Downtown Navasota is soon to be transformed into a live stage as aspiring country singers from all over the south travel to audition for the new American singing competition television series, The Sound of Small Town America.
The Sound is being held by the Inspirational Country Music Association, or ICMA, with the goal of discovering fresh talent and “the next generation of music leaders upholding strong values,” according to their website. The competition consists of four preliminary auditions held in small towns all over the United States, including Brazos Valley’s own Navasota. Preliminary finalists will advance to Nashville, TN where they will perform live at the Grand Ole Opry House. The winner will be awarded with a professional songwriting session and the recording of a six-song EP album.
In conjunction with auditions, the City of Navasota will be organizing a street festival in the downtown area on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 21, that will include vendors, street food and an array of activities catering to all age groups for the whole family to enjoy. The event is completely free and open to the public and will conclude with an evening concert featuring surprise guest singers.
Bobbie Lehrman, the marketing and communications director of the City of Navasota, says the city is eager to spotlight their downtown and community culture. Bobbie is hopeful of a resounding community response, envisioning a large turnout for the show and festival.
“We would love to see some of Navasota’s own talent participating in the competition,” Bobbie says. “So far, [ICMA] has received hundreds of applications to participate in the show, so we’re all very excited about it.”
Bobbie says that applications will remain open for a limited window of time on the ICMA website, and will close three weeks prior to the preliminary competition. Contestants must be 16 or older to enter. According to the ICMA website, each entry will receive a ticket to the Inspirational Country Music Association Awards Show as part of their $50 submission fee where the finale for The Sound will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House on March 27, 2024.
The top five Texas contestants will also have the chance to come back to Navasota in advance of the finale to practice their live performance at the annual Texas Birthday Bash in March.
Historically renowned as the "Blues Capital of Texas," the event looks to put Navasota back on the map as a Texas music destination. Bobbie says the city is also currently in the process of becoming a certified music-friendly Texas community, an endeavor aimed at attracting music enthusiasts and boosting the local economy through tourism.
“We're a changing town — both the city and private investors have recently put a lot of money and time into it, so we're excited that it's being recognized,” Bobbie says. “We're hoping that this event not only serves as entertainment for the community, but also benefits the businesses in town. People will come to the show and visit our boutiques, eat at our restaurants, or enjoy a drink on our rooftop bar; we're hoping that they will come and fall in love with the uniqueness that Navasota has to offer.”
For more information about The Sound competition, visit the ICMA website.
