Woman hopes to generate buzz for Hackers

FLORENCE – When Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks was trying to become the next “American Idol”, he had the help of the “Soul Patrol.”

One of the people who helped create Hicks’ hometown support team now plans to do the same thing for two local singer/songwriters who have similar ambitions.

Zac and Angela Hacker are finalists on the “Nashville Stars” program, which will ultimately produce a new country music star.

The Hackers are competing against eight up-and-coming performers for a recording contract and the ensuing publicity that would likely come.

Tina Parker, an attorney who is originally from Muscle Shoals, said the “Soul Patrol” began as a Web site and grew into a support group/voting bloc.

“Little did we know it would be a nationwide phenomenon,” Parker said. “It grew to be a pretty big deal in Birmingham.”

While “Nashville Stars” has fewer viewers than “American Idol,” Parker said she hopes the same buzz can be generated here for the Hackers.

“We need to give as much support to these guys as we did Taylor,” Parker said. “We want to see one of them win.”

So beginning tonight, friends, fans and supporters of the Hackers are invited to join Parker and her law partner, Elizabeth Berry, at Brinley Brothers Downtown Bistro at 230 E. Tennessee St. in Florence for a viewing/voting party.

There is no cover charge, Berry said.

Local musician Michael Ledbetter will perform after the show, which begins at 9 p.m.

A variety of door prizes donated by local merchants will be given away during commercial breaks.

Once the show ends, participants will be encouraged to begin voting.

Parker said that unlike “American Idol,” “Nashville Star” fans can only cast 10 votes per night for their favorite contestant.

“We learned in Birmingham that the best way to get people to vote was to get them to a place that was exciting,”Parker said.

Berry said the group will be taking suggestions for a name at today’s party and will vote on it Jan. 18. The winner will receive a prize.

“Zac and Angela both played at Brinley Brothers so there’s some history there,” Berry said.

The show is presented on the USA Network, which is broadcast locally on Comcast channel 41.

Parker said the show runs for eight weeks. Two contestants will be voted off the show tonight. She said the parties will continue until the Hackers are voted off or one of them wins.

Two other local restaurants are also hosting viewing/voting parties for the Hackers.

Bayou Blue on Florence Boulevard will have the show on their big screen television.

Angela Hacker played at the restaurant every Thursday with the group Barry and Walter, who will perform after the show.

LaFonda Mexicana, also on Florence Boulevard, is hosting a viewing party, too.

“We really need to be rooting for the local talent,” owner George Castell Jr. said. “This is really huge.”

Angela Hacker frequently performed at Lafonda and was occasionally joined by her brother.

“It’s too bad they can’t both win,” Parker said. “We hope when this catches on it will be as big as American Idol. It’s such a good thing for our area.”

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