American Star Talent Competition General Information

general
information

2009 Contest Dates and Locations:

This Competition Series will continue in 2009. The contest dates will be announced soon.

Grand Finale:
Chattanooga, Tennessee
To be Webcast on Music City Television

PRIZES

The Five Contests will have 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners with cash prizes in each category. The winners in each contest
will return to compete in the Grand Finale. Each contestant will be a DVD of their contest performance, the official contest T-shirt,
and other sponsored gifts.

GRAND PRIZE

A six song recording project in Nashville, Tennessee.
Included in this Grand Prize is recording studio time on Music Row
with top studio musicians, producer and
100 retail ready CDs of your finished recording project, a photo session,
CD package design, media exposure, and other prizes.
Grand Prize value is $10,000.

SECOND GRAND PRIZE

A three song recording project in Nashville, Tennessee.
Included in this Second Prize is recording studio time on Music Row
with top studio musicians, producer, a photo session,
and other prizes.

THIRD GRAND PRIZE

A complete two song recording project in Nashville, Tennessee.
Included in this Third Prize is recording studio time on Music Row
with top studio musicians, producer, and other prizes.

You must register to compete. Every one who registers will compete. See Registration page. Competition begins Friday and ends on Saturday, daily 9am – 5pm. You will be notified about your competition time and location.

JUDGES

Judges will be country music and entertainment business professionals.

Michael Allen

Michael Allen, specializes in entertainment-related design projects, artist management, public relations, marketing strategies, music production, and film/video production.

In the early 1980s, Allen put all his creative entertainment-related business and management skills into “high gear” when he originated a career development program for former RCA recording artist, Sylvia. He was associated with Sylvia for over seven years from almost “day number one” to the height of her career in January, 1983. Over the last three years of this association with Sylvia he designed her business organization, created a strong visual business image and managed Sylvia’s business on a daily basis. After leaving the Sylvia organization in the 1980s, Michael has been working with new singers and entertainers in artist development.

This year Michael is co-producing the major feature film, “4th and Goal” that will be in theaters next year.

Some of Michael’s clients include: the Country Music Association, Academy Of Country Music, CBS Cable, and Country Radio Broadcasters.

Sheri Pedigo

Sheri Pedigo is a Los Angeles based actress and recording artist who has more irons in the fire than Texas’ King Ranch during branding season. At the present time she is involved in marketing strategy for her own brand of designer jeans for the country music industry. The strategy includes writing the right country song and creating a dance to highlight the campaign, ala “Acky, Breaky Heart.” Tentative plans are to have the product ready for market by September. Musically, Sheri has been working with Billy Davis, Jr. and wife Marilyn McCoo, of The Fifth Dimension fame for about 5 years, She has also been collaborating with Stephen Housden of The Little River Band and singing backup for former lead singer for Santana, Leon Patillo in his concerts as well as in the recording studio.

Performing has always come natural to Sheri. At the tender age of eight, she has impressed those who have seen her bloom from a bud to a flower, through her music. Considered pure and earthy to passionate and soulful, her musical style has best been described as a breath taking mix of Karen Carpenter and Tina Turner, which has led people to refer to her as an "Angel with Soul."

Sheri has recorded with Grammy Award winning Peabo Bryson, and shared the stage with great artists such as, The Temptations, Amy Grant, Ricky Skaggs, and legend Johnny Cash. She has also co-written music with hit songwriter Narada Michael Walden.Recently, Sheri opened for Randy Travis at William Schatner’s Hollywood Charity Horse Show in Burbank, California. Sheri's voice has been heard on national jingles for Coca-Cola, Krogers, and Hennesy.

Sheri is involved with LAWIM (Los Angeles Women In Music), a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild), AFTRA (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists), and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

Dottie Snow

Dorothea (Dottie) Snow was born in Topeka, Kansas, to the country duo and comedy team, “Radio Dot and Smokey Swan.” When her parents were members of The Grand Ole Opry for 15 years, Dottie grew up on the show business circuit and, as a baby, actually slept in her dad’s guitar case beside the stage while they performed. At the precious age of three, she closed Eddie Arnold’s radio show singing, “God Bless America.”

Dottie has been in demand not only in the studio as a background singer, but was a featured performer on the last segment of the Friday night Grand Ole Opry for over 20 years.

As one of the most talented and skilled females in the allied entertainment industry, she has an extensive range of training to include: casting, producing, singing, acting, script continuity, wardrobe, and theater. She has appear in over a dozen films ranging from "One Of Her Own" for ABC to "Last Dance" with Sharon Stone along with an endless list of music videos and commercials. Dottie has been a feature judge for the national ATSMJA (American Talent Showcase-Model Jam America) and is in demand for consultation in all areas of the entertainment industry.

Dottie is dedicated to helping singers and entertainers in their pursuit of their goals in the music and entertainment industry and is know for these endeavors

On each contest weekend, there will be Performance Workshops by music industry professionals. Each workshop will began at 7:45am Friday and Saturday.

Each contestant will receive a DVD of his performance, performance workshops, a Competition t-shirt, and other sponsor gifts.