While appearing on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last night (Wednesday, February 27) country music singer and "Hannah Montana" star Billy Ray Cyrus announced that he will be the new host of the hit music-competition series "Nashville Star" that is scheduled to premiere on NBC this summer.

The hit country music talent search "Nashville Star" is gearing up for an exciting sixth season this summer -- now on NBC -- and the producers are crisscrossing the nation looking for the next music superstar. As with last year's show on USA Network, the winner of this season's search will receive a recording contract with a major label.

Nashville Star, the nation's top-rated country music series, has announced a lineup of Grammy-nominated guest star performers, including first season's Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and The Wreckers. “Nashville Star” debuted last night with a supercharged 75-minute episode that saw two contestants eliminated in the tough competition.

Country singer Buddy Jewell has canceled his upcoming American tour after breaking his wrist in a fall. The Nashville Star reality TV winner fell from a ladder while hanging Christmas lights at his Tennessee home on November 19.

Over 20,000 singers auditioned nationwide over the past few months and thousands more submitted via tape for USA's hit talent search Nashville Star. As the selection narrows to find the final 10 that will be part of the show's fifth season premiere on Thursday, January 11 (10 pm/9 Central), Grammy Award winner Randy Owen and country star Blake Shelton have joined seasons three and four judge Anastasia Brown in the show's panel of judges.

Alaskan pop star Jewel will be taking new TV talent seriously in the new year after signing on to host show Nashville Star and to judge an episode of American Idol.

Nashville Star, USA Network's original grassroots talent search to find America's next great country music star and the nation's top-rated country music program, will return on its new night, Thursday, January 11, at 10 p.m. ET with Grammy-nominated host Jewel.

Nashville Star, USA Network's original grassroots talent search to find America's next great country music star and the nation's top-rated country music program, will return for its fifth season with auditions being held August 31-October 12 nationwide.

Soul star Patti LaBelle will switch genres when she appears as a guest judge on TV show Nashville Star next week. The 61-year-old will give contestants hoping to find fame as a country singer useful hints and tips about forging a successful career as a recording artist.

Nashville Star has landed Grammy award-winning Gretchen Wilson and Billboard's 2005 Comedy Artist of the Year Larry the Cable Guy to appear in the second episode of the hit talent search series. In the second week, themed "Redneck Revolution" after Gretchen Wilson's upcoming 2006 tour by the same name, the reigning CMA Best Female Vocalist will light up the stage with an opening performance of her highly-anticipated next single.