CMT TO LAUNCH THE ALL-NEW “CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN” ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
12/11/12
Cody Alan, Alecia Davis and Katie Cook Host New, Interactive Music and Entertainment Series
NASHVILLE – December 11, 2012 – If it’s happening in country music, it’s happening on the all-new CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN, set to launch Saturday, January 5 at 11:30 a.m, ET/PT on CMT. The weekly, two-and-a-half hour series is hosted by CMT favorites Cody Alan, Alecia Davis and Katie Cook, who will count down the 20 biggest music videos with the hottest news stories, in-studio LIVE performances and candid interviews from country music’s biggest superstars and up-and-coming artists.
“CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN will be our signature weekly show for all things country music,” says John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT. “Telecast in front of a live audience from the epicenter of country music, 5th and Broadway in downtown Nashville, viewers will get the latest country music news, hottest videos and best live performances from our brightest stars every week. This is appointment television for country music fans.”
Executive producer Lewis Bogach adds: “Cody and Alecia have shown incredible chemistry in their work on CMT’s #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE and Katie has long been the authority on country music news on CMT INSIDER. Putting the three together is the best of all worlds to host the CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN.”
The all-new CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN will be filmed in front of a live, interactive audience at its new Nashville home – the Music City Tower, just outside the Bridgestone Arena on the corner of 5th and Broadway, at the heart of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the honkytonks on Lower Broadway.
Fan participation will be a key component to this new show, as they will be able to interact with hosts Alan, Davis and Cook via extensive social media integration on Twitter using hashtag #CMThot20, Facebook and Instagram. Those interested in becoming part of the live, studio audience can email audience@cmt.com for details.
Cody Alan joined CMT as the host of CMT’s only nationally syndicated, nightly radio broadcast, CMT RADIO LIVE WITH CODY ALAN, when the show launched in 2009. Since that time, the show has grown to reach over 100 affiliates nightly and garnered Alan an ACM Award for national on-air personality in 2010. Alan also appears on-air as host of CMT’s #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE with Davis, and on-air and online in the daily news updates, CMT HOT HEADLINES. Originally from South Carolina, Alan is a respected veteran radio personality, producer and programmer in the broadcast industry who made it to the major leagues at age 23 when he landed a gig at KPLX/99.5. Follow @cmtcody on Twitter.
No stranger to CMT, Alecia Davis can currently be seen as co-host of CMT’s #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE with Alan. In her career, Davis has covered the entertainment industry and interviewed Hollywood's biggest stars for EXTRA, E! News, TV Guide Network, ABC Family, Reelz Channel and more. She's covered many red carpet events, including the CMT MUSIC AWARDS, CMA Awards, ACM Awards, the Golden Globes, the Grammys and the Academy Awards. A Nashville native, Davis got her start modeling internationally and her studies in broadcast journalism led to hosting and acting opportunities. Follow @aleciadavis on Twitter.
Katie Cook is a fan favorite and beloved personality at CMT, with her great enthusiasm and immense knowledge of country music. In addition to being the host of CMT INSIDER since 2004, she has hosted CMT specials and covered events for the network for over 10 years. She grew up surrounded by country music greats thanks to her father, hit songwriter Roger Cook, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Country music runs in Cook’s blood, as she is herself an accomplished singer and songwriter. Follow @TheKatieCook on Twitter.
CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN is executive produced by John Hamlin, Lewis Bogach and Ritch Sublett.
www.cmtpress.com
CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Natasha Powell 615.335.8412 natasha.powell@cmt.com
