NASH Next 2018 Competition Gets Started

NASH Next 2018 led by CUMULUS MEDIA, kicks off its fourth annual grassroots national search for the nation’s newest star today in over 54 markets across the United States including Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Nashville. Beginning today, local artists who want to take their career to the next level may enter the competition via the NASH Next website or one of the 62 local station websites.

The winner of this four-month-long national competition, announced by country music super-duo Florida Georgia Line, will receive a record deal under the Big Machine Label Group, home to such superstars as Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and the reigning ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year Brett Young. The NASH Next 2018 winner will receive substantial exposure, commensurate with a major label release, on Cumulus Radio stations nationwide. While television boasts several talent competitions, coveted radio play is the most effective medium to cultivate an artist and propel a major music career.

Florida Georgia Line, commenting on NASH Next 2018 said, “There are so many ways to reach your goals in the music business. We found a way that worked for us but that’s not the only way – NASH Next from our friends at CUMULUS MEDIA is an incredible way to get noticed and reach a whole new audience with radio airplay. That’s a big deal y’all. So work hard, stay true to yourself and your music, and good things will happen! Good luck!”

With 99 million fans, Country has become the #1 most popular music genre and CUMULUS MEDIA’s NASH Next 2018 competition pays tribute to the great tradition of radio as a launch pad for country music’s most beloved artists.

The NASH Next 2017 winner, Radio Romance, released their debut single “Weekend” in April 2018 and cracked the top 50 country charts their first week on the radio. They also appeared at CMA Fest this June and will start their Summer/Fall tour this August. “This whole experience has been truly incredible,” remarked Sam Hayes, Lead Singer, Radio Romance and Nash Next 2017 winner. “There is honestly no way to describe what it’s like when you hear your first single played on the radio or when you see your name on the Country music charts.”

Judging Panel

Listeners will be invited to rate the emerging artists with local music professional helping select the local finalist. The top 10 finalists, and ultimately the 2018 winner, will be selected by a panel of country luminaries, including Scott Borchetta, founder, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, the world’s #1 independent record label and Kix Brooks, half of Brooks & Dunn, one of country music’s most successful duos of all time, with additional celebrity judges to be announced at a later date.

“I’m always on the hunt for great new talent and there’s arguably no better way to do it than through Country Radio,” said Borchetta. “In our fourth year with NASH Next, this program provides the Big Machine Label Group an incredible opportunity to have our eyes and ears on the ground in all of the great Cumulus Country radio markets. If you want to be next, enter now. Game on…” 

“I really enjoyed being part of NASH Next last year – the level of talent continues to get better and more competitive every year, and this music platform is working! It’s been fun to watch last year’s winner, Radio Romance, catch the wave and surf it to the next level of their career,” noted Kix Brooks.

How the Competition Works

Beginning today, local artists may enter the competition via the NASH Next website or participating local station websites. Listeners in their communities will rate each competitor’s original song, along with local music industry professionals. Local markets will then host live events or select their finalist by judging the contestants in a video performance of that original song. 

Ten of the local finalists will be selected by industry professionals to compete at the national finale event – a live concert, hosted in Nashville in early October, where a panel of celebrity judges will announce the NASH Next 2018 winner.

“NASH Next 2017 brought us an exciting high-energy band whose live performances and on-air presence shows them on a trajectory for stardom,” said Mike McVay, Executive Vice President, Content & Programming, CUMULUS MEDIA. “Dreams do come true, and NASH Next 2018 is a testament to Cumulus’ commitment to support and grow the next generation of great country artists.”