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NBC seeks military country musicians

Dreaming of being a country singing sensation? NBC is searching for aspiring country singers in the military community to compete to perform on its “Nashville Star,” show this summer.

The casting call will be April 11 on Norfolk Naval Station, Va., and is open to active-duty personnel, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, veterans, Defense Department employees and their family members. Defense contractors are eligible, but their family members are not. There is no fee to audition.

Up to 40 people will be selected at the auditions, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 11 at Norfolk Naval Station’s Devary Hall Theatre, also known as Building C-9. Those who audition should be prepared to stay an extra day in case they are called back to take part in a videotaping for “Nashville Star” on a Navy ship April 12.

Ten service members who are being selected from 128 service members chosen at auditions on Navy bases worldwide in the last few weeks will also participate in the filming. Those 10 service members get free trips to Norfolk.

There is no guarantee that anyone will be offered a spot on “Nashville Star,” said Julie Smith, Liberty program manager for Naval Installations Command, but the show’s producers may choose contestants from the videotaping.

The winner of “Nashville Star” will also perform at the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

According to Victor Hurtado, who is handling the military casting and production development for “Nashville Star,” the initiative follows on the heels of a successful performance last December by two soldiers on NBC’s holiday special, “Clash of the Choirs.” Hurtado served in the same capacity for that show.

Army Capt. Brian Saul and Staff Sgt. Kent Kramer from Fort Sill, Okla., turned in such stellar performances that NBC decided to continue recognizing and including troops in their programming, said Hurtado, who served as artistic director for Army Entertainment from 2001 to 2007.

For more information, call (757) 444-4814 or e-mail nsmilitarycasting@martenvee.com.