The 32-Year-Old Mother of Five Now Prepares for the Performance of a Lifetime at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 12

BURBANK – August 4, 2008 — On Monday, August 4, Melissa Lawson was crowned the latest “Nashville Star” — wrapping up NBC’s dramatic first season of the popular talent search. The 32-year-old Lawson, an Arlington, Texas native and mother of five boys, took the prize over fellow Texan classic country singing Gabe Garcia and Iowa’s country rock and blues-belter Shawn Mayer in a live broadcast.

The show culminated with Lawson performing her debut single (produced by John Rich), which will be released to country radio tomorrow (August 5). Additionally, Lawson won a record contract with Warner Bros. Records, their debut album produced by John Rich, and will perform live from the Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 12, to be telecast on NBC’s “Today.”

During the season’s final broadcast, all of the original 12 acts that began the competition in June returned to the Acuff Theater to join host Billy Ray Cyrus in a performance of his hit single “Achy Breaky Heart.” Country legend George Jones also made a surprise appearance.

The top four finalists — Lawson, Garcia, Mayer and Coffey — will begin a nationwide tour later this year.

“Nashville Star” is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC’s “The Office”), Howard T. Owens (“American Gladiators”), Mark Koops (“The Biggest Loser”) and Sallyann Salsano (“Design Star,” “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”) serve as executive producers. Jon Small (“Garth Brooks Live in LA”) is a producer.

Artwork and additional information on “Nashville Star” can be found at http://NBC.com.

Melissa Lawson:

At age 32, Melissa is the oldest female contestant this season on “Nashville Star.” A working mother with five sons, Melissa wanted to prove that country music is about the songs and the voice, not the size jeans you wear. She’s the “every woman” in pursuit of the ultimate dream, and she didn’t leave her family to lose the competition.

Melissa’s amazing weight loss was never the goal — getting healthy was. Her weight loss journey began five months ago when she weighed just under 300 pounds and realized she need to make a change. She chose not to do another diet, but to make a lifestyle change. Eating healthy and exercising regularly has been the key to her success. She has lost nearly 45 pounds since her first “Nashville Star” audition, and took her weight loss as seriously as the competition. Each week, as she slimmed down and transformed her health, she took one step closer to becoming a music superstar.

Source: NBC Press Release

ONE ARTIST AND MENTOR WILL CELEBRATE TOGETHER WITH JEFFREY STEELE/SHAWN MAYER, JEWEL/GABE GARCIA AND JOHN RICH/MELISSA LAWSON ALL COMPETING FOR THE TITLE

COUNTRY LEGEND GEORGE JONES WILL MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE FOR THE FINALE AND HOST BILLY RAY CYRUS WILL PERFORM

Nashville, Tenn. During Monday’s live telecast of NBC’s “Nashville Star,” the final three were revealed Shawn Mayer, Melissa Lawson and Gabe Garcia. Each took the stage for their final two performances before America voted in record numbers for their favorite (voting was up 53% from the prior week).

On Monday, August 4 the winner will be revealed during the live finale, broadcast at a special time (10-11 pm ET/PT). The final three will each perform and will be reunited with the eliminated contestants for a special performance by show host Billy Ray Cyrus. The show will culminate with the winner being announced and performing their debut single (produced by John Rich), which will be released to country radio the next morning. Additionally, the winner will earn a record contract with Warner Bros. Records, their debut album produced by John Rich and a live performance from the Olympics in Beijing on August 12.

“Nashville Star” is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC’s “The Office”), Howard T. Owens (“American Gladiators”), Mark Koops (“The Biggest Loser”) and Sallyann Salsano (“Design Star,” “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”) serve as executive producers. Jon Small (“Garth Brooks Live in LA”) is a producer.

Artwork and additional information on “Nashville Star” can be found at nbc.com.

Source: NBC Press Release

Insurance Company to Serve As Presenting Sponsor for Special Hometown Concert Episode Tied to “I’m There” Marketing Campaign

BURBANK, Calif. – NBC and State Farm(R) announced today a unique programming and marketing partnership for the upcoming season of “Nashville Star,” which premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. In addition to serving as a primary sponsor for the series, State Farm will be the presenting sponsor for a special “Hometown Concert” episode airing July 21, that features each of the final four contestants performing a special concert for friends and family in their various hometowns. The concert will tie in to State Farm’s current “I’m There” marketing campaign.

