Before They Were Stars

[ljbab728]

I'm not sure how many here were regular viewers, as I was, of Star Search in the 80's. I find the format much more entertaining than the current talent contest shows. I came across a few videos that I probably watched live but had no idea until now that they were future stars in the making.

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It's interesting that they all eventually lost.

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There were two singers that were my alltime favorites from that show. Both were very successful but never really became stars. Here's one with an amazing voice.

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And Oklahoma's own, Sam Harris. Please overlook the hair, LOL.

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Here is a compilation of Sam's Star Search appearances. It's surprising that he has received so little acclaim in his native state. (Because he isn't a country singer maybe?).

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How about a grass roots campaign to get Sam to sing the National Anthem for the Thunder during the Finals for next year. Wouldn't that be exciting?

[bluedogok]

A cousin of mine (Altus native) was on that show once up against Sam Harris with his band, his wife was on the show in its later years. He went onto form a group with two other Opryland amusement park entertainers, they formed the core of the group Diamond Rio. My cousin didn't like playing bars, hard to make it in country music without that, he is now a music minister at a church in the Nashville area and still does studio work and is married to a backup singer for Faith Hill. His brother didn't have the same issue with playing bars, they are back together and play the bar and casino circuit, their band (Restless Heart) has three Oklahoma natives (Altus, Nicoma Park and Bartlesville).

[ljbab728]

A cousin of mine (Altus native) was on that show once up against Sam Harris with his band, his wife was on the show in its later years. He went onto form a group with two other Opryland amusement park entertainers, they formed the core of the group Diamond Rio. My cousin didn't like playing bars, hard to make it in country music without that, he is now a music minister at a church in the Nashville area and still does studio work and is married to a backup singer for Faith Hill. His brother didn't have the same issue with playing bars, they are back together and play the bar and casino circuit, their band (Restless Heart) has three Oklahoma natives (Altus, Nicoma Park and Bartlesville).

I'm not quite sure I understand what you're saying because of the format for that show. Was your cousin an individual performer? They had bands on the show but they competed against other bands and not singers like Sam Harris.

[bluedogok]

My cousin competed solo once against Sam Harris and once with the group the Tennessee River Boys.

[ljbab728]

A more recent Sam Harris (without the mullet). He has lost nothing and is still an exciting live performer.