Matt Mason Wins First Season of CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR

America's Pick to be CMT's Next Superstar was Revealed During Hour-long Spectacular Featuring GLEE star Kristin Chenoweth

Last night, after a nationwide vote, Matt Mason from Fairland, Indiana was crowned the winner of CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR and America's next great country star. Matt will receive a record deal with Warner Music Nashville's Elektra imprint and will be the opening act for CMT on Tour this fall, headlined by country star, Luke Bryan and sponsored by the network. The winner's finale performance will also run as a music video on CMT and CMT.com.

The hour-long grand finale featured a special performance by Kristin Chenoweth ("Glee" and "Good Christian Belles") and at the end of the celebration, host Thea Andrews revealed America's vote and CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR, Matt Mason.

"It's all very surreal. I've wanted this for so long. I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making the most of it. Huge thanks to everyone who voted for me," said Matt.

President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito, said, "I am thrilled to have Matt join the Warner Music Nashville family."

Another crop of singing and songwriting talent will have the chance to compete when CMT's NEXT SUPERSTAR returns in late 2011/early 2012.

Produced by father-son team, Nigel & Simon Lythgoe, CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR searches to find America's next great country star by not only testing their performance, but putting them in new situations every episode so the contestants can learn what it really takes to become a country star. By facing a range of tests, such as songwriting, making music videos or other music business related 'challenges,' the contestants on CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR provide a rare and revealing inside look at the drama that can take place when musical adversaries live and compete together. Each week, one finalist is eliminated and America has the final vote to determine who will win the title of CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR.

CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR is executive produced by Legacy Productions' Co-President Simon Lythgoe and Nigel Lythgoe, co-founder and CEO of Big Red 2 Entertainment, a company formed with 19 Entertainment. Bob Kusbit also executive produces. Brad Johnson and Melanie Moreau serve as executive producers for CMT.