Nigel Lythgoe going a little bit country with new CMT series
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Should Carrie Underwood be shaking in her cowboy boots?
Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of ‘American Idol’ and co-creator of ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ is teaming up with Simon! No, not that one. His son Simon!
The father-son duo are gearing up to launch a new music competition series on CMT in search of the next country star.
In ‘CMT’s Next Superstar,’ from Legacy Productions and Big Red 2 (owned by Nigel and Simon, respectively), contestants will compete while living together in Nashville.
There will be the requisite celebrity guests each week, performance rounds and music business-related ‘challenges.’ And it’s all about country -- that means giving pop or Motown hits a country feel.
‘This isn’t just a singing competition, the contestants will also be judged on their songwriting, radio interviews and music videos,’ Nigel Lythgoe said in a statement. ‘We’re looking for more than just a singer, we want the complete creative, talented package -- performer, personality and writer. We want the next Country superstar.”
Each week a finalist is to be eliminated, with viewers having the opportunity to take part in a final vote to determine the winner.
The 10-episode series will begin in April.
-- Yvonne Villarreal
twitter.com/villarrealy
