CMT had announced Gone Country, a new reality competition series that will follow seven established musicians as they move to Nashville for two weeks and immerse themselves in a all things Southern for the chance to record and release a country song, will premiere with a special one-hour episode on Friday, January 25 at 8PM ET/PT.
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Gone Country's previously announced cast will include American Idol third-season runner-up Diana DeGarmo; former Being Bobby Brown star Bobby Brown; former Celebrity Fit Club contestants Carnie Wilson and Maureen McCormick; pop singer Julio Iglesias Jr. -- who previously participated in ¡Mira quien baila!, the Spanish version of Dancing with the Stars; former Twisted Sister frontman and radio personality Dee Snider; and R&B singer Sisqo.
Each half-hour Gone Country episode will follow the cast as they compete against one another in challenges that test their ability to musically and physically adapt to the country-crooner lifestyle. Various challenges include performing on a Nashville stage alongside Gretchen Wilson and the MuzikMafia, a Southern-cooking crash course, and ATV off-roading.
In addition, each cast member will be paired with two Nashville songwriters, who will assist them in penning lyrics and music for a country single, which they'll then perform during Gone Country's one-hour finale on Friday, March 7.
Gone Country will conclude with one of the seven contestants recording and releasing a country song. John Rich, who makes up half of the country duo Big & Rich, will serve as Gone Country's host and he'll also determine which of the show's participants will win the grand prize.
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The series is executive produced by David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe of Renegade 83 Productions. Marc Oswald also serves as executive producer. Melanie Moreau and Bob Kusbit serve as executive producers for CMT.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio