Nashville Star Crowns a Champion

After weeks of competition, Melissa Lawson, a 32-year-old working mother of five from Arlington, Texas, was named the winner of Nashville Star during last nights season finale on NBC.

From the Associated Press:

Melissa Lawson beat fellow finalist Gabe Garcia on Monday night for the title on the country music reality series. Shawn Mayer came in third.

Lawson wins a record contract after performing in Nashville for 11 weeks.

The series has launched the careers of Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell and Chris Young. It switched to NBC this year after five seasons on cable's USA Network.

In winning the competition, Lawson received the grand prize package of a Warner Brothers record deal, a special performance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 12 and a brand new Toyota Tundra.

As clouds of confetti blew through the theater, Lawson debuted her new single, “What If It All Goes Right”, which is produced by Nashville Star judge John Rich. The song is scheduled to hit country radio this morning and will most certainly get routine airplay.

Many felt that Gabe Garcia was the front runner going into the show. I can say that I too believed that Garcia would win the competition and believe that in the long run, will have the better country music career. Although Lawson is a talented singer and a heartwarming story, the curse of Nashville Star will more than likely be her downfall.

Look back at past winners and tell me where their careers have gone. You notice on many of the reality talent shows that in most cases, the runners up and others tend to be the bigger stars. Only time will tell how Lawson's career will play out but I only wish for the best for her and her family. I also hope to hear from Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer shortly. They obviously have the talent to make it, the question is, will they succeed?