Jeffrey Steele Joins Jewel, John Rich and Host Billy Ray Cyrus

"Nashville Star" Premieres on Monday, June 9 from 9:30 –11 p.m. (ET)

BURBANK, Calif. – April 24, 2008 – "Nashville Star" has tapped award winning songwriter and hit-making producer Jeffrey Steele to round out the panel of celebrity judges/mentors when the series premieres on NBC Monday, June 9 (9:30-11 p.m. ET). If you listen to the radio you've heard one of his songs, in fact Broadcast Music, Inc's (BMI) recently awarded the veteran songwriter for over 30 million airplay for is hit songs recorded by artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, VanZant and many other top names in music.

Steele joins the previously announced expertise of multi-platinum singer-songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee Jewel and multi-award winning singer, songwriter and producer and one half of the country duo Big & Rich, John Rich. Topping off the show's credits is the "Nashville Star" host, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus.

The newest member to the accredited group, Steele, is a hit songwriter and producer with accolades of his own including two time BMI Songwriter of the Year and Nashville Songwriters Association International's (NSAI) writer of the year for three consecutive years. His country and adult contemporary number one song "What Hurts the Most," recorded by Rascal Flatts, was nominated for a Grammy for the best country song and also received a BMI pop award and was the BMI song of the year in 2007.

Steele is also credited for producing Montgomery Gentry's album "My Town" and "Some People Change" and most recently the Keith Anderson and John Waite projects. He's also hit the road performing with such artists as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. His publishing company 3 Ring Circus Music has also churned out the hits including "My Wish," "Brand New Girlfriend," "Help Somebody" and "Everytime I Hear Your Name," "Everyday You Saved My Life."

The sixth season of "Nashville Star," hosted by singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana"), will premiere on NBC Monday, June 9 (9:30-11 p.m. ET) followed by 90-minute live episodes each week. This year the longest running cable reality competition series moves into the spotlight on NBC and with a bigger stage to play the expectations become higher and the competition tougher as each contestant will turn to the celebrity panel that will not only act as judges during the live shows, but will also provide a unique mentoring aspect to the series.

Country music star, singer-songwriter and acclaimed producer John Rich and Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee Jewel along with acclaimed industry heavy weight Jeffery Steele bring their unique expertise and experience to the celebrity panel. The competition opens the doors for talent 16 years-of-age and older and welcomes not only solo artists to the stage, but also duos and trios. The winner or winners of this year's competition will receive a major recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville and the performance of a lifetime when they take to the world's stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

The first five seasons of the series have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Lance Miller and Angela and Zac Hacker -- the siblings who made it a family affair by coming in first and second, respectively, last season.

"Nashville Star" is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sally Ann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers.