“One dream. One country. One Nashville Star!” reads the Web site of the country-music reality TV show.
And in Souda Bay, Crete, there was just one applicant for tryouts for the show.
Naples, Italy, produced two.
Other bases were “a little more country” when it came to the American Idol-esque auditions in Europe, which were held the last week February.
In Rota, Spain, 17 individuals vied for the top three spots. Joint Maritime Forces in England had five individuals audition, and in Sigonella, Sicily, six.
The good news for the Crete and Naples applicants is that individuals per base are guaranteed a spot in the next round of competition, so all of them have that chance.
Auditions were sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Navy installations and ships around the world.
“All bases and ships will send videos of their top three auditions to Commander, Navy Installations Command in Millington, Tenn.,” said Taeko Yoshino, MWR entertainment specialist in Naples. “The best 10 will be chosen to fly to Norfolk, Va., for an all-military casting program."
Those 10 will join the top 40 performers from the all-military casting call on April 11, held in Norfolk, Va. All 50 will participate in a performance onboard a Navy ship — yet be determined — on April 12.
In the onboard audience will be “Nashville Star” producers scouting for possible contestants for the television show.
The April 12 program will be videotaped, and segments will air on “Nashville Star” later this year.
Although turnout for auditions was low in some locations, the country music hopefuls were quite enthusiastic.
“As soon as I could talk, I could sing,” said contestant Kelly Lee Baze, a lieutenant commander assigned to Submarine Group 8 in Naples, Italy. “Country music is all about my life, and I’m about as grounded as they come, which makes me the perfect choice to win this competition.”
