I'll be watching Nashville Star 6 this season. But, oddly enough, I think I'm more interested in seeing the judges than some of the performers themselves!

I'm diggin' the fact that Jeffrey Steele is a judge. Finally... more Jeffrey Steele in the limelight!

You see, Jim and I have been following Jeff Steele for what seems like ages now, and we still can't get enough. He's a shining star in the Country Music industry. He's right up there with Craig Wiseman in our book -- as far as songwriters go anyways.

Okay, I'll just say it... If I had my way, I'd see to it that The Hitmen of Music Row produce, judge, promote, star in, and otherwise have their hands in just about anything that's Country Music related these days! All of these guys are among the top hit-makers in the biz. And they know how it works from the entry-level songwriting trials & tribulations to the mega-hits that can result. Best of all... they keep things FUN!

Now onto the other judges...

You may have heard that Nashville Star is moving from USA Network to NBC for 2008. Yep, primetime on cable, baby!

This year, the competition is open to singing duos and trios. Auditions are open to anyone 16 and older. Nashville Star casting calls are held rain or shine.

Here's the scoop on the upcoming casting call in Nashville, TN...

For some reason Tennessee, especially Nashville, has produced a representative sampling of Reality TV show contestants of late.

We attended the opening night of Nashville Star 4 tonight. (If you're not familiar with it, Nashville Star is part talent contest, part popularity contest, and part Reality TV show.)

We went mostly for the novelty of it... (and for the ability to see Big & Rich, Two-Foot-Fred, Wynonna, Cowboy Troy, and each of the talented contestants perform -- for FREE!)

We also happened to attend a "live" taping of Nashville Star two years ago -- the year that Brad Cotter won.

Here's a comparison of Season 2 with Season 4, as well as highlights from both shows -- as we saw it...