Silver Stars™ Talent Competition to Offer Seniors Chance to Shine

Business Wire, July 15, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- HealthSpring is inviting musicians, singers and dancers age 60 and up to compete for the top prize of $5,000 in a new talent contest called Silver Stars.

"We know there are so many talented seniors in this community, and we want to give them a chance to really show what they can do," HealthSpring of Tennessee President Shawn Morris said. "Seniors represent a huge pool of talent that has been ignored by TV talent shows that all focus on a much younger demographic. We feel this is the perfect opportunity to harness all that untapped energy and talent with our own competition. Silver Stars fits perfectly with HealthSpring's mission to help seniors stay healthy and active."

Silver Stars is open to singers, musicians and dancers age 60 or older. Solos, duos and groups are welcome.

The ten finalists will record a professionally-produced compilation CD and go on to compete for the top prize of $5,000 dollars in cash at the Ryman Auditorium on Sat., Oct. 4, 2008. The finalists will perform in front of fans, family and friends and will receive a DVD of their performances. A total of $7,500 in prize money will be award to first-, second- and third-place winners. The panel of finalist celebrity judges includes News Channel 4 anchor Demetria Kalodimos, 103WKDF morning personality Rick Marino, Bluebird Cafe founder Amy Kurland and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Brenda Lee. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will open the event with a welcoming address.

Auditions will be held Sat., Aug. 23, 2008, from noon to 6 p.m. CDT at Cadillac Ranch, located at 305 Broadway in downtown Nashville. Participants should arrive by 10 a.m. for pre-registration.

The first 100 audition registrants will perform for a panel of local celebrity judges, including Sirius Satellite Radio personality and "Unofficial Mayor of Music Row" Charlie Monk, 103WKDF air personality Sweet Becca, Tennessean music journalist Nicole Keiper, hit songwriter and Jon Bon Jovi collaborator Billy Falcon and USA Today music journalist Brian Mansfield.

Seniors interested in participating in Silver Stars can register online at www.hssilverstars.com. On-site registration will also be available on the day of auditions.

For more information, visit www.hssilverstars.com or call Billy Block at 615-665-8772.

Who is HealthSpring?

HealthSpring (NYSE:HS) is based in Nashville, Tenn., and is one of the country's largest coordinated care plans whose primary focus is the Medicare Advantage market. HealthSpring currently owns and operates Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas and also offers a national stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan. For more information, visit www.healthspring.com.

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