The announcement was made by Craig Plestis, EVP Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment; Jim Hoffman, SVP, Primetime Ad Sales, NBC Universal; and Jeanette Stewart, State Farm Advertising Manager.

“As NBC has demonstrated before, this partnership with State Farm allows us the opportunity to creatively integrate the message of an appropriate advertiser with that of a particular show – in this case ‘Nashville Star,’” said Plestis. “As the series’ climax nears, the ‘Hometown Concert’ episode is the perfect vehicle to showcase State Farm’s marketing campaign in a way that complements the ‘I’m There’ theme.”

State Farm’s exclusive sponsorship for the “Hometown Concert” ties in with the company’s current “I’m There” marketing campaign, which targets consumers who are at the intersections of important life events. The “Hometown Concert” episode is the ideal platform and program to market the “I’m There” message, as each contestant is facing a significant personal and professional crossroad as they approach the finals of the “Nashville Star” competition.

“We have been sponsoring the ‘Hometown Concert’ for several seasons and are delighted to once again be part of the series now on NBC,” added Stewart. “The breadth and scope of the network aligns with the neighborhood presence of our agents, and this is another perfect opportunity for State Farm to partner with local school districts.”

The concerts will incorporate the “red dot” brand featured in State Farm’s current advertising campaigns and also feature State Farm executives who will help introduce each performance. All money raised from the concerts will be donated to the public school district in each of the four finalists’ home communities. State Farm will also donate $10,000 to each of the school districts, assisting their efforts encouraging kids to stay in school and decreasing the number of high school dropouts.

“This is yet another great example of how we can work with our clients to create customized solutions that enhance their brand message,” said Hoffman. “The partnership between ‘Nashville Star’ and State Farm highlights what can be achieved when we start an early dialogue with our clients about their marketing goals.”

The first five seasons of “Nashville Star” have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert (recent ACM Album of the Year winner), Lance Miller, and Angela and Zac Hacker — the siblings who made it a family affair by coming in first and second, respectively, last season.

Source: NBC Press Release

Season Six of NASHVILLE STAR Debuts Saturday, June 14 on CMT

NASHVILLE May 27, 2008 CMT has entered into an agreement with NBC to re-broadcast episodes of the sixth season of NASHVILLE STAR, it was announced today by Mary Beth Cunin, vice president, programming strategy, CMT. The music competition series will premiere for the first time on NBC on Monday, June 9 at 9:30-11:00 p.m., ET/PT, and then be retelecast on CMT, beginning Saturday, June 14 at 4:00-5:30 p.m., ET/PT. NASHVILLE STAR begins its regularly scheduled timeslot on CMT Friday, June 20 at 8:00-9:30 p.m., ET/PT.

“Partnering with CMT is a strategic move by Reveille and NBC to create a brand affiliation for Nashville Star with the biggest television outlet for country music,” said executive producer Howard T. Owens, managing director of Reveille, LLC. “To repurpose on CMT was the only natural distribution fit.”

“With CMT favorites like Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich and Jewel, this show is a natural fit for our audience,” said Cunin. “Nashville Star was one of the first music competition series to recognize that the country music genre holds mass appeal, and we’re thrilled to partner with NBC on the series first broadcast run.”

The sixth season of NASHVILLE STAR will premiere on NBC Monday, June 9 (9:30-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) followed by 90-minute live episodes each week. This year, the longest running cable reality competition series moves into the spotlight on NBC. With a bigger stage to play, the expectations become higher and the competition tougher as each contestant will turn to the celebrity panel that will not only judge them during the live shows, but will also provide a unique mentoring aspect to the series. Host Billy Ray Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) will join country music star, singer-songwriter and acclaimed producer John Rich and Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee Jewel, along with acclaimed industry heavy weight and BMI Songwriter of the Year (2006) Jeffery Steele, to bring their unique insights and experience to the show and its contestants. The competition opens the doors for talent 16 years-of-age and older and welcomes not only solo artists to the stage, but also duos and trios who can compete as talented singers, songwriters and musicians. The winner or winners of this year’s competition will receive a major recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville and the performance of a lifetime when they take to the world’s stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

“Nashville Star” is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC’s “The Office”), Howard T. Owens (“American Gladiators”), Mark Koops (“The Biggest Loser”) and Sallyann Salsano (“Design Star,” “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”) serve as executive producers. Jon Small (“Garth Brooks Live in LA”) is a producer.

Source: CMT Press Release