Cumulus Media Launches 4th Annual NASH Next 2018

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 18, 2018

NASH Next

NASH Next 2018, led by Cumulus Media, kicks off its fourth annual grassroots national search for the nation's newest star in over 54 markets across the U.S. including Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Nashville. Beginning Monday, local artists may enter the competition via the NASH Next website or one of the 62 local station websites. The winner of this four-month-long national competition will receive a record deal under the Big Machine Label Group.

Florida Georgia Line, commenting on NASH Next 2018, said, "There are so many ways to reach your goals in the music business. We found a way that worked for us but that's not the only way - NASH Next from our friends at Cumulus Media is an incredible way to get noticed and reach a whole new audience with radio airplay. That's a big deal y'all. So work hard, stay true to yourself and your music, and good things will happen."

The NASH Next 2017 winner, Radio Romance, released their debut single "Weekend" in April, 2018 and cracked the top 50 country charts their first week on the radio. They also appeared at CMA Fest this June and will start their Summer/Fall tour this August. "This whole experience has been truly incredible," remarked Radio Romance lead singer Sam Hayes and NASH Next 2017 winner. "There is honestly no way to describe what it's like when you hear your first single played on the radio or when you see your name on the Country music charts."

Listeners will be invited to rate the emerging artists with local music professional helping select the local finalist. The top 10 finalists, and ultimately the 2018 winner, will be selected by a panel of country luminaries, including Big Machine Label Group Founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta, and Kix Brooks, half of Brooks & Dunn. Additional celebrity judges to be announced at a later date.

"I'm always on the hunt for great new talent and there's arguably no better way to do it than through Country Radio," said Borchetta. "In our fourth year with NASH Next, this program provides the Big Machine Label Group an incredible opportunity to have our eyes and ears on the ground in all of the great Cumulus Country radio markets. If you want to be next, enter now. Game on..."

"I really enjoyed being part of NASH Next last year - the level of talent continues to get better and more competitive every year, and this music platform is working! It's been fun to watch last year's winner, Radio Romance, catch the wave and surf it to the next level of their career," noted Brooks.