The ten finalists have been announced for CMT's Next Superstar. The new season is set to premiere on Friday, April 8 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. Here is the official word from the CMT camp:Hosted by Thea Andrews ("Top Chef Canada," ESPN, "Entertainment Tonight"), in each episode of the ten episode series, CMT will search to find America's next great country star and will open the door for undiscovered singer/songwriters who think they have what it takes to make it in the country music industry.
The show will allow the world to see every triumph and every set-back unfold weekly as each contestant will compete while living together in a house in Nashville, providing a rare and revealing inside look at the all ensuing drama that can take place when musical adversaries live and compete together.
Contestant auditions were held in Los Angeles, Nashville, Dallas and Austin, as well as through private showcases around the country, and an online competition through www.ourstage.com. Show talent scouts also sought contestants through industry agents, management, labels, talent schools, honky-tonks – anywhere they could find strong country singer/songwriters.
The Top 10 Finalists:
• Bri Bagwell, 23, Las Cruces, N.M.
• Adrienne Beasley, 22, Wickliffe, Ky.
• Courtney Cole, 24, Mandeville, La.
• Danielle Lauderdale, 23, Orange Park, Fla.
• Andrea Person, 29, Kelowna, British Columbia
• Steven Clawson, 29, Thomasville, Ga.
• Matt Dame, 37, Batesville, Ark.
• Matt Mason, 25, Fairland, Ind.
• Ben Smith, 29, Gainesville, Texas
• Wynn Varble, 50, Hampshire, Tenn.
*Full contestant bios available at cmtpress.com
