Radio Disney Names N.B.T. Finalists; Showcase This Weekend at Walt Disney World

The popular musical talent competition for young artists, Radio Disney’s “N.B.T.” (Next BIG Thing), hits a higher octave in its fifth season beginning in the fall. This season’s winner will perform on the hit Disney Channel series “Austin & Ally,” have a single released by Disney Music Group and be the opening act for popular Radio Disney recording artists at the “N.B.T.” finale concert this year in Los Angeles. Radio Disney and Disney Channel audiences will determine the winner when they are invited to look, listen and vote for their favorite artist.

Radio Disney will introduce its season five “N.B.T.” artists at the first-ever three-night showcase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort from Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24 at 8:00 pm ET. The showcase, hosted by Radio Disney on-air personality and “N.B.T.” host Jake Whetter, will feature all of the season five artists, giving fans a taste of their varied musical styles. Season four “N.B.T.” winner Shealeigh and runner-up Zack Montana will also take the stage for headline performances.

“This season’s showcase event at Walt Disney World Resort and the integration with Disney Channel’s ‘Austin & Ally’ exemplify our efforts to continuously expand ‘N.B.T.,’ providing our audience with an enhanced experience each season and delivering increased exposure for our young artists,” said Phil Guerini, Vice President and General Manager, Radio Disney.

Kicking off July 1 at Chicago’s Taste of Joliet, “N.B.T. On Tour” powered by Invisalign Teen is a multi-market concert tour featuring season five “N.B.T.” artists, “N.B.T.” alumni and popular Radio Disney artists. “Austin & Ally” stars Ross Lynch and Laura Marano are expected to make guest appearances throughout the tour, which will stop in more than 15 cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Sacramento and Seattle. Invisalign Teen will also sponsor the multiplatform competition on Radio Disney and Disney Channel.

“We are thrilled to come back for a second year as title sponsor of Radio Disney’s ‘NBT On Tour,’ and look forward to engaging with fans and their parents about Invisalign Teen,” said Thomas M. Prescott, president and CEO of Align Technology (Invisalign). “One of the keys to a successful performance is exuding confidence, and Invisalign Teen is a modern choice for straightening teeth that can help kids feel more confident as they pursue their dreams — no matter what their passion may be.”

“Holding auditions in various cities this year helped us select a talented lineup of artists that represent a mix of musical styles from rockabilly to R&B and acoustic pop,” said Kelly Edwards, Executive Director, Music and Programming, Radio Disney. She added, “In addition to hearing new music from five great artists, fans will also fall in love with their charismatic and dynamic personalities.”

This year’s artists, ages 12-17, are:

• Chloe and Halle Bailey 13-year-old and 12-year-old (respectively) sister R&B singers and actresses from Atlanta, Georgia
• Damian Otchere 16-year-old pop and R&B singer, dancer and actor originally from Brooklyn, New York, currently residing in East Orange, New Jersey
• Elle Winter 13-year-old pop singer, songwriter and actress from New York, New York
• Jack Skuller 16-year-old rockabilly singer and songwriter from Hoboken, New Jersey
• Katherine Hughes 17-year-old acoustic pop singer and actress from New York, New York

“N.B.T.,” a daily multiplatform competition that launched the careers of Hollywood Records recording artist and Disney Channel star Coco Jones (“Let It Shine”), as well as Kicking Daisies, Shealeigh and Allstar Weekend, puts the spotlight on aspiring young recording artists and provides them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms. Over the course of 10 weeks, Radio Disney and Disney Channel audiences will be invited to look, listen and vote for their favorite artist via multiple entry points including RadioDisney.com and by texting “NBT” to DISNEY (347639) (standard messaging rates may apply).