Claypool Teen Has Shot At Becoming 'Nashville Star'

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

Earlier this year, the top four winners of USA network's "Nashville Stars" performed at the Wagon Wheel Theatre.

Now, a Claypool man hopes to be one of the "stars" himself. He's already been named one of the final 43 performers.

Out of 20,000 people who auditioned for the country music reality competition, Paul Crace, 19, is listed on the official Web site as one of the 43 remaining performers. He will compete against the other 42 at regional finals in early January for a shot at country music stardom.

Regionals will take place in Houston, Texas, Jan. 3-4 and Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 6-7. Crace's interview for the show is in Houston Jan. 3, with his performance audition Jan. 4.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Crace said he's watched the show the last three years. He was interested in how the show took a normal person and transformed them into a star if they won. Earlier this year, he found out auditions for the show were being held at the Hard Rock Cafe, Chicago, and he went.

For his first audition, he performed 30 seconds of "Dixieland Delight" by Alabama. "I was always a fan of Alabama as far back as I can remember," said Paul.

Making it to the second round, he performed "Should Have Been A Cowboy" by Toby Keith. Paul said he only had a list of 40 songs to choose from, and he wanted to perform something he liked, so he chose Keith.

"I wasn't nervous at all until I got on stage," said Paul.

Now he's on his way to the Houston regionals.

"We're proud of him," said Paul's mother, Pam Crace.

For the regionals, Paul said he plans to perform a song he wrote himself, "Ever When." He wrote it in 2002 about a past relationship. When Paul's brother-in-law first heard it, Paul said, he almost cried, which is something Paul said his brother-in-law doesn't do much.

The show does not provide transportation to its contestants for regionals. To get to the Houston auditions, Crace is looking for sponsors. Pam said costs will be approximately $900 for round-trip transportation for Paul and his brother.

"I want to make it at least on the show," said Paul of his goals for the contest. "I'd like to make it to first place."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Crace can call Pam at 574-566-2620, or e-mail [email protected]

For more information on "Nashville Stars," visit online at www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/ [[In-content Ad]]

Earlier this year, the top four winners of USA network's "Nashville Stars" performed at the Wagon Wheel Theatre.

Now, a Claypool man hopes to be one of the "stars" himself. He's already been named one of the final 43 performers.

Out of 20,000 people who auditioned for the country music reality competition, Paul Crace, 19, is listed on the official Web site as one of the 43 remaining performers. He will compete against the other 42 at regional finals in early January for a shot at country music stardom.

Regionals will take place in Houston, Texas, Jan. 3-4 and Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 6-7. Crace's interview for the show is in Houston Jan. 3, with his performance audition Jan. 4.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Crace said he's watched the show the last three years. He was interested in how the show took a normal person and transformed them into a star if they won. Earlier this year, he found out auditions for the show were being held at the Hard Rock Cafe, Chicago, and he went.

For his first audition, he performed 30 seconds of "Dixieland Delight" by Alabama. "I was always a fan of Alabama as far back as I can remember," said Paul.

Making it to the second round, he performed "Should Have Been A Cowboy" by Toby Keith. Paul said he only had a list of 40 songs to choose from, and he wanted to perform something he liked, so he chose Keith.

"I wasn't nervous at all until I got on stage," said Paul.

Now he's on his way to the Houston regionals.

"We're proud of him," said Paul's mother, Pam Crace.

For the regionals, Paul said he plans to perform a song he wrote himself, "Ever When." He wrote it in 2002 about a past relationship. When Paul's brother-in-law first heard it, Paul said, he almost cried, which is something Paul said his brother-in-law doesn't do much.

The show does not provide transportation to its contestants for regionals. To get to the Houston auditions, Crace is looking for sponsors. Pam said costs will be approximately $900 for round-trip transportation for Paul and his brother.

"I want to make it at least on the show," said Paul of his goals for the contest. "I'd like to make it to first place."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Crace can call Pam at 574-566-2620, or e-mail [email protected]

For more information on "Nashville Stars," visit online at www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/ [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Chip Shots: Season-End Appreciation
Attrition season, spring scholastic sports edition, will begin this coming week. There is no evil laugh in my tone, just reminding everyone how quickly the scholastic sports season and the entire scholastic sports year have gone.

Crouse Body Shop
Mechanics Lien 2006 Dodge

City of Nappanee
Combined Notice

Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission
Rink

PUBLIC OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
Slate Auto