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FRANKLIN, TN (September 23, 2011) – Nashville native Robert Counts was named the newest winner of Puckett’s Rising Star competition Tuesday night at Puckett’s in downtown Franklin. The 12th season of the open‐mic songwriting contest sold out consecutively during the entire nine‐week competition. Counts’ songs “Northern Lights” as well as “Ashes and Aftershave”, “50 Years of Life”, and “Fairy Tale” won over attendees, as well as guest judges Darwin Moody, President of Embassy Music and Julie Branham, Director of the Nashville Soul Choir. Over 100 competitors took part in the contest.

“I always thought my songs "50 Years of Life" and "Fairytale" would win it for me, but nearly everyone at the end of the contest said "Northern Lights" was the reason I won. I wrote it just 2 days before the competition!” he explained. “I wrote the song for my girlfriend which touches on the differences between a northern girl and southern guy and how their relationship is sometimes affected. She is from New York City and I’m from good ol' Franklin.”

In addition to Counts, three other local writers took the stage to compete for the Rising Star title including Jason Graham, Paul Aldrich, and John King. Rising Star Co‐ Founder and Puckett’s owner Andy Marshall, says he is proud to host the Rising Star events. “It is amazing to see how much talent is in this town. Puckett's is happy to have a part in showcasing it."

In addition to a cash prize of $500, Counts won a one‐year membership to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He will also be playing a winner’s showcase on October 27th at Puckett’s in Franklin with two famous local songwriters- Jeremy Spillman (writer of hit singles "Arlington," recorded by Trace Adkins, "Another Try,"recorded by Josh Turner with Trisha Yearwood and "Hell on the Heart," recorded by Eric Church) and Trent Willmon (writer of Steel Magnolia’s Billboard Top 5 “Keep On Lovin’ You," and Montgomery Gentry’s Billboard #1 “Back When I Knew It All” along with his own hit single "On Again Tonight").

Rising Star 13 kicks off Tuesday, September 27th and is sponsored by Puckett's, Heineken, Shuff's Music and Nason Music Group. For more information on Rising Star, visit www.puckettsgrocery.com/risingstar.

For more information, visit www.puckettsgrocery.com

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Founded by the Puckett family in the 1950s, Puckett's has served as a country store to several communities in Williamson County. Andy Marshall bought the Leiper's Fork Puckett's Grocery in 1998. In 2002, Puckett's branched out to start a formal dinner and music program. With all of the talented writers in and around town, the Friday night writers' show grew fast with people coming from all over to hear some of the finest that the industry has to offer in a cool, eclectic environment. Shortly after that, another opportunity opened up to expand Puckett's to Marshall's hometown and first love for community, in Historic Downtown Franklin.

Rob Robinson and his family now own the Leiper's Fork location, while the Marshall family expanded to the Downtown Nashville community in November 2010.