KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |East Texas Music Instructor Sends Three Students To Nashville Star Competition

East Texas Music Instructor Sends Three Students To Nashville Star Competition

He's been teaching music for more than 40 years, and has touched hundreds of students lives with his love for the guitar and songwriting. John De Foore of Mineola has used his experience to help get two of his students on national television, and a third on her way.

In the 1st season of the hit reality show "Nashville Star", Miranda Lambert of Lindale took third in the viewer voting.  Last season, Lindale's Casey Rivers came in second, and next month Golden's Kacey Musgraves will take the stage hoping to become the next Nashville Star.  

They all have different singing style's, but do have one thing in common, John De Foore who taught all three guitar and songwriting lessons.  "I guess it's kind of corny because I kind of think of them as my babies," said De Foore. "I'm really proud of them." 

De Foore began playing the guitar when he was 12 years old, and later began teaching lessons on the side.  "I went to England in the service and it came time to getting a passport because I was going to stay there when I got out and it said occupation, and I thought, 'I have no idea', so I put down musician," said De Foore. 

Now in Mineola, De Foore teaches more than 60 students, including Brin Beavers, 15.  "John is awesome," said BBeavers. "He knows everything about every kind of music. He's taught me everything from guitar cords and melodies, to different ways that I should sing and different writing skills." 

De Foore says he's a strong believer in pushing songwriting on his students.  "I feel like if I teach you to play and all you do is play other people's music than I just kind of created a sophisticated tape recorder," said De Foore. 

It's songwriting and passion for music, De Foore says that got his former students in the spotlight.  

The first episode of Nashville Star's 5th season airs Thursday, January 11th on the USA Network. Remember, the viewers choose the winner, so watch for East Texas' own Kacey Musgraves.

Molly Reuter, Reporting. mreuter@kltv.com