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Downtown Puckett’s promotes rising songwriters
Competition for Rising Star 3 is underway
By Ashley Bone/Staff Writer
Puckett's Grocery, which has served up some of the best food in downtown Franklin for five years, is now becoming a famed live music venue.
 | Photo by Ashley Bone
Amanda Broadway performs “Love Me” during a preliminary round of the Rising Star competition. She was selected by the judges as a winner to move into the Top 14.
|  | Photo by Ashley Bone
John Michael performs during a recent Rising Star competition.
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Less than a year after Puckett's launched the first season of Rising Star, songwriters from throughout Middle Tennessee are taking the opportunity to perform at the open mic songwriter contest.
The Rising Star 3 competition is currently under way from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays. Each week, 10 to 20 songwriters take the stage and compete to advance to the finals. Two winners are selected each week, one by the audience and one by the judges.
While the votes are being tallied, a popular singer-songwriter performs several of their hit songs. Past performances have included Alvarado Road Show, Chris Janz, Donna Ulysse, T.W Hale, Mica Roberts, Carter’s Choice, Sarah Majors and Buzz Cason.
Keith Mohr, founder and CEO of Indieheaven.com, a Web site for independent Christian musicians, said he approached Puckett's owner Andy Marshall last fall with the open mic singer /songwriter contest. Together, Mohr, Marshall, and Wally Nason, owner of Nason Music Group, launched the Rising Star competition last fall.
“Anyone could perform their original song without auditioning,” Mohr explained. “The winning songwriter receives a $500 check from Puckett’s and they are part of a writers round with other well-known songwriters.”
Marshall said the songwriters bring a wide variety of talent during each week’s competition.
“There’s a mix of really great talent and for others, they are trying to improve,” he said.
Mohr said both the audience and the songwriters have enjoyed each competition.
“It’s like watching NASCAR, “ he said. “You watch to see the wrecks and see who wins.”
Jason Kuhn was named the Rising Star 1 winner. Kuhn moved to Thompson’s Station last September after receiving his commercial music degree from South Plains College in Texas. He placed third in a songwriter contest last fall at Jeffrey’s Grille in Spring Hill and then he entered the Puckett’s contest.
“It was humbling that people thought highly of my music,” he said. “The contest made me feel I could play in a range with the big boys. It was my time, but someone else easily could have won.”
After winning Rising Star 1, Kuhn received $500 and had the opportunity to play in a songwriting round with songwriters Wynn Varble and Bart Allmond.
He said being named the winner of Rising Star 1 has given him the confidence to continue his music pursuits.
“Puckett’s is a springboard and it gives you the confidence to get songs pitched,” he said, adding Mark Chestnut has expressed an interest in “Faith and Farming,” which he performed during the contest.
Nashville resident John Smith was named the winner of Rising Star 2. Smith said he wrote a humorous song for the competition called “Tasered.” This was Smith’s first competition and he said winning was great, but the best part of the experience was the people he met.
“I’ve made great friends and met other songwriters,” Smith said. “It’s a great night out whether you’re participating or not.”
He added that the competition, for him, was a painless process.
“It’s as low stress as a thing like that can be,” Smith said.
Marshall said the Rising Star contest has quickly become one of the best songwriter events in the area.
Kuhn agrees.
“Puckett’s is a place where good music happens,” he said. “It’s a bona fide live venue. If you compete, enjoy it. Have fun and learn from others around you.”
The top 14 singer/songwriters will compete in the semi-final round Tuesday, July 14, for a spot in the top four. On Tuesday, July 21, the top four will compete for the title of Rising Star 3.
A $5 cover is charged for all attendees, which goes towards the cash prize and event expenses. Contestants must arrive at Puckett’s Grocery in Franklin by 6 p.m. Tuesdays for each preliminary event.
Puckett’s Grocery is located at 120 Fourth Avenue South. For more information, contact Keith Mohr at mohr.keith@gmail.com or (615) 594-0426.
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