On July 19, BILLY CHILDERS was one of the four finalists to compete at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Chicago, Illinois! His set included “A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do” (his current single), “Southern Streamline,” “June 99,” and “Cowboy Up.” Billy was the first to take the stage first at the Hard Rock Café and later that evening was named the WINNER for Chicago’s “The Next Big Star”! His prize included the opportunity to open for Kenny Chesney, playing for an estimated 50,000-60,000 fans who turned out to Soldier’s Field for the July 20 Poets & Pirates concert that also included Gary Allan, Luke Bryan, LeAnn Rimes, and Keith Urban!
A couple weeks later, Georgia native, JESSICA CAYNE URICK, was chosen by Atlanta-based country radio station, 94.9 FM “The Bull,” as one of ten local semi-finalists! The radio station asked listeners and fans to vote for their favorite act between June 30 and July 6, with the four acts receiving the most votes advancing into the finals. After being voted into the Top 4, Jessica was invited to be a special in-studio guest on Live With the Cledus T. Party! on Friday, July 11. Comedian-turned-radio disc jockey, Cledus T. Judd, Jamie Massey, and Slam Duncan interviewed Jessica during the 8AM hour, at the end of which she treated the station’s airstaff and listeners to a live acoustic performance of her self-penned original, “Pour Some Whiskey On It.”
The following evening, Jessica – who was the last finalist scheduled to take the stage at Hard Rock Café (Velvet Underground) – had the honor of having Kenny open for her when he made a surprise appearance right before her set! Kenny jumped on stage and sang his rendition of Jimmy Buffett’s “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw)” and his own song, “Old Blue Chair,” before hopping off the stage and out the door. Jessica closed out the show and impressed judges with her captivating stage presence and well-penned songs! After an exciting evening, Jessica placed First Runner Up for Atlanta!
With his win, Billy advances into the final level of competition for the Grand Prize to be held later this year. The Grand-Prize Winner’s package includes:
1. Travel by tour bus to take the stage on the THREE final dates on the Poets and Pirates Tour! (September 10, 2008 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; September 11, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri; and September 13, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana.)
2. $25,000 cash prize!
3. An audition for record company executives at Sony BMG Music (musical home to Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, among others)!
STAR Country Media congratulates both artists and wishes Billy good luck as he continues his “Next Big Star” journey in the coming months!
