A Dothan resident is looking to become the next big country music star.

After entering a nationwide contest, he's one step closer to realizing his dream.

Singer-songwriter Ray Kenyon hopes to one day make it big.

To help make that dream a reality, he entered Country Music Television's online talent search "Music City Madness".

All he needs now is your vote.

“It's all I’ve ever wanted to do, writing this kind of music and playing it in front of people and searching for the dream and people want to get it's all I have ever wanted to do,” said Kenyon.

The 33-year-old is one of 64 finalists in the online talent search.

“The people at CMT say they got a record number of entries,” said Kenyon.

Aspiring musicians enter their own music video in the contest.
Kenyon’s video for his song "a better lie", was chosen as a finalist.

“A lot of people have full production videos and I thought that just me playing guitar and getting into the top 64 was good. I did it in the backyard of my little recording studio and entered and didn't know where I’d go and here it is,” said Kenyon

Fans will submit their votes over an 8 week period and eventually, one artist will remain.

“I could be terrible but if a million people vote for me then I’m still going to get through, I just hope I’m not terrible that's all. Voting for me has to continue and I will continue slaughtering people with messages text messages and online notifications,” said Kenyon.

Kenyon says he's confident because he has a strong fan base.

“I didn't even think I’d make it into the top 64 and I also didn't know I’d have people going crazy voting for me so I also didn't know that the TV channel would call me,” said Kenyon.

Kenyon believes music. Is his life's calling.

“There's always the rush the feel ya know some people do crazy stuff they jump out of airplanes, race cars, and this is my drug this is my thing this is what I do,”

Don’t forget.

“I'm a local boy, come on vote for me!” said Kenyon.

If you want to get your vote in, just visit www.cmt.com and look for the Music City Madness link.

There's no limit to the amount of times you can vote.

Round one ends in about eight days so if you want to make sure Ray gets into the top 32, log on, watch his video, and cast your vote!

The lucky winner will win a chance to audition for music industry executives as well as a trip to CMT in Nashville for a recording session.