Nashville Star News

On Monday, August 4, Melissa Lawson was crowned the latest "Nashville Star" -- wrapping up NBC's dramatic first season of the popular talent search. The 32-year-old Lawson, an Arlington, Texas native and mother of five boys, took the prize over fellow Texan classic country singing Gabe Garcia and Iowa's country rock and blues-belter Shawn Mayer in a live broadcast.

The show culminated with Lawson performing her debut single (produced by John Rich), which will be released to country radio tomorrow (August 5). Additionally, Lawson won a record contract with Warner Bros.

During Monday's live telecast of NBC's "Nashville Star," the final three were revealed – Shawn Mayer, Melissa Lawson and Gabe Garcia. Each took the stage for their final two performances before America voted in record numbers for their favorite (voting was up 53% from the prior week).

On Monday, August 4 the winner will be revealed during the live finale, broadcast at a special time (10-11 pm ET/PT). The final three will each perform and will be reunited with the eliminated contestants for a special performance by show host Billy Ray Cyrus.

Talent from across the nation compete to be named the next "Nashville Star." Host Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana") joins celebrity judges/mentors, singer-songwriter and acclaimed producer John Rich, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee Jewel and acclaimed industry heavy weight and BMI Songwriter of the Year (2006) Jeffery Steele in the search for a true artist. You never know who is going to stop by the Acuff Theater to join in on a jam session.

From a 32-year-old mother of five to two high-school friends who dream of making it as a duet, NBC's "Nashville Star" revealed the top-12 music acts that will be vying for the crown when it kick-starts its first season on NBC on Monday, June 9 (9-11 p.m. ET).

The-top 12 finalists sang their hearts out during the taping of the "Nashville Star" premiere last Monday (subsequent episodes will be live) in front of a packed audience at the Acuff Theater, part of the Opry Entertainment Complex, in Nashville. In episode one

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