USA TODAY is promoting Nashville tourism thru their travel page titled Destinations and the photo used to promote the story features one of our Rising Star finalist from 2009  Nichole Rapisardi.
Nichole Rapisardi and West Butler perform on stage At Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Wednesday, June 9, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. As the CMA Music Festival kicks off, business, and entertainers are hopeful that the local economy with get a big boost from tens of thousands of country music fans coming to town as the Nashville area continues …

Things took a decidedly bizarre turn during the ‘American Idol’ Orlando auditions when hopeful Jarrod Norrell gave a spacey, out-of-sorts performance of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace,’ then refused to leave after being told by judges that his vocals weren’t up to snuff.
Ultimately, Norrell was removed by security and led away in handcuffs by police.
“Oh, good lord. What was that? Do you really think you’re a good singer?” asked Kara DioGuardi after Norrell’s performance. “Honey, it sounded like a lawnmower.”
Randy Jackson agreed. “Dog, the vocals, man. You can’t sing,” he said.
Norrell, …

This has been conversation since Rising Star of Tennessee started. Each year as we listen to the cds to choose the semi finalist it is mind boggling to hear the talent we have living in Blount County, Tn. My first year at a semi finals performance really dumb founded me a see an 11 year old produce a voice that sounds like an adult.W really have some talent “hiding in them there hills”
I took the time to find two articules in “The Daily Times” that supports my argument….
Vonore’s Vanessaa Wolfe …

While a new season of American Idol kicked off in Boston Tuesday night, Ellen DeGeneres has already started taping Hollywood week as a judge for talent search, which she called an “amazing time.” But she’s already dreading one aspect of her new job: telling contestants they won’t make the cut.
“I don’t like that and I’m not that kind of person — because they have a name for a person who likes to hurt people’s feelings — it’s called ‘Simon,’” the talk show host said on an episode of her show …

March 6th, 2010 @ Alcoa High School
For directions

Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at Alcoa High School
For directions