CMT Announces Top 10 Contestants Competing To Become "CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR"

New Series Premieres April 8 on CMT

The search is on for CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR as five men and five women fight for the title in CMT's latest competition series premiering Friday, April 8 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. 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 Pearson, 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

Contestants on CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR will try to impress celebrity guests each week through a series of music business related 'challenges' and grueling performance rounds. Each week, one finalist will be eliminated and America will have the final vote to determine who will be crowned CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR.
CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR is executive produced by Legacy Productions' Co-President Simon Lythgoe and Nigel Lythgoe, co-founder and president of Big Red 2 Entertainment, a newly formed company with 19 Entertainment. Bob Kusbit executive produces, and Brad Johnson and Melanie Moreau serve as executive producers for CMT.

Like the show on Facebook for cast updates, exclusive extras and more: http://facebook.com/CMTNextSuperstar