NASHVILLE STAR NAMES FINALISTS

Nashville Star has selected the ten finalists for its fifth season, which kicks off Thursday, Jan. 11, on the USA Network.

The competitors are: Meg Allison, 25; Whitney Duncan, 22; Angela Hacker, 29: Zac Hacker, 23; Tim LaRoche, 36; Kacey Musgraves, 18; Rickiejoleen, 18; Joshua Stevens, 28; David St. Romain, 28; Dustin Wilkes, 26. Pop star Jewel has been named as a new co-host of the show, along with returning host Cowboy Troy. Blake Shelton and Alabama’s Randy Owen have been added as judges, joining music industry executive Anastasia Brown on the panel. For more on the 2007 contestants, check out the Jan. 15 issue of Country Weekly, on newsstands Jan. 1.

• published December 13, 2006