COUNTRY SUPERSTAR TRACE ADKINS ROCKS NASHVILLE STAR WITH HIS HIT SINGLE "HONKY TONK BADONKADONK" AND THE LEGENDARY PATTI LABELLE APPEARS AS GUEST JUDGE

COUNTRY SUPERSTAR TRACE ADKINS ROCKS NASHVILLE STAR WITH HIS HIT SINGLE "HONKY TONK BADONKADONK" AND THE LEGENDARY PATTI LABELLE APPEARS AS GUEST JUDGE

Only One Woman Remains In the Race to Be the Next Nashville Star

NASHVILLE, TENN. - April 13, 2006 - NASHVILLE STAR, the nation's top-rated country music series, has tapped multi-platinum superstar Trace Adkins to open episode six with a live performance of his smash hit "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and Grammy-Award winning R&B Vocalist Patti Labelle to serve as guest judge, it was announced today by Libby Hansen, USA Network's vice president of alternative series & specials. Episode six will broadcast live on Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00 PM ET on USA Network.

"Trace Adkins is on fire right now," explains Hansen. "This single spent weeks at the top of both the country and dance club charts, he's been nominated for countless awards and he is selling out arena dates across the country. His high-octane live performance is the perfect way to open the next episode of Nashville Star!"

The legendary Patti Labelle will join show veterans Anastasia Brown and Phi Vassar at the judges table. With only four contestants remaining, each will compete for America's votes before someone is eliminated at the end of the show.

"So much of country music's heritage comes from Rhythm and Blues," explains executive producer Jeff Boggs. "Patti Labelle's music has influenced so many of today's young artists, and her advice for our contestants will be invaluable."

With only one female remaining, Nicole Jamrose (Schererville, IN), will take on Jared Ashley (Hobbs, NM), Chris Young (Murphreesboro, TN), Matt Mason (Fairland, IN) and Casey Rivers (Lindale, TX) in a battle to the end. The winner of Nashville Star will receive a recording contract from the RCA Label Group, as well as an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry and a Chevy Silverado.

NASHVILLE STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced by Ben Silverman ("The Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The Restaurant," "30 Days"). Jeff Boggs (Late Show with David Letterman, Tom Green Show) will executive produce in association with Reveille again for the second year. The show is produced by Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium") and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside co-executive producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out"). USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 1Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome. USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.