocker plays guitar and bass. He began playing his first guitar at age 8, and shortly thereafter, he played with musician Gary Nichols. Both were involved with the first FAME Tuesday Music Club.
David St. Romain

The 28-year-old plays guitar and hails from Baton Rouge, La. The Cajun native has been playing everything from heavy metal, rock and blues to traditional country

Murfreesboro Post - Murfreesboro, TN, USA - Chris Young is enjoying his rising fame.

Paparazzi aren’t following his every move with their camera lenses, but the Nashville Star winner and RCA recording artist is starting to get recognized on the street.

“It is kind of cool,” he said. “It is not something that happens 24 hours a day.”

But there are some things that come along with fame that the Murfreesboro native doesn’t know if he will ever get used to, like hearing his songs on the radio.

“It freaks you out in a good way,” Young said.

Hearing fans sing the lyrics to his songs during his shows is another thing