Aspiring country stars have the opportunity to kick-start their careers via the 4th annual NASH Next competition.

NASH Next 2018 officially launched on June 18, bringing together aspiring stars, a major record label (Big Machine Label Group) and the power of country radio (Cumulus Media). The winner of the four-month competition will receive a record deal with Big Machine Label Group and substantial radio exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

On July 9, the Fan Rating Period opened, allowing fans in local markets to rate the music of each entrant via NASH Next or participating local stations. The Fan Rating Period closes on July 22, 12:01 a.m. ET.

Local markets will then host live events or select their finalist by judging the contestants in a video performance of their original song.

Ten of the local finalists will be selected by industry professionals to compete at the national finale event in Nashville in October where a panel of celebrity judges—including BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks—will announce the NASH Next 2018 winner.

“I’m always on the hunt for great new talent, and there’s arguably no better way to do it than through country radio,” said Borchetta. “In our fourth year with NASH Next, this program provides the Big Machine Label Group an incredible opportunity to have our eyes and ears on the ground in all of the great Cumulus country radio markets. If you want to be next, enter now. Game on.”

Everyone who registers to rate the contestants will be entered to win a trip to the Nash Next finale in October. One rating per entrant per email address.