By Jennifer Uselton

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Nationals is the largest one day cheer competition in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. With over 300 teams competing at the event, the showcase of talent and excitement will be nonstop. The DCC event, run by Spirit Celebration, is one of the most exciting competitions, and the talent doesn’t stop with just the cheerleaders. Spirit Celebration is known for it’s exciting awards ceremonies and talented performers who often take center stage to perform for the cheerleaders and fans. On January 30, cheerleaders will be entertained by the Hunter Hutchinson Band, Blaine Mitchell from The Voice, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders themselves! Each of these performers are local Texas favorites and have large followings not only in the DFW area, but also nationwide. 

Hunter Hutchinson is a Texas native who was born in Abilene and is currently pursuing a degree in Business, as a senior, at Texas Tech University. Hunter lost his father to cancer at the young age of 14. Hunter was devastated to lose his biggest inspiration. About 6 months later, a cancer benefit golf tournament was organized at The Abilene Country Club in honor of Hunter’s dad. Aaron Watson, a well known country musician, sponsored one of the holes and spent the day with Aaron and the two quickly became close. Aaron brought Hunter to the concert later that night and put him in a chair in the middle of the stage during the performance. That day changed his life forever.

Hunter began learning how to play guitar when he was 17. After enduring a baseball injury, he was bored with recovery and noticed his dad's favorite guitar  and decided to pick it up. He watched YouTube for countless hours learning how to play basic chords and strum. Soon he began writing songs and recording them. The first song Hunter wrote was for his dad, Chuck Hutchinson. This song is probably the most powerful and meaningful song Hunter has ever written and is played at every single show. In March of 2015, Hunter released his first full-length album entitled “What Do You Say?” which was produced with Aaron Watson by Big Note Studio in Abilene, Texas. The cheerleaders at AT&T Stadium will be treated to an appearance by Hunter and are sure to be moved and delighted by his songs. 

Photo: The Voice/NBC

Cheerleaders can also expect to hear music from the hometown star of Fort Worth, and star of The Voice on Season 9, Blaine Mitchell. Blaine, who was on team Adam, is a local favorite who won the hearts of the DFW area. He's been entirely focused on music after a knee injury took him out of sports for awhile. He has an alternative rock band with his brother called Treeside. They have spent the past six years performing in Texas. You may remember seeing Blaine at the Spirit Celebration Christmas Classic where he performed for thousands of cheerleaders and fans. Or you may remember him from The Voice in the Blind Auditions where he sang Drops of Jupiter by Train. Blaine has thousands of fans and although his piercing blue eyes, big dimples and smooth voice are sure to make the cheerleaders swoon, he is a happy newlywed who recently married his best friend Haylee. Blaine shared with us how he's feeling about performing at the stadium in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.

I'm super excited to be playing the Stadium next week!!! I am so excited to perform at AT&T stadium, and I'm equally excited to continue on, in my career, after coming off of the voice. I want to make beautiful musical moments for an audience that will last in their memories.

Photo: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

And if these two music stars aren’t enough, cheerleaders at this Spirit Celebration event will also be treated to a performance from the famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They are arguably the most famous cheerleaders in the world. Earning a spot on that team is a coveted position that thousands of cheerleaders and dancers can only dream to achieve. It's such a popular squad that their tryout process has been televised for 10 years on CMT. Fans tune in every year to watch the judges select America’s Sweethearts for the new season. These dynamic dancers will impress even the most talented competitive cheer teams with their synchronized, powerful performances. Every year, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders get the fans and the competing cheerleaders energized and on their feet yelling and clapping with excitement. Many are well known by name as they each have a heavy social media following. DCC fans are excited to see their favorite performers in person at the AT&T Stadium. Whether you come to see Jacie Scott who was nominated for Dallas’ 10 Most Beautiful Women, Angela with her long luscious brown locks, Chantel with her dazzling smile, Loren the gorgeous ginger, or Robin with her cute curls, all of these amazing athletes are sure to win a place in your heart.