CMT’S “MUSIC CITY MADNESS” LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE TALENT SEARCH ON LOADED AT CMT.COM
11/01/06
Viewers Choose the Winner with Single Elimination Voting in Spring 2007
Winner to Record Episode of CMT’s “Studio 330 Sessions”
NASHVILLE – November 1, 2006 – Are you the next big thing to hit country music? Beginning today, aspiring country music stars can compete for stardom as CMT launches its first user-generated talent search with MUSIC CITY MADNESS, only on CMT’s broadband site, Loaded, at CMT.com. Contestant entries will be posted on Loaded, where viewers will then narrow down the talent pool in an online, single elimination tournament over seven weeks in spring 2007.
The nationwide search for hidden talent offers unsigned artists the chance to reveal their original, unpublished music to CMT execs and fans across the country. The winning entrant will receive an all-expenses paid trip to CMT’s Nashville studio to record an episode of STUDIO 330 SESSIONS, CMT Loaded’s original online performance series.
“’Music City Madness’ is to country music what the Sweet 16 is to basketball,” said Lewis Bogach, vice president, programming and development. “The top contestants will compete in a tournament-style bracket over a period of seven weeks, with fans narrowing the field each week with a single elimination voting process. Our goal is to create an exciting, competitive atmosphere and give that one artist or act a chance to break into the music industry.”
Beginning Wednesday, November 1, entrants can submit an original video performance via online submission or mail to compete against the nation’s best undiscovered talent. All styles of country music are welcome, including bluegrass, folk, southern rock and Americana, among others. Submissions are due no later than Wednesday, January 31.
The top 64 entrants will be chosen by CMT and revealed on February 13, where they will then be placed in a tournament-style bracket over a period of seven weeks. Viewers will narrow the field week by week by voting for their favorite act. CMT will uncover the grand prize winner in April.
For complete rules and information on how to enter the MUSIC CITY MADNESS Video Contest, visit madness.CMT.com.
Martin Clayton, vice president of digital media for CMT and Lewis Bogach, vice president, programming and development for CMT, oversee the development of original music and entertainment programming for CMT LOADED.
Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.
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 83 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.cmt.com.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Murphy 615-335-8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
