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Local Musicians Face Off In Final Round Of Competition To Win A One-Year, Rent-Free Stay At The SoBro

Local Musicians Face Off In Final Round Of Competition To Win A One-Year, Rent-Free Stay At The SoBro

By MP&F Staff

On Saturday, musicians Jay Filson, Katie Ray, and Parker and Kelly Bradway will compete to be named “The SoBro Star” and win a yearlong, rent-free stay at The SoBro, Nashville’s tallest rental apartment high-rise.

The “American Idol”-style final round is the culmination of a month long search for the “The SoBro Star” as part of Magellan Development’s artist-in-residence program. Dozens of musicians entered the contest by uploading a 60-second clip to social media. Wells Adams, “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” contestant and local radio personality, will emcee the event. Judges Ashley Haugen, managing editor of StyleBlueprint; Morey Hill, co-host of “The Ben & Morey Show”; and Jodi Lynn Dawes, music industry publicist at Webster Public Relations, will provide expert commentary.

“With The SoBro Star artist-in-residence program, our hope was to offer our residents even greater access to the wonderful talent found in Music City,” said Jim Losik, national marketing director at Magellan Development. “What has been such a great surprise is the interest we have received from people across the country and of all types of musical talent. We can’t wait to continue our artist-in-residence programs in Nashville and other markets.”

A fourth contestant, Andrew Henderson, has been named an honorary finalist. Henderson is actively serving in the U.S. Air Force in North Carolina and is unable to participate in The SoBro Star. Henderson will be recognized at the event for his incredible talent and service to our country.

About the finalists:

  • Singer/songwriter and Michigan native Jay Filson released his debut EP last April. Filson has honed his sound over the last few years, performing at colleges and local venues throughout the Midwest. With a style somewhere between Ed Sheeran and Jon McLaughlin, Filson puts on a one-of-a-kind show by looping beatboxing, vocals, piano and guitar all live on the spot. Find out more about him at jayfilson.com.
  • Katie Ray came to Nashville from small-town Minnesota, following her dreams. After graduating at the top of her class at Belmont University, she now works in the industry while writing and performing more than ever. She loves small and large stages, and performs a wide variety of genres while entertaining all across Minnesota, and now in Nashville.
  • Parker and Kelly Bradway met in 2010 while playing songwriter nights in Nashville. They fell in love and continued pursuing their music careers individually until one day they teamed up with their good friend, Dan, to create the country music trio they now call MamaDear. They began touring the country and opening for artists like Martina McBride, Brett Eldredge, Thompson Square and Charlie Daniels, and in 2014, they were named “Best Up-and-Comer” at CMA Fest by Rolling Stone Magazine. A few months later, the same week Parker and Kelly got married, Kenny Chesney’s manager signed the trio and continued to develop them as artists. For more on MamaDear, visit mamadear.com.