Nashville Star tour hits the road

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (USA Network announcement) - The Nashville Star Tour hits the road this summer, featuring the four finalists from USA Network's Nashville Star TV talent search that captivated the nation for the second consecutive year.

Brad Cotter, this year's dazzling Nashville Star winner, heads this package of young country talent. George Canyon, Matt Lindahl, and Lance Miller - the three Nashville Star runners-up - will also perform on the Tour, which kicks off June 18 in Kettering, Ohio.

Nashville Star champ Brad Cotter, 33 hails from Auburn, Alabama, and has been touring and performing since the age of 11. Though he has been a part of the Nashville music scene for eight years, working as a demo singer and songwriter, Cotter, like many of Nashville's biggest stars, has been turned down by nearly every Music Row record label. He now receives his first recording contract with Epic Nashville as part of his winner's package.
Cotter's first single, "I Meant To," was released May 3 and broke 2003 winner Buddy Jewel's record for the highest chart debut by a new artist. His debut album is scheduled for release July 6.

Nashville Star, airing for the second straight season on the USA Network, is a combination talent search and reality series that aims to find the next country music superstar. Contestants are judged by industry executives and artists. Fans also help determine the weekly survivors through telephone and online voting.
The Nashville Star winner receives a contract with Sony Nashville, along with other prizes. Last year's winner Buddy Jewell has already scored two Top 10 singles and a Gold album since his debut.

Nashville Star 2004 tour dates follows:
06/18/04 - Kettering, OH
06/19/04 - Cleveland, OH
06/20/04 - Louisville, KY
06/23/04 - West Palm Beach, FL
06/24/04 - Tampa, FL
06/25/04 - North Charleston, SC
06/26/04 - Lake Buena Vista, FL
06/27/04 - Sarasota, FL
07/06/04 - Seattle, WA
07/08/04 - Albuquerque, NM
07/10/04 - Englewood, CO
07/16/04 - Easton, PA
07/17/04 - Huntington, WV
07/18/04 - Hershey, PA
07/22/04 - Doswell, VA
07/23/04 - Cary, NC
07/24/04 - Charlotte, NC
07/30/04 - Paducah, KY
07/31/04 - Kansas City, MO
08/05/04 - Columbus, GA
08/06/04 - Mableton, GA
08/07/04 - Jacksonville, FL
08/12/04 - Niagara Falls, ONT
08/13/04 - Rochester Hills, MI
08/14/04 - Mundelein, IL
08/17/04 - Lewisburg, WV
08/21/04 - Owensboro, KY