We had an AMAZING TIME yesterday at the Limelight Eventplex with all of the spectacular Nash Next contestants, the judges, and the WONDERFUL listeners and fans!!
If you only have a few minutes for a recap, here’s a highlight video.
The countdown is on…The #NashNext 2016 local final challenge starts at 2pm @LimelightPeoria – all ages, free and doors open at 1:30!
— NASH FM 97.3 (@973NASH) September 11, 2016
The day started off with the Bogart Jones band:
Then Stephanie Foster…
Brent Lidwell took the stage next!
Followed by the holdouts.
The Harvest Sons were then up…
Then Eric Burgett and his keyboard…
Zach Linley and the Rebel Daredevils took their turn next…
Tasji Bachman strummed her guitar…
Brian Dennison kept the stage rocking….
And Matt Miller closed it down!
Then the judges went back into their room to count, argue, and deliberate.This was literally anyone’s contest. Shelly, Jim, Matt, and I all spoke backstage in awe of how we literally had NO IDEA who the winner was going to be because everyone killed it! Finally, the judges emerged. It was an EXTREMELY close competition, separated by MERE POINTS! But there had to be one winner moving onto the National competition of Nash Next and representing Peoria (and really all of Illinois, as we were the ONLY competition in the state) is…
Congratulations, Brian! Every contestant should consider themselves a winner, because we’re literally not just saying this to make anyone feel better, but there must be something in the Illinois River that churns out some AMAZING talent! Peoria is literally where it’s at. Nashville was so yesterday! Peoria is the actual Music City!