2012 Silver Stars Finals
Celebrity Judges
John Carter Cash having been involved in music all his life, spends much of his time working as a record producer. However, his activities in the creative world reach far beyond just production. He is also a singer-songwriter, and author. The grandchild of Maybelle Carter and the only son to John R Cash and June Carter Cash, he preserves the family legacy and is caretaker to the heritage of his musical ancestors.
He began his walk as a music producer with his mother June Carter Cash on her CD, Press On, which won a Grammy in 1999, then went on to work under Rick Rubin as Associate Producer on his father Johnny Cash’s Grammy winning records “American III: Solitary Man” and “American IV: The Man Comes Around”, the latter receiving three CMA awards.
He also produced his mother’s record “Wildwood Flower”, which won a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk album in 2003. His 2004 production “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family” received three Grammy nominations. John Carter is co-Producer on Marty Stuart’s CD, Badlands. The CD "The Voice of the Spirit, the Gospel of the South" released in April of 2006, received critical regard and acclaim. His production on Billy Joe Shaver’s “Everybody’s Brother”, helped earn a Grammy nomination in 2007.
John Cater has produced material for Loretta Lynn, Josh Turner, Brooks & Dunn, Elvis Costello, Wylie and the Wild West, Dr. Ralph Stanley, George Jones, Mavis Staples, Lynda Carter, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Sheryl Crow, John Randal and Jessi Alexander, Norman and Nancy Blake, Tim O' Brien, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Earl and Randy Scruggs, Rosanne Cash, John Cowan, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Tony Rice, and John Prine. In total, he has been a producer on five Grammy Award winning records.
John Carter is a founding member of the musical group Carter Family III, along with cousin Dale Jett and wife Laura Cash. Their first CD is fittingly called “Past and Present”.
John Carter’s first CD of his own music titled “Bitter Harvest” was released only to the international market in 2003. His latest CD, entitled “The Family Secret”, is available everywhere and received a three starred review in Rolling Stone.
He is the author of three children’s books, “Momma Loves Her Little Son”, “Daddy Loves His Little Girl”, and, “The Cat in the Rhinestone Suit.” He authored a biography on his mother, “Anchored in Love” and one on his personal relationship with his father, “House of Cash: The Legacies of My Father Johnny Cash”. His first novel, a fantasy called “Lupus Rex”, will be released in summer 2013.
John Carter Cash owns and operates Cash Productions, LLC and the Cash Cabin Studio near Nashville, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He often performs and works in the studio with his wife Laura Cash, who is an accomplished fiddle player and vocalist, and is the father to three children, Anna Maybelle Cash, Joseph John Cash, and youngest, Jack Ezra Cash.
Felix Cavaliere is a singer and songwriter best known for his group "The Young Rascals." Born in Pelham, New York, Felix's lifelong passion for music was nurtured by his mother. With Ray Charles as a prominent musical influence, Felix formed his firts band while in his teens. After studying medicine for two years, he left college to pursue a music career and got his professional start as a backup musician for Sandy Scott and alter Joey Dee and the Starlighters.
Early in 1965, Felix formed "The Young Rascals" along with Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish. On October 28, 1965, the Rascals performed at the Phone Booth, a club in the discotheque district of Manhattan's East Side. Their high-energy set attracted the attention of Sid Bernstein, who signed the group with Atlantic Records.
From 1965 through 1969, the Rascals grew in popularity, scoring such hits as "Good Lovin'," and a "A Beautiful Morning." Their biggest hit, "People Got to Be Free," was co-written by Felix and Eddie in Response to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. The group disbanded in 1972 after the release of their final album and Felix went on to a solo career. His self-titled first album in 1974 was a collaboration with Todd Rundgren. He released several more albums, working alongside former bandmates as well as his daughters Christina, Laura and Aria.
In 1997, Felix and his former Rascals band members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In April 2010, he reunited with the other original Rascal band members for a benefit in New York City. Today, Felix lives in Nashville and enjoys traveling the country and performing. Felix was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Vencent 'Vinny' VanZant was raised in the middle-Tennessee town of Linden. His late father was once a professional guitarist and passed his passion for music on to his son. Difficulties at home led Vinny to move out on his own as a teenager, renting a room from a friend while he attended school, worked and played football. Despite the challenges he faced, Vinny found success as a fast-food restaurant manager. He learned to play guitar from his younger brother in January 2002, and was writing his first songs by March. While working at the restaurant 10 to 12 hours a day, he started commuting an hour-and-a-half each way to Nashville every night. In 2006, with the financial help of somone who believed in him, he finally decided to move there. He rented space next door to Marc "Butter" Fortney, which led to their friendship and musical collaboration.
In 2011, Vinny entered the television competition "The Biggest Loser" following a hospitalization and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and cellulitis. While on the show, he lost 184 pounds and was named runner-up. The show aired Vinny's marriage proposal to his girlfirend Lori Diaz, which took place at the Grand Ole Opry House. Since being on The Biggest Loser, Vinny has been traveling around the country as a motivational speaker, focusing on sharing his experiences in churches with people who have faced similar battles.