CMT announced it has ordered Can You Duet?, a new reality competition series that will aim to find the best country music duo in America, from FreemantleMedia North America, the production company behind Fox's American Idol mega-hit.
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"We're looking for the next Johnny Cash and June Carter, the next Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the next Big & Rich or The Judds," said Eugene Young, FreemantleMedia North America's chief creative officer.
Can You Duet? will follow a similar format to other reality competition series, with a group of yet-to-be-announced judges mentoring the contestants; critiquing each performance for home viewers; deciding who is eliminated each week; and ultimately determining the show's grand prize winning duet.
However during each round of the competition, each contestant will compete as part of a duet, working with different partners each week. As a result, viewers will be able to witness all of the work that goes into collaborating when you're part of a musical duo instead of a solo artist.
CMT has ordered 11 one-hour episodes of Can You Duet? Interested applicants will be able to apply for the show via open casting calls and videotaped submissions. The series is being executive produced by Jeff Boggs for FreemantleMedia North America, with Bob Kusbit and Melanie Moreau serving in the same capacity for CMT.
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"We've always wanted to be in the music competition business, but we hadn't found the right partner or just the right concept until now," said Kusbit, CMT's head of development. "We're thrilled to team up with FremantleMedia -- the world's foremost music competition experts -- to create the kind of buzz-worthy series that not only has the potential to be a hit for CMT, but to create the next big country stars."
Can You Duet? is currently slated for a Spring 2008 premiere.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio