NASHVILLE, TN – March 11, 2008 – Multiple Grammy Award nominee, 3-time ASCAP artist/songwriter of the year and producer extraordinaire John Rich, of the multi-platinum duo Big & Rich, has been named the first judge/mentor for season six of “Nashville Star,” premiering June 9 on NBC (9:30-11 pm ET/PT), it was announced by show executive producer Howard T. Owens, managing director, Reveille LLC.

He further announced the formation of a joint venture between AEG Live, Warner Bros. Records and Reveille to launch the next American music superstar.  Warner Bros. Records will support artist development, recording and releasing of songs from this season’s winner and other show contestants while AEG Live will promote an upcoming ‘Nashville Star’ concert tour across North America.

“Warner Bros. Records has been fans of 'Nashville Star' since it began and are proud to be a part of this season's show,” says the label's Chairman and CEO, Tom Whalley.   “Not only is John Rich one of the biggest stars to come out of country music, he is also an award winning songwriter and producer.  I have no doubt that he will be the perfect mentor for all the contestants throughout the season of ‘Nashville Star.’”

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Randy Phillips, CEO of AEG Live adds, “Just as we have pioneered the television to stage phenomenon that are the American Idol, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, High School Musical, and Dancin' With The Stars tours, we are incredibly fortunate to be partners with one of the truly exceptional record companies whose legacy is all about creating ‘career artists’ and one of the most avant-garde television producers in the medium.  This new business model joint venture is not just about creating another successful national tour for us, it is about using NBC's immense broadcast platform to break tomorrow's stars who like Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Paul McCartney, Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and the myriad of other ‘career artist’" we work with, makes the point that it is always about the talent."

Currently named one of People Magazine’s most powerful people in the music industry, John Rich is nominated for 6 Academy of Country Music Awards this year including Song of the Year, for which he’s nominated for both artist and songwriter. In addition, this multi-Grammy nominated artist’s writing credits include Gretchen Wilson’s hits “When I Think About Cheatin’” and “Here for the Party,” as well as her ACM award-winning single of the year “Redneck Woman.”  He also wrote Faith Hill’s hit single “Mississippi Girl” and other cuts from her album, co-wrote the majority of the songs on Cowboy Troy’s last album, co-wrote Jason Aldean’s hit single “Hicktown” and produced Jewel, Randy Owen of Alabama and James Otto’s current albums, as well as all of the Big & Rich albums. He’s currently producing his first solo effort on Warner Bros. Records and Gretchen Wilson’s fourth album.

Warner Bros. Records is home to multi-platinum superstars including Faith Hill, Big & Rich, Madonna, Josh Groban, Metallica, Michael Bublé, My Chemical Romance, The White Stripes, REM, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Linkin Park to name a few.  

AEG LIVE, one of the world’s leading concert promotion and touring companies, with fifteen regional offices, is comprised of stand-alone affiliate divisions devoted to all aspects of live entertainment including: AEG LIVE Events, creators and producers of special events of all sizes; AEG-TV, creators of live events for television, DVD, pay-per-view, cinema and other electronic media and AEG LIVE Tours & Special Events, Concerts West, Goldenvoice, The Messina Group and AEG Exhibitions, the company’s national entertainment promotion and touring divisions.  Recently promoted tours have starred artists and groups including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Usher, Kenny Chesney, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Yanni, the Eagles, George Strait, Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson, Brooks and Dunn, Hannah Montana and American Idol.

As was recently announced, the sixth season of “Nashville Star” will premiere June 9 (9:30-11 pm ET/PT) on NBC with Billy Ray Cyrus as host. The multi-city casting tour for “Nashville Star” kicked off on February 9 and will culminate in Nashville on March 21.  For the first time in series' history, the producers will expand the search to include solo artists, duets and singing trios.  Anyone over the age of 16 is encouraged to audition.  Please visit www.nashvillestar.com for additional rules and information.

"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. Jon Small (“Garth Brooks Live in LA”) will also produce.