Entertainment, TV, Television - Marine Corps Times

Sailor in top 8 on ‘Nashville Star’

NBC flew three sailors from the carrier Kitty Hawk, in port in Hawaii, to the country music capital to watch their friend and shipmate perform in the country music competition “Nashville Star.”

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Tommy Stanley sang Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road” on June 30, earning a spot in the show’s top eight while MM1 Marvin Cook, MM3 Kody Davis, and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Reinhardt cheered him on from the audience.

Back on Kitty Hawk, which is moored at Pearl Harbor, Stanley’s shipmates are paying close attention to the show and rooting him on.

“He’s an incredible artist, I think,” said MM3 Adrian Mallory, who worked with Stanley in Kitty Hawk’s engineering department.

Mallory would listen to Stanley play guitar and sing in one of the ship’s laundry rooms after standing watch. He soon became a fan of Stanley’s songs.

“He’s been working on his music for years,” Mallory said. “I hope he makes it.”

Stanley’s first step to “Nashville Star” came at a singing competition at the officers’ club at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, a few months ago. Stanley competed against service members from all military branches stationed in Japan. He sang “Lonely Oklahoma,” a song he wrote about the “saddest part in the heart,” Stanley said.

After winning in Japan, Stanley flew to Norfolk, Va., where he was selected as the military representative to the show.

If Stanley survives elimination next Monday, toll-free and text message voting times July 7 will be as follows:

• Puerto Rico: 9:55 p.m. to midnight.

• Eastern Time: 9:55 p.m. to midnight.

• Central Time: 8:55 to 11 p.m.

• Mountain Time: 8:55 to 11 p.m.

• Arizona: 8:55 to 11 p.m.

• Pacific: 9:55 p.m. to midnight.

• Hawaii: 8:55 to 11 p.m.

• Alaska: 8:55 to 11 p.m.

Or, visit http://www.NBC.com and follow the links to vote online. Online voting is limited to 10 votes per e-mail address.