What makes Nashville Star standout from other reality talent shows?
We’re not looking for a great singer, we’re looking for a great artist. There’s a difference, in my opinion. Not many people consider Kris Kristofferson a great singer, but I think everyone considers him a great artist. He’s a great songwriter; he connects with the audience; he knows how to emote — to make a lyric kick you right in the chest. That’s what I’m looking for. You have a big personal investment in the show, as well. I’m producing the winner’s album. It would be like if Simon Cowell were producing the winner of ‘American Idol.’ Every comment that he made and everything that happened affected his job. That’s how important it is to me — I have to put my name on this project. So for me, it’s important to be brutally honest, and then follow up with some mentorship. We spend six to eight hours at a time going through songs with them, going through their stage presence — what’s going right and what’s going wrong, helping them identify what their strengths are and hopefully takin
