BILLY RAY CYRUS ('HANNAH MONTANA') ANNOUNCES ON 'THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO' THAT HE IS THE NEW HOST OF NBC'S 'NASHVILLE STAR'

BURBANK - February 28, 2008 - While appearing on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last night (Wednesday, February 27) country music singer and "Hannah Montana" star Billy Ray Cyrus announced that he will be the new host of the hit music-competition series "Nashville Star" that is scheduled to premiere on NBC this summer.

"This year it is all about the dream, about the music, about persistence and never giving up faith. Putting the music first," said Cyrus from the famed couch, "You know I've been to the fair and I've seen the bear and I am really excited."

The multi-platinum singer songwriter, broke into the country music scene in 1992 with his debut album Some Gave All, which sold more than nine million copies. Since, Cyrus has released 10 albums and held multiple chart toppers, including Could've Been Me and Busy Man. Recently he earned a whole new fan base when he began starring with daughter Miley Cyrus on the popular series "Hannah Montana." In October of 2007, Walt Disney Records released his latest album, Home At Last, which features the top 5 single -- a father-daughter duet -- "Ready, Set, Don't Go," that the two performed on last night's "Tonight Show." Cyrus is currently writing material for his next studio album due out later this summer. The father daughter team were also tapped to host the 2008 CMT Awards on April 14.

Meanwhile, "Nashville Star" continues its national casting search on March 8 with stops in the Los Angeles area, Washington, D.C., Austin and Nashville. For casting information please visit www.nbc.com.

"Nashville Star" is the original grassroots talent search to find America's next great country music star with the winner receiving a major recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville. The series is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sally Ann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers.

More information on "Nashville Star" can be found at www.nbc.com or www.NashvilleStarCasting.com.

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.