Capitol Records Nashville has launched an innovative online country music talent contest, called “The Road to Nashville.” The contest gives aspiring country singers the chance to become Nashville’s next big star by auditioning online at http://bix.yahoo.com/TheRoadToNashville. The winner will end up with $50,000, a trip to Nashville and a chance to cut demos in studio with Capital Records executives.
Contestants will be judge by the public who can vote online. As the singers are whittled down, the final 10 will perform in Nashville for a panel that includes Grammy nominated recording artist Jamie O’Neal.
Northcountrymusic.net caught up with Jamie recently for info about the contest and the latest news about her own music:
Northcountry: You’ve agreed to be on the panel of judges for the new contest “Road to Nashville.” Do you plan on going online and check out the contestants before the judging?
Jamie: Well I’m going to try to devote some time when I have a little bit of down time here. I plan on going online and checking out some of the contestants because I want to know who’s looking good. June 26th is the cut off (for Round 1) so we have only a little time left.
Northcountry: Are you excited about participating in the judging?
Jamie: Yeah, I think its pretty cool because the person gets to keep doing it over and over again and getting better singing the songs. It’s not like they are walking in cold and singing a cappella.
This is really something different for me. I’ve never done anything like this before. I wish there had been things like this or American Idol when I was trying to get a deal because it can take years. People like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson both had production deals. Carrie was in Nashville but nothing really went anywhere with that and then you put out an album after you won something like American Idol, or hopefully one of these contests and you have that built in fan base right away to buy your records It works well for the artist and the label.
Northcountry: This is being done in conjunction with Capital Records Nashville and that’s your new label?
Jamie: Yes, that’s how I got involved. I’ve been there since 2004.
Northcountry: About your own music, you have a new single out, “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes.” Is there a new album coming out?
Jamie: Yes, we are about halfway through, and the new album should be out before the end of the year.
Northcountry: Are you writing a lot of the songs for the new album?
Jamie: Yes, I am.
Northcountry: How do you decide which songs you are going to keep and which songs to let others record?
Jamie: Well, its not just up to me. There’s the record label and a team of people, a producer and management – everyone weighs in with an opinion and that’s pretty much how it goes.
Northcountry: This year you visited the our troops in combat areas. What was that like?
Jamie: Yes, that was absolutely incredible. It was actually for Thanksgiving and really a once in a lifetime trip—being able to stay in Saddam’s palace and go to Baghdad and Afghanistan and it was for a very small time and a very small piece – we just felt we were part of what they were doing over there and trying to raise their morale and let them know we don’t forget about them over here.
Northcountry: Was it scary being in the war zones?
Jamie: Absolutely! We had to do these landings, you know the take offs and landings are completely different. We were landing at night and we had to wear our helmets and vests which are very heavy if you’ve ever had one on.
We would play a show and then do a 3-hour meet and greet, then get on the plane and go to the next place and wear those helmets and everything. You sure don’t feel like you can complain, but to think that’s what they go through and that’s what they’re wearing and they have to be so awake and aware of their surroundings and everything. It’s just amazing that we have people like that, who sacrifice their lives for us.
Northcountry: Do you plan to go back?
Jamie: I hope so. Definitely.
Northcountry: Are you touring this year?
Jamie: Yeah, we are out pretty much every weekend. My husband plays guitar in my band and my daughter comes. We’re like the Partridge Family out there.
Northcountry: You grew up traveling with your own family too?
Jamie: Yes. But it was a little bit different, we didn’t have a tour bus or anything luxurious like that.
Northcountry: When you were little your family band actually opened for many big country stars, like Johnny Cash and Crystal Gayle.. Did anyone in particular influence your music?
Jamie: I would definitely say Dolly Parton. I always loved her and Reba, I loved seeing her sing here in Nashville. I just loved strong women who wrote their own songs. They had a big influence on me for sure.
Northcountry: And now with your participation in the “Road to Nashville” contest you might help find and influence the next big country star?
Jamie: That would be awesome!
Check out the “Road to Nashville” contest at http://bix.yahoo.com/TheRoadToNashville.