It might seem a swamped landscape for singing competitions.
But Nick Jonas hopes the one he’s supporting is different enough to lure a young megastar.
"The Quaker Chewy Superstar Search" isn’t on TV, and its age requirements target the kid demographic -- ages 8-14 to be specific.
Hopeful singers can expose their best vocal work online by submitting a video to www.chewysuperstar.com or do it live this weekend when the mobile recording studio makes a couple of stops in Atlanta as part of a 19-city tour.
The first 90 arrivals will be given access to the mobile studio to record one of four pre-selected songs.
The winner of the “Superstar Search” will record a song produced by Jonas, film an online music video and receive a contract with Jonas Group Management and $5,000 in cash.
While Jonas, the 18-year-old baby-faced heartthrob of the brotherly pop trio, appeared last week at the mobile studio stop in Chicago, he isn’t expected at the Atlanta auditions.
Then again, he mentioned during a quick chat from that Chicago stop that his schedule was “a little up in the air.”
Here’s what Jonas had to say about the contest and his future music-making plans:
Q: Did you come up with the idea for the contest, or did Quaker approach you about it?
A: It was a combined effort. We wanted to combine their snack and the Jonas Brothers' fans in a creative way to find a new star who will have a long career in music.
Q: What is it that you’re looking for in “The Next Young Superstar”?
A: Someone who has a real voice and is a true artist. If we can find someone with something they want to sing about, that would be a blessing. Just someone who is as passionate about music as I was at that age.
Q: Have you watched any of the numerous singing contest shows on TV?
A: I've watched some of them, but I'm not a big TV watcher in general. I'll catch the monumental events, like the finales.
Q: How do you feel this competition is different?
A: The age group we're targeting, mostly. The overall competition is about being encouraging, following those dreams.
Q: How involved will you be in picking the winner?
A: I'll be heavily involved. I have a great team helping to narrow down [the contestants]. I'll be producing a song for the winner and hopefully give them tips and advice.
Q: You’re only 18, but obviously you have the musical pedigree of someone twice your age. What artistic advice to you plan to give anyone who asks for it?
A: To follow things you're passionate about and stay true to who you are. I want the person to be an artist and have something to say. Hopefully, we'll find that person. I've done that and have had a good team around me.
Q: What’s going on with your career? You’re going to do “Hairspray” in August in Los Angeles, right?
A: I am. It's an amazing cast, and I'm looking forward to getting into it. Theater is a big passion of mine, so I'm excited to have the opportunity now to do some projects. It's been a fun journey, relearning how to operate in that world.
Q: Any plans for a new album from the Jonas Brothers or the Administration [Jonas' side band]?
A: As far as [the Jonas Brothers] go, it will be awhile before we start back up. I look forward to that day because right now we're all following individual goals and projects. I've thought about the Administration but don't have a definite yes or no yet.
If you go
"Quaker Chewy Mobile Recording Studio Tour"
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday. Sam’s Club, 2901 Clairmont Road N.E., Atlanta. Both events are free. www.chewysuperstar.com.
