CMT ROPES “AMERICA’S TOP COWBOY” PREMIERING SATURDAY, MAY 19 AT 9 PM ET
05/01/07
Country Star Trent Willmon Hosts New Two-Hour Special
NASHVILLE – May 1, 2007 – CMT searches for the ultimate, great American cowboy in a new two-hour special that delivers attitude, style, sex appeal and action, as participants compete to be branded America’s Top Cowboy. Along with the title, the winner also receives a $50,000 cash prize. Country music artist Trent Willmon hosts the two-hour special, premiering Saturday, May 19 at 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET on CMT.
Participants from across the country gather at the CF Ranch in Alpine, TX to compete on AMERICA’S TOP COWBOY, and are put through a series of competitions that test their cowboy skills and flair.
AMERICA’S TOP COWBOY contestants include:
· Bradley Harter - Bronc Riding Champion from Weatherford, TX
· Chad Klein - a third generation cowboy from Stephenville, TX
· Jason Patrick - expert horse trainer from Steamboat Springs, CO.
· Jason Vohs - champion “tie down” roper from Las Vegas, NV
· Mitch Coleman - “All around Cowboy” for Oregon state from Molalla, OR
· Scott Whinfrey- internationally competitive ranch cowboy from Silt, CO.
Livestock roundups, horseback shooting contests, “bronc busting” and a cowboy triathlon event are just a few of the challenges these six cowboys must face in a quest to be named AMERICA’S TOP COWBOY. Some will be physically drained from the riding, roping and calf wrestling, while others will contend with stage fright during the local Honky Tonk talent show. Throughout each event, the guys will be evaluated on their sportsmanship, ability and overall passion for ranching.
Host Trent Willmon and an esteemed panel of judges, including expert horseman, Kenny Call; sixth generation cowman Thomas Bailey Saunders V; and world mounted shooting champion, Annie Bianco-Ellett; are along for the entire fascinating ride. According to Willmon, “The winner will be the ultimate cowboy – having mastered everything from riding fast, shooting straight, and roping a wild bull, to singing a song, dancing a mean two-step, and barbecuing. The last cowboy standing will also possess the fearless spirit of the American Cowboy and a heart as big as Texas.”
Trent Willmon is a singer and songwriter whose mainstream country appeal translated into the success of his 2004 self-titled Columbia debut album. Hailing from the Lone Star State, Willmon attributes his songwriting capabilities to his storytelling knack as a real-life cowboy. He boasts co-writing credits on seven of the 11 songs on his sophomore Columbia Records album, A Little More Livin,’’ which was released in June of 2006 and begins work on a new album this month. His music career has taken him from the dancehalls of Texas to the hallowed Opry stage and countless other venues across the country, including the National Finals Rodeo.
CMT.com’s broadband channel, CMT Loaded, will feature exclusive streaming video of the cowboys, the competition and the judges. In addition, URGE, MTV Networks' digital music service, will host playlists from each of the six contestants.
AMERICA’S TOP COWBOY is produced by Stu Schreiberg at Triage Entertainment. Paul Villadolid and Melanie Moreau are executive producers for CMT.
Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos.
CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 84 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.cmt.com.
# # #
