Thursday, March 30, 2006

Naomi And Wynonna Judd On Next NASHVILLE STAR - Down To Seven Contestants

Naomi And Wynonna Judd Will Appear Together On A Special Episode Of USA Network´s NASHVILLE STAR Airing Live Tuesday, April 4 at 10:00 PM ET /9:00 PM CT

NASHVILLE STAR, the nation´s top-rated country music series, has lined up Hallmark Channel talk show host and Grammy Award winning country music superstar Naomi Judd to guest judge its fourth episode airing Tuesday, April 4 on USA Network, it was announced today by Libby Hansen, USA Network´s vice president of alternative series & specials. Daughter Wynonna and the other half of the award-winning duo The Judds is co-hosting the fourth season with "hick-hop" originator Cowboy Troy.

"Millions of Americans can relate to Naomi and look to her for inspiration every day. She´s a great example for our contestants and can provide them with invaluable advice," explains Hansen. "Her talk show, NAOMI´S NEW MORNING, has really taken off, and the opportunity to have her appear with Wynonna on NASHVILLE STAR was something we couldn´t pass up."

Episode four will kick off with an opening performance by multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans of her hit single "A Real Fine Place to Start." With only seven contestants remaining, each will compete for America´s votes before someone is eliminated at the end of the show. Anastasia Brown and Phil Vassar return to judge alongside Naomi.

"I´ve told the contestants all along that I took this job because I felt it was time to do my part in mentoring the next generation of artists, like my mom did for me all those years," adds Wynonna. "They can learn a lot from her and I hope they will take her advice on what to do, and also on what NOT to do."

As the mother-daughter duo The Judds, Naomi and Wynonna sold over 20 million albums in their eight-year reign. The Judds won five Grammys and were named the Country Music Association´s "Duo of the Year" for eight straight years. The pair scored 15 number one hits, and The Judds "Farewell Tour" and "Power to Change" tours rank as two of the top grossing country tours of all time.