Two of a kind

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hardy Hacker said he figured there would be a lot of "breath holdin' " going on Thursday night.

And in the end, he was right.

Zac and Angela Hacker, two of his five children, were two of the four finalists on "Nashville Star," the reality series modeled after "American Idol." The show is seeking the next big country music artist.

Hardy Hacker said he knew there was a possibility one of his children could be voted off the show Thursday.

As it turned out, Zac and Angela once again survived another round of voting.

The Hackers will be joined by David St. Romain, of Baton Rouge, as the three contestants going into the show's finale.

The winner will be the 2007 Nashville Star and will receive a contract with Warner Bros. Records, a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a chance to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Zac Hacker said after the show that he believes his sister will be the next Nashville Star.

"I think Angela is going to win," Hacker said on stage after the show. "I want Angela to win."

Angela Hacker said she believed her brother's performance Thursday

increased his chances of winning.

"I think Zac has a huge chance," Angela Hacker said.

Zac Hacker performed the Lionel Richey tune "Lady," a song he said he loved but had never played live before.

"I picked it because it's one song that moved me, and I wanted to do something that moved people and moved me," Hacker said.

His sister selected the Deanna Carter song "Strawberry Wine."

Angela Hacker said so far she has far exceeded her expectation by remaining on the show this far and now is in a position to win.

"It really does feel good," she said. "I'm thankful every day that I'm here."

They both said they cannot count out St. Romain as someone who could capture the title from them.

Rick Hall, founder of FAME Studios, was once again in attendance to watch the Hackers-perform.

"I think they were overpowering, incredible," Hall said. "I was blown away by their selections."

Hall admits he is biased since the Hackers are employed as songwriters in his and his son's publishing companies.

"It would be hard for me to pick number one and number two," Hall said.

Hardy Hacker, who spent years playing to crowds as part of the Hacker Brothers band, said he is proud of his childrens' performances on the show.

"It's just like I told my daughter and told my son, if you don't win, it doesn't mean your career's over," Hardy Hacker said.

He said record labels have already approached both Zac and Angela based on their appearances on the show.

He said Zac is happy with making it this far, but his daughter "wants to ride it all the way."

Hardy Hacker said he thinks all 10 of the young people who started the show are winners.

The 10 finalists were selected from 20,000 people from all over the country who auditioned for the program.

For Hacker, the prize that will mean the most to him is seeing Zac or Angela performing at the Grand Ole Opry, one dream he was never able to realize.

The energy inside the Aycuff Theatre was electric with fans holding up signs for their favorite star.

Between songs, clips were shown from a weekend visit to the Shoals by Angela and Zac.

The Hackers returned to the Shoals for a wild homecoming in which fans swarmed into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame to hear them perform.

They also performed a full concert with some Shoals musicians at PJ's in Muscle Shoals.

"It couldn't have gone any better," said Rodney Hall, of the FAME Music Group. "I think the community really came out with their support for Zac and Angela, and they obviously appreciated it greatly."

Zac Hacker is signed to Hall's company, House of FAME Publishing, while Angela Hacker is signed to Rick Hall Music, which is owned by FAME founder Rick Hall.

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