Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
Mike Kuster
Must be in the top 20 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on October 26, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About Mike Kuster
Mike Kuster is an independent country singer-songwriter known for authentic storytelling, relatable lyrics, and a traditional country sound that resonates with audiences across the United States and abroad.
Performances & Content from Mike Kuster
She's My Reason For Going Home
So I Won't
Friend Zone
Friends With Benefits
Learn More About Mike Kuster
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I’m the Next Music Star because I’m not waiting for someone to give me a shot—I’ve spent years building my own path in country music. I’m a Maryland-born, Nashville-recording, award-winning independent artist who writes every song I record and has built a career from the ground up, from local stages to shows across the country. I’ve released four albums, earned multiple #1 independent country songs, and was named the 2025 Independent Music Network Entertainer of the Year. But the numbers aren’t what drive me. I write about real life, real people, and real experiences, and I’ve built a loyal audience by making music that connects. Whether I’m performing solo with a guitar or with my band, The Catoctin Cowboys, I bring energy, personality, and a genuine love for country music. I’m still hungry. I still have stories to tell. And I’m ready for the next stage.
What do you love about music and performing?
What I love most about music is the connection. A song can take something you’ve experienced, felt, or lived through and turn it into something another person recognizes as their own. That moment when someone hears one of my songs and says, “That’s my story,” is what keeps me writing. That's what's always drawn me to the music I love; I feel it and it takes me to a place the artist, songwriter, and I share. I also love what happens when I step on stage. Every show is different. Sometimes it’s a packed room singing along, sometimes it’s a small crowd discovering my music for the first time, and sometimes it’s just me, a guitar, and a few people listening. I love all of it. Performing gives me the chance to make people laugh, dance, remember, and maybe even forget their problems for a couple of hours. I grew up loving classic country music, and now I get to carry that tradition forward while telling my own stories. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My biggest music inspirations are the icons of country music—Willie, Waylon, Merle, Dolly, Johnny, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Toby Keith. The list goes on. They’ve all influenced my life, my songwriting, and my style. But my first real inspiration was a local singer named Benny Dean, a friend of my dad’s. I loved watching him perform with his band, and seeing him on stage made music feel possible. Randy Travis was the artist who really inspired me to sing and play country music. I’m pretty sure I wore the grooves off those first Randy Travis records singing along as a kid. My dream collaborators come from that same list. Sadly, some are no longer with us, but I’ve written songs with many of them in mind. Willie Nelson would be a dream come true. Ricky Skaggs would leave me speechless. Clint Black would teach me something about songwriting. And I’d give just about anything to sing one with Randy Travis.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
If I won the $10,000 Grand Prize, I’d put it directly back into my music career. I’m currently working on my next album, so I’d use the money to record several more songs in the studio, bringing in the musicians and production needed to make the album the best it can be. I’d also have physical copies produced—CDs, vinyl, and other merchandise—so I can put my music directly into the hands of the people who support me. The rest would go toward professional promotion, radio, digital marketing, music videos, and getting the album in front of new audiences. I’ve built my career independently, one song, one show, and one fan at a time. $10,000 wouldn’t just be prize money to me—it would be fuel. It would help me create more music, reach more people, play more shows, and take the next step in a career I’ve spent years building from the ground up.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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