Buddy Jewell was born on April 2, 1961 is an American country music performer who won the first Nashville Star competition.

Born in Osceola, Arkansas, Jewell was 41 when he won the Nashville Star country music singing contest in 2003, aired on the USA network. Jewell had previously released two albums, but his Nashville Star victory won him a recording contract with Sony BMG/Columbia Records, and his post-Star album, Buddy Jewell, debuted at #1 and earned him a gold record and two top-five singles.

His 2005 follow-up, Times Like These, wasn't as successful, and Jewell was released by his record label on November 9, 2005.

Jewell attended Oklahoma State University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha.