Shoals singers compete in Nashville

Two Shoals musicians are set to square off in an attempt to become the nation's next big country music star.

The fifth season of "Nashville Star" will feature singer/songwriters Angela Hacker and Zac Hacker.

The Hackers are well known around the Shoals, performing solo and as a duet.

That will not be the case, however, on "Nashville Star."

"They will be competing against each other, which will be very interesting," said Rodney Hall, president of FAME Music Publishing.

It's even more interesting because Zac, 23, and Angela, 29, are brother and sister.

Hall has good reason to be pleased that the Hackers are appearing on the show. "Zac writes for us," Hall said.

"Angela writes for my dad's company. They're both in house, so it's a good thing."

The show features 10 aspiring country music artists who are competing for a recording contract with Warner Music Group.

The Hackers and the eight other performers were selected from more than 20,000 country music hopefuls who participated in a nationwide search.

A panel of judges, including Randy Owen, founding member of the group Alabama, Blake Shelton and Anastasia Brown, will critique the performances.

The show is being hosted by pop singer Jewel and the rapping country artist and MuzikMafia member Cowboy Troy.

John Patton, a friend of Angela Hacker, said she and her brother have been busy with taping the first episode of the show in Nashville

The premier episode will air at 9 p.m. Thursday on the USA Network.

Patton said the judges will actually "kick off" two performers during that first show. He said the show on Jan. 18 would be presented live.

Fans across the country will get to vote for their favorite performers as the show progresses, which is a familiar process for viewers of the popular "American Idol" show.

Patton said it's great that out of 10 performers on the show, two are from the Shoals and writers for FAME.

"We need as many people to vote as possible," Patton said.

For more information about the show and to follow the Hackers' progress, go to usanetwork.com and follow the links to the Nashville Star site.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.