TRACE ADKINS PERFORMS HIS MULTI-WEEK NUMBER ONE HIT "YOU'RE GONNA MISS THIS" WITH THE "NASHVILLE STAR" CONTESTANTS IN WEEK TWO OF THE COMPETITION MONDAY, JUNE 16

'Nashville Star' Goes Live, The Mentoring Begins and America's Vote is the Only Vote That Counts

The Premiere Episode of 'Nashville Star' (June 9th) Wins in the Key Young 18-34 Demographic

BURBANK � June 10, 2008 � The premiere episode of NBC's "Nashville Star" kicked off its sixth season with a performance by 2008 ACM Best New Female Vocalist Taylor Swift and for the exciting live second episode Monday, June 16 (9:00-10:30pm) the show continues to bring the hottest names in music to the stage with an appearance by superstar Trace Adkins. Adkins will be performing his number one single "You're Gonna Miss This" with the remaining eleven acts.

Next week, the show is live, the mentoring begins and the fate of the contestants rely on America's vote. The finalists are split up into three groups, female solo artists, male solo artists and groups. The celebrity judges, singer-songwriter and acclaimed producer John Rich, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee Jewel and acclaimed industry heavy weight and BMI Songwriter of the Year (2006) Jeffery Steele are surprised when they are each assigned to mentor one of these groups through the remaining episodes. Each industry vet will bring their unique insight and experience to the contestants, giving them the tools to help realize their dreams.

On Monday, June 9 from 9-11p.m., the NBC debut of "Nashville Star" delivered a 2.2/6 and 6.7 million viewers overall. For its second hour the show tied for first place in adults 18-49 and won the hour among adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. In the 10-11 p.m. hour, "Nashville Star" beat ABC's "The Mole" head-to-head in all key ratings categories, adults, men and women 18-34, and 18-49 and 25-54 and total viewers.

Adkins has become a multi-faceted entertainer, finding success as a performer, musician, author and actor. An esteemed member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins has enjoyed a remarkable career full of chart-topping success, national TV appearances and highly successful tours. Since 1996, the Louisiana-born-and-raised country star has recorded seven studio albums and released two greatest hits compilations, including his latest top-seller, American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. II.

Already a country music superstar with a string of hits under his belt, Adkins became a household name outside the genre as one of fourteen celebrity contestants competing for charity on NBC's hit reality series, "The Celebrity Apprentice." He ultimately became one of the show's two finalists, receiving high marks throughout the series for playing the game with integrity. Since appearing on the show, Adkins has raised more than $300,000 for his designated charity, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). He is presently continuing his 2008 American Man Tour throughout the summer and will release his eighth studio album in the fall.

"Nashville Star" is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office"), Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sallyann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers. Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live in LA") is a producer.

Artwork and additional information on "Nashville Star" can be found at www.nashvillestar.com.