Columnist Spencer Patterson: Reality shows taking on a little bit of country

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 | 8:27 a.m.

George Verschoor knows a little bit about reality television.

In 1992 he directed and produced the program that launched the reality TV era, MTV's "The Real World." He worked on the show for its first four seasons.

Now Verschoor is looking to mine reality gold in the country music arena as executive producer of the USA Network's "Nashville Star" talent search series, which airs in March.

"Country music was a perfect opportunity to do another show where you could tell great stories," Verschoor said in a phone interview from his Los Angeles office.

"In 'Real World' we really told the stories of people in their early 20s kind of finding themselves. And I think in country music it's a chance to get into a culture and tell the stories of people who are really serious about their craft, and actually trying to make their dream come true."

Local singing auditions to compete on "Nashville Star" began Thursday at Sam's Town, with open tryouts for anyone age 18 and over. Callbacks begin tonight at 7, and continue with a final round Saturday night at 8.

A field of 100 national finalists will eventually be narrowed down to the show's 20 contestants. The winner will be selected by judges and the voting public and will receive a recording contract from Sony Music Nashville.

The first season ultimately proved successful, launching the major-label recording careers not only of winner Buddy Jewell -- a 2003 Country Music Association award nominee -- but also of the program's second- and third-place finishers.

But Verschoor said the industry wasn't quick to jump onboard when the project was conceived.

"Initially there was a lot of hesitation from the record labels and a lot of people in Nashville saying, 'Hey if they're any good we already know about them,' " Verschoor said. "It was one of those things where we just had to prove ourselves the first season, and we did so pretty well with Buddy Jewell and our other finalists.

"So it was a good payoff, and this season we're hoping that lightning can strike twice and we can do it again."

Though similar to Fox's popular "American Idol" franchise, "Nashville Star" also houses its contestants in a single Nashville home and offers viewers glimpses into their daily lives.

Last season the show featured guest appearances by such established country stars as Clint Black, who stopped by to dine with the finalists, and Phil Vassar, who performed on the broadcast.

Las Vegans hoping for their shot at the show were required to perform at least 30 seconds of approved cover material. Those called back must sing an original composition in the final two rounds.

"We're looking for original music as well as singing ability, not just people singing karaoke," Verschoor said.

Last year's "Nashville Star" did not include a contestant from Nevada, but Verschoor said Vegas' reputation as a strong country market could bode well.

"It is a huge country market, from a radio point of view one of the top markets in the country," Verschoor said.

If you missed out on Thursday's open tryouts, don't fret. Hopefuls are free to travel to future auditions or submit video tapes. Details about both are available at website www.usanetwork.com/nashvillestar.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

College rock veterans Cracker and Cowboy Mouth team for a 6:30 p.m. show today at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $20 for the 21-and-over concert.

Both bands are touring behind recent independent-label releases, Cracker's "Countrysides" and Cowboy Mouth's "Uh-Oh."

Alterna-rockers Placebo hit The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Tuesday. Tickets are $28.

The British band took a harder-edged stance on their latest album, "Sleeping With Ghosts," which was released in April.

Also on Tuesday, the House of Blues hosts "The Vagrant Tour," featuring Vagrant Records artists Alkaline Trio, From Autumn to Ashes, No Motiv and Reggie & the Full Effect. Tickets are $14.50 and $17 for the hard-rocking, four-band bill.

On sale

Enrique Iglesias plays The Joint on Feb. 28. Tickets are $53 and $88 and go on sale at noon Monday at the Hard Rock box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Superjoint Ritual stops at the House of Blues on Dec. 12 with DevilDriver. Tickets are $15 and go on sale at 4 p.m. today at the House of Blues box office, by phone at 632-7600, at www.hob.com and through TicketMaster.

Tickets are on sale now for three other recent additions to the House of Blues concert calendar: a "Rock in the House" bill featuring Firehouse, John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, Dave Mason, Colin Hay and the Nelson Brothers on Dec. 1 ($12.50), the Foo Fighters on Dec. 9 ($32.50) and the "Shade Tree V" benefit show featuring John Waite, the Gin Blossoms, Jody Watley and Bonafied on Dec. 13 ($30, $40 and $100).