Performances also include Show Host Jewel and Judges Randy Owen and Blake Shelton


LOS ANGELES, Calif.  January 12, 2007  NASHVILLE STAR, the nation's top-rated country music series, has announced a lineup of Grammy-nominated guest star performers, including first season's Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and The Wreckers, it was announced today by Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president of original programming. NASHVILLE STAR debuted last night with a supercharged 75-minute episode that saw two contestants eliminated in the tough competition.

"Once again, NASHVILLE STAR continues to exceed all expectations," said Wachtel. "With an amazing roster of performers including Miranda's first return to 'Nashville Star' since the show's premiere, we're in for a very exciting season."

On Thursday, January 18, Miranda Lambert returns to NASHVILLE STAR for her first appearance since she competed on the show in its premiere season. Since NASHVILLE STAR, Lambert has solidified her place among the best women in country with a recent Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her hit single "Kerosene." She also recently earned a 2006 CMA nomination for the Horizon Award and two ACM nominations for Top New Female Vocalist and Video of the Year. Last year, her debut album "Kerosene" made its Billboard chart debut as the #1 country record in the nation, an accomplishment only six other country artists in the history of Soundscan have achieved.
On Thursday, January 25, Little Big Town will make their NASHVILLE STAR debut on the heels of their first Grammy nominations for Best Country Album for the near platinum "The Road To Here" and Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal for their song, "Boondocks." This year, the group also earned two Academy of Country Music Awards for Top Vocal Group and Top New Duo or Vocal Groups and two 2006 CMA Award nominations for the Horizon Award and Vocal Group of the Year.
On Thursday, February 1, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp, together known as The Wreckers will take the NASHVILLE STAR stage. The duo just earned their first Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Leave the Pieces" from their RIAA Certified Gold debut album "Stand Still, Look Pretty." The Wreckers cemented their status as one of country's hottest new acts this summer when they made history as the first duo since Brooks & Dunn to reach #1 with their debut single. With a new single "My Oh My" shooting up the charts and a CMA nod for Vocal Duo of the Year, The Wreckers are gearing up for a jam-packed 2007.

The fifth season will also include performances by show host Jewel (February 8), judges Randy Owen and Blake Shelton (dates TBD) and more guest performances to be announced.
NASHVILLE STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced by Ben Silverman ("The Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The Restaurant," "30 Days"). Jeff Boggs will executive produce in association with Reveille. Todd Lubin ("30 Days," "Black. White.") serves as co-executive producer. The show is produced by Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium") and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside co-executive producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out").

For photos of NASHVILLE STAR, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/.

SONIC, America's Drive-In (NASDAQ/GS: SONC), the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain, is the exclusive presenting partner of the fifth season of NASHVILLE STAR.

Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Launched in March of 2002 by Ben Silverman, the company produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the Emmy Award-winning "The Office" (NBC), which has also received two Television Critics Association Awards; "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Ugly Betty" (ABC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Nashville Star" (USA); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is also the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille's growing library of programming is distributed to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.

About USA Network:
USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board for 2006, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.