KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |East Texan Heads To Nashville To Sing On National TV

East Texan Heads To Nashville To Sing On National TV

Another East Texas musician will soon be taking his music to the national stage. Shy Blakeman of Kilgore has toured Texas for the past two years, and is among the finalists invited to USA's Nashville Star, a country music version of American Idol.

Singing, playing the guitar and performing runs in the 25-year-old's blood.

"It's always been in my family," said Blakeman. "My dad sings. My uncle is an Elvis impersonator and my grandma plays the dobro. It's always been in my life." In 1979, Shy's father started a band called Whiskey Fever. A few years ago, Shy became the lead singer in that band.

"We've been playing around Texas for about two years and you know we very rarely say country music," said Shy. "Right now there is this big movement called Texas music and that's a mix of everything. It's Southern rock. It's Blues. It's Country." Shy says he will bring an originality to the show, bare feet and all, and he's definitely not shy.

"I'm a lot different than other people," said Shy. "I like to get out there and I like to have fun. I like to get the crowd into it." At the same time, Shy says he's a little worried because it's America's vote that picks the next Nashville Star.

"I'm kind of nervous about that because like I said when people first see me it takes a minute to get used to me," said Shy. Even so, Shy says America is ready to hear Texas music, and he's glad to be the one singing it.

The first episode of Nashville Star will air Tuesday, March 14th on USA. The winner of the show will be awarded a recording contract.

Molly Reuter, reporting. mreuter@kltv.com