Television network Great American Country (GAC) and artist development company Music Nation today announced the judges panel for The Next GAC Star, a nationwide talent search for the next country music star. In addition to offering independent country artists national television exposure and the chance to win a record deal, The Next GAC Star will give these up-and-coming acts the opportunity to have their music heard and critiqued by top hit makers. Online voting opened to the public May 23rd.
Acting as a judge is legendary songwriter/producer/performer Desmond Child, who has collaborated with artists like Aerosmith, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi and Carrie Underwood. Throughout his 30-plus year career, Child has helped pen such hits as “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Joining him is award-winning songwriter/producer/performer Victoria Shaw, who has written hit songs for artists like Christina Aguilera, Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin, John Michael Montgomery and Trisha Yearwood and has her own successful recording career. Shaw also co-produced the debut album from ACM Top New Group Winner Lady Antebellum.
“Leave it to GAC to create a contest with fierce competition where we judges look for someone with the total package: looks, talent and the ‘it’ factor,” says Shaw. “The contestants better be prepared to impress an outspoken redhead on the panel of judges. GAC might never be the same again!”
The Next GAC Star is accepting entries through July 14 and country music hopefuls are encouraged to upload their videos, mp3s, and photos at www.gactv.com/star to enter. Public voting is now open at http://musicnation.com/contest/gacstar/matchup and will run until July 21, after which time the judges will determine six finalists. These finalists will receive Gibson Les Paul Junior guitars and be flown to Nashville for a two-part television special on September 3rd and 10th, with a live elimination in the second show. The winning artist will receive a record deal with Original Signal Recordings, a Gibson Hummingbird Guitar, and a music video, which will air on GAC.
The voting will run in three phases. For the first eight weeks, the public will vote on submissions using Music Nation’s head-to-head player, which randomly pits two artists against each other and asks the user to choose a favorite. Two weekly winners will be chosen during this phase: the highest ranked artist from the head-to-head standings and an “Industry Insiders” pick chosen by GAC and Music Nation. Select video submissions will also air in the new series Next GAC Star, which premiered Sunday, June 1, and will broadcast every Sunday, offering valuable national television exposure to unsigned artists. During the second phase, the Next GAC Star judging panel will narrow the 16 weekly winners down to a field of six. Lastly, these six finalists will be featured on the two TV specials where the Next GAC Star will be determined.
Interested artists and viewers can get more information on Next GAC Star by visiting www.gactv.com/star.
