NBC has revealed the top 12 acts for the new season of “Nashville Star” hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus. After years 5 years on the USA Network, Nashville Star now is on NBC.

ON USA, the show launched the careers of Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young. Tonight’s show featured a live performance by Taylor Swift, 2008 ACM Best New Female Vocalist.

In a new press release obtained by LALATE NEWS, NBC reveals the details behind the “Nashville Star’s” top-12 contestants.

“ALYSON GILBERT AGE: 28 HOMETOWN: CROOKSTOWN, MINNESOTA CURRENT HOME: JACKSON, TENNESSEE Stunningly beautiful former Miss St. Paul, Alyson has a passion for music and animals. Her husband quit his job so Alyson could pursue her dream of music. When not performing at local bars and parties, Alyson studies veterinarian science at the University of Tennessee in Martin.ASHLEE HEWITT AGE: 20 HOMETOWN: Lancaster, Minnesota CURRENT HOME: Nashville, Tennessee With her dad currently in Iraq training Iraqis, Ashlee is hoping to stay on the show for a few weeks so her dad can see her perform when he returns to the States for a short leave from overseas. One of 13 children, Ashlee grew up on a 2,500 acre horse ranch in Minnesota and is a true country girl she’s comfortable driving tractors, catching fish or riding one of her family’s 70 horses. Now, Ashlee’s left her family and her farm to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dream.