Superstar Chesney searches for the next country star

Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star Competition

Friday, June 13

9 p.m.

Hard Rock Cafe,… Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star Competition

Friday, June 13

9 p.m.

Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square

412-481-7625

Before the stage is set up on Heinz Field and 65,000 screaming country music fans fill the stadium, four local bands must compete for the chance to open for country music star Kenny Chesney.

The ticket stubs might say “Kenny Chesney at Heinz Field,” but he is only one-sixth of the entertainment June 14. In addition to his four accompanying acts – Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, LeAnn Rimes and Keith Urban – Chesney is offering up the lead-off spot to a local band, which he cleverly calls his “Next Big Star,” named for his hit song “Big Star.”

The competition will take place on the eve of the show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Station Square, where four bands will duke it out to play in front of a sold out Heinz Field.

“Chesney decided to offer up this opportunity to up-and-coming bands to give them an opportunity to play in front a large audience,” said Roy Smith, Sales and Marketing Director for the Hard Rock Cafe.

According to BNA Records, Chesney has considered this for years.

“If someone came into Chucky’s Trading Post- or even the Turf in Nashville – and given me the opportunity to win a shot to open for Keith Whitley, I’d’ve died. I don’t want anybody dying, I just want to help get them a little closer to the dream,” said Chesney in the press release from BNA.

The contest began on Tuesday, when Y108 announced 10 finalists. Listeners and fans have until Friday to log onto y108.com, listen to the finalists and cast their vote to determine the top four bands.

There is also a national contest among all the local winners from each tour date. The grand-prize winner will hop on the “Poets ‘ Pirates” tour bus for the final weekend of the tour and perform in Tulsa, Okla., St. Louis, Mo., and Indianapolis, Ind., with Chesney.

According to Y108, there will also be a $25,000 cash prize and an audition with Sony/BMG for the grand-prize winner.

Chesney has always tried to give as much as possible to the fans, and now he is allowing the talented, undiscovered fans to share the stage with him. Perhaps this gratitude is why Chesney recently picked up his fourth straight ACM Entertainer of the Year award. This year’s award was voted on by those that he has dedicated this tour to: the fans.

“This isn’t about me. It’s about the fans, and giving them their own piece of the dream. Being able to do this is maybe the biggest rush of all,” said Chesney.

The show at the Hard Rock Friday is over 21 only, but the concert on Saturday is all ages and tickets are still available.