TENNESSEE WHISKEY THE MUSICAL To Launch National Talent Search to Find the Next George Strait

The producers of Tennessee Whiskey the Musical, are opening up a national talent search to cast the role of the King of Country, George Strait for their upcoming production of Tennessee Whiskey the Musical, the story of Dean Dillon. To kick-off the search, they are launching a virtual audition process where interested performers can post a video singing and playing a George Strait/Dean Dillon song. These videos will be seen by the show's casting team and it could earn them a chance for a callback at one of the show's National auditions taking place in New York, Nashville and Las Vegas in the summer of 2018.*

"If we've learned anything from shows like The Voice and American Idol, it's that great singers come from everywhere and may not always have the opportunity to live in a major city for casting. The character of George Strait is integral to our show and sings some very famous songs, and the fans will want to hear an authentic country singer. So we're excited to start this national talent search - and what better way to reach talent than by kicking it off with virtual auditions!" Writer/producer, Dewey Moss

To Participate:

· Visit TennesseeWhiskeytheMusical.com or the Facebook Page

· Make a video of yourself playing and singing a Dean Dillon song in the style of George Strait

· Make sure your video is in one of these formats only: MOV, MP4, or M4V. No other formats will be accepted.

· Fill out this form, read the FAQs, agree to the terms and submit

· Post it on Youtube or Vimeo, and tag the video #TennesseeWhiskeyAudition

· Share the video, get your friends to share, and ask them to comment on why you'd be great in the role!

Written by Dewey Moss, Tennessee Whiskey The Musical tells the story of Dean Dillon, Country Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, BMI Icon award recipient, and the writer of some of country music's most popular songs by singers such as George Strait, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Pam Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Rodriguez, Gary Stewart, and many more. His music defined a generation, but it did not come without a price, personal struggles with alcoholism and drugs almost ended his life. Ultimately about redemption and success, Tennessee Whiskey is an emotional story told in a way that only country music can. Theatre and dates TBA

Tennessee Whiskey features hit songs such as "The Chair," "Unwound," "Marina Del Rey," "Ocean Front Property," "She Calls It Love," "How Long Does It Take," "I'm Lying In Love With You," "I'm Into the Bottle," "We Got 'Em Smokin' in the Rockies," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "The Road Less Traveled," "Here for a Good Time," "Tennessee Whiskey" and many more, along with several new songs Dillon is writing specifically for this production.

DEAN DILLON (Composer) started playing guitar at the age of seven and at 15 he appeared on a variety show called "JIM CLAYTON'S STARTIME" as a songwriter and performer; by the end of high school, Dean Dillon had his mind set on Nashville.

In 1976, Dillon landed the role of Hank Williams in Opryland's Country Music Show, USA. The theme park gig indirectly helped Dillon secure his first publishing deal with Nashville producer, publisher Tom Collins. Three weeks later Barbara Mandrell recorded three of Dillon's songs. In 1979 Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius had a number one hit with Dillon's "Lying Here In Love with You" a song he co-wrote with fellow tunesmith Gary Harrison of "Strawberry Wine" fame. It was both writers first number one hit record.

Although it was writing songs for others where Dillon's future lay, the young singer was hell bent on making it as a recording artist. Between 1979 and 1981 Dillon released 12 singles for RCA Records. Three of the songs reached the Top 30 on the country charts, including "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her," which climbed all the way to number 25 (and later became a number 1 hit for George Strait). As an artist, Dillon charted eight times and broke the Top 30 with "I'm into the Bottle (To Get You out of My Mind)." He also wrote hits for other country stars like the 1983 George Jones number 1 hit "Tennessee Whiskey". After "Those were the Days", Dillon took a five-year hiatus from recording, cleaned up his personal life and concentrated on songwriting. He wrote or co-wrote a number of hits during this period and had considerable success with George Strait, who took five of his songs to the charts between 1981 & 1988. The exposure landed Dillon a new contract with Capitol Records, who released two Ricky Scruggs produced albums, Slick Nickel and I've Learned to Live. The later featured a Tanya Tucker duet "Don't You Even Think About Leaving." Dillon next signed with ATLANTIC, where he issued his most successful album. It was 1991's Out of Your Mind which referenced the hard country of Dillon's heroes, but it also flirted with pop. The LP was lauded as a throwback, an answer to Nashville's penchant for vapidity.

In 2002, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (along with Bob Dylan and Shel Silverstein). Early the following year Dillon signed a songwriting contract with Sony/A TV Tree, which came after his fifteen-year relationship with Rose Acuff, a publishing company Sony acquired in July 2002.

Dillon has composed or co-written 63 songs for Strait, including 19 singles, 11 which went to number one. His other accolades include 1985 Billboard Country Music Artist of The Year Award; 1986 Nashville Song Writers Award; 1995, 1996, 1998 CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARD; Three Time Grammy Nominee; Lee Iacocca Award (American Automotive Division); Twenty-Six Number One Records Award; and the coveted 2013 BMI Icon Award.

FAQs:

How long will it be before I hear if I have a callback?

We will be announcing the dates of the talent search soon and will notify all those invited to a callback in time for you to make travel arrangements. Only those receiving a callback from the virtual audition posts will be contacted.

Do I have to look and sing like George Strait?

We are casting a Broadway-style musical. We are seeking singer/musicians/actors who can play the role of a young George Strait. We are looking for performers who have some resemblance to a young George Strait and possess the same kind of vocal sound he has when he sings and speaks.

If I post a video am I guaranteed an audition?

No. Only those who are contacted will be invited to one of the audition locations.

Will you pay for my travel and accommodations to the audition?

The auditions for the role of George Strait in Tennessee Whiskey the Musical are open calls and anyone may attend, however, we will not reimburse anyone for travel or accommodations.

Are you really casting from these auditions?

The talent search is an effort to find individuals who can truly play the role of George Strait in our new musical. While we cannot guarantee that we will exclusively cast the role from these set of auditions, we are actively and seriously looking for castable talent at these open calls. For more information on the musical, visit tennesseewhiskeythemusical.com.

Do I have to be a member of a performing union to audition?

No. This is a talent search and open call, so anyone may audition. Union calls will be conducted at another time, and if hired proper contract negotiations with the union will take place.

*PLEASE NOTE: Time, date and locations of the live auditions are subject to change. By submitting an online video, you agree to allow Tennessee Whiskey the Musical to use the video for publicity purposes without compensation or guarantee of audition appointment, including posting the video on its social media channels and website.