Gone Country: A Look at New CMT Reality Series

These are just a few of the folks who will spend two weeks living and learning the country music lifestyle in a Nashville Mansion as part of a new Country Music Television (CMT) series, Gone Country.

Half of the duo Big 'N Rich ("Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy"), John Rich will not only be the host and judge of the Gone Country, but he's also the prize. The winner of the show will have a song produced by Rich, and released to country radio. Rich, who once fronted Lonestar and is making noise with his MuzikMafia is also a coveted songwriter and producer in Nashville. The MuzikMafia began as weekly Nashville jam sessions with Rich and his fellow artist friends-and that led to the formation of Big 'N Rich as well as record deals for friends Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson, among others. Simply put, Rich has some pull in Nashville and has been known to somewhat revolutionize his genre so perhaps this is why CMT threw him the offer.

During the two-week period of living in close quarters, CMT's Gone Country contestants will compete in both musical and physical challenges. Previews and interviews with Rich on CMT programs reveal that one of the challenges was a southern cooking cook-off, which Rich's MuzikMafia friends are the judges. Another challenge, according to the CMT episode guide, involves a trip to fellow MuzikMafia member and recording artist, Gretchen Wilson's ranch for a Redneck Woman challenge.

In addition to the challenges, during the two weeks CMT's Gone Country cast members will team up with some of Nashville's best songwriters to pen a country song. At the end of the two weeks, Rich will choose the contestant who appears the most viable for the country audience. That single will be recorded and released to country radio-and then who knows where that could take things.

Here's a look at CMT's Gone Country ensemble:

Bobby Brown - R&B singer with a slew of hits in the 80s and 90s, but perhaps is best known for being married to Whitney Houston and several run-ins with the law. Dee Snider was quoted in a preview clip saying to Brown as he arrived, "Aren't you in jail?"

Carnie Wilson - of Wilson Phillips fame, of course. (Who doesn't know all the words to the #1 hit, "One More Day?") Since her days in the successful pop trio, she has had her own talk show, a role on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and was the author of several books.

Dee Snider - Dee Snider is best known as being the lead singer of the rock group Twisted Sister. He recently reunited with the band for tours, however his full-time job these days is host of his own radio program, House of Hair which airs daily in 175 markets. He also has worked on several screenplay and score projects for the screen and stage.

Diana DeGarmo - DeGarmo was runner up to Fantasia in the 2004 season of American Idol. After American Idol, she hit Broadway for West Side Story and a leading role in Hair Spray.

Julio Iglesias Jr. - Inheriting the musical genes from his father, Julio Jr. has stormed onto the pop scene, releasing a few albums in English and Spanish since the 90s. He also had a role in a short film.

Maureen McCormick - McCormick will forever live in our minds as Marcia Brady from the hit show, The Brady Bunch. Since then, she has landed many roles in television and movies. Also, at the urging of Dick Clark, she continued a singing career and released an album in the 90s.

Sisqó - Sisqo is an R&B singer, former member of the group Dru Hill, and best known for his smash hit (as a solo artist), "The Thong Song." That single alone propelled him into instant fame and recognition.

CMT's Gone Country airs new episodes each Friday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, as well as seemingly around-the-clock re-runs.

Source:
http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/gone-country/series.jhtml