As summer continues to heat up, so do the contestants on stage for Season 3 Beech Bend Superstar Contest! The winner of Week 4 was Abby Ekas of Nashville, TN. Abby sang “Temporary Home” and is looking forward to the Superstar Finale on September 3rd! Last year’s winner, when asked about Superstar, gave the following advice, “you better be prepared! That was the toughest competition I have ever been in!”

Beech Bend Superstar Contest is a singing contest and is open to all ages. All genres of music can be heard on the Superstar stage on any given weekend. Contestants have heard the word that “Superstar” is the place to be, opening many doors of opportunity for those who cross its stage. This week’s competition was no exception, as contestants crossed the stage from as far away as Oklahoma. As one judge quoted, “there needs to be more places for these up and coming stars to develop their craft and gain exposure!”

The judges for week 4 were Rick & Teresa Schweinsberg, and Amber Shaylene.

Rick Schweinsberg began his musical career in 1975, shortly after he was saved as a teenager. He formed and managed his own Southern Gospel group in Portsmouth, Ohio, called the True Gospel Sounds. The True Gospel Sounds traveled from 1975-1998. Rick sang lead, did the emcee work, and played bass guitar. Rick’s original songs have been recorded by the Hoppers, the Dixie Melody Boys/DMB Bando the Triumphant Quartet, the Jeff Treece Band, and others. His songs have also been published in songbooks released by Gaither Music Publishing and Rex Nelon Publishing. From 1985-1988, Rick was sales manager and afternoon drive DJ for WPAY Radio in Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1988, Rick founded WXIC AM 660 in Waverly, Ohio, where he was the operations manager and morning drive DJ. He also founded and developed the Southern Gospel Music Satellite Radio Network. In 1999, Rick founded WRAU Radio in Wheelersburg, Ohio, with a Contemporary Christian format. From 1983-2007, Rick owned and operated Sweet Spirit Recording Studio in Wheelersburg, Ohio, where he engineered and produced many recording projects and helped groups with their music ministry. During that time, he developed Sweet Spirit Records, Red Hen Records, and Ahmish Records.

Teresa Schweinsberg is with Daywind and is also a transition coach for Sumner County Schools.

Amber Shalene has sung on the stages of Israel, Europe and South Africa is featured on the national CD compilation entitled BEST NEW NASHVILLE. It is the latest exclusive offerings from the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Produced by Teddy Gentry founding member of the supergroup Alabama. Amber’s was handpicked by Gentry to become one of the 12 “new voices of country” to be showcased on the eclectic musical collection featuring gospel, traditional and contemporary country tunes, in over 600 stores.

Scorekeeping for week 4 was provided by Jennifer Gowan, a professional escape artist currently performing with Dinky Gown, a professional magician. Dinky has been a professional magician for over 25 years. He does over 600 shows per year and has performed all over the country, including Vegas. Together, Dinky and Jennifer make up a faced paced show that includes ventriloquism, illusions and escapes!

Hosting Season 3 Beech Bend Superstar Contest is 95Live WGGC, “The Goober.”

For more information about Superstar, log onto the Beech Bend website at www.beechbend.com or send an e-mail to beechbendsuperstar@gmail.com.

Beech Bend Superstar contest has 9 weeks to go, with the finale taking place on Sept 3, 2011. Come out and join the fun…cheer on your favorite contestant…be a part of the summer action!