Date: Dec 27
It's the same old
refrain: He's got Tennessee on his mind Karaoke star still hones his
talent He's eager to start his singing career, but wants to
finish his music education degree first. Jason Chrisley has
recovered from the disappointment of losing the state karaoke
tournament and has a new dream - Dollywood.
Last spring,
Chrisley won the local karaoke championship held at The Farmhouse in
Christiansburg. He hoped to win the state championship in Blackstone
and a trip to the nationals in Nashville, the city his dreams of
country stardom revolve around. But when the big night came, his
tear-jerking rendition of "Holes in the Floor of Heaven"
was bested by a wild version of "Footloose" by
Charlottesville's Michael Vernon. Without the chance to perform in
Nashville, Chrisley's second-place plaque was little consolation. At
first devastated, Chrisley was soon buoyed by his eternal optimism
and self-confidence. Since that painful night in Blackstone, he has
performed locally, recorded a song and begun collaborating with
Pulaski songwriter Eddie Sutphin. He replaced his tired old karaoke
machine with a new system and has been practicing new songs, such as
Chad Brock's "The Visit" and Eric Heatherly's "Swimming
in Champagne."
"I'm better
than I was," he said. "I feel like I'm really ready."
Meanwhile, he's
still working as a meat cutter at the Dublin Shop-eez and earning a
degree in music education at Virginia Tech. He's anxious to start his
singing career, but wants to finish his student teaching and graduate
in May.
"I've been
through too much hard work and long hours and stress not to do
it," he said. "But my real dream is singing. I'm just
really looking forward to getting that degree so I can go to Tennessee."
Nashville is still
his ultimate destination, but right now he's eyeing another of the
Volunteer State's glittering meccas - Dolly Parton's Pigeon Forge
amusement park, Dollywood. He plans to audition there in January and
hopefully spend the summer performing for visitors to the park.
"I just
really feel like my place is down there singing," he said.
"I just think it would be a really good way to get my name out
there and get some publicity."
So if all goes
well, he'll be too busy singing at Dollywood to compete in this
year's karaoke contest. But he wouldn't mind a rematch with Vernon.
"I'd like to
get another shot at that guy. I don't think he'd get me this year."
Taken from an
article found in The Roanoke Times
|