Starting this coming January on CMT:

John Rich Leads New CMT Series, Gone Country



Bobby Brown? Sisqo? Dee Snider? I can't wait to see this.

I just saw a commercial for this today while watching a rerun of the DCC - I can't wait! I was surprised to see Bobby Brown - is the only employment he can get these days based in reality television? The best part is that Bobby=Whitney="Kiss my ass!" on The Soup.

So fun!

There are a bunch of Gone Country clips up here, including one where Dee Snider proclaims that he hates country music.
One of the contestants (Diana DeGarmo) was interviewed by monstersandcritics.com.

I stumbled across a commercial for this tonight, and I'm in. I'm an unabashed Dee Snider fan, and Julio Iglesias Jr. is teh hotness. I also have a soft spot for Maureen McCormick from Celebrity Fit Club (Carnie Wilson, not so much though.) It starts this coming Friday the 25th.

Ha. The only person in this cast that has been relevant during my lifetime is Sisqó. Diana DeGarmo hasn't really accomplished anything, and I have no idea who Julio Iglesias, Jr. is.

This show premieres tonight and should be pretty interesting. Supposedly Bobby Brown and Maureen McCormick become best buds...the horror.

Just a reminder that CMT will be re-running the episode at 10pm eastern time zone again this evening. Their residence where they are filming this is spectacular. Bobby Brown uggg...

Oh My!!! I looooovvveee this show.

Dee Snider needs coffee -- someone get this man a cup of coffee stat!!

Mo (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia) is certifiable and Bobby Brown's newest, bestest buddy BWAH!!!!

John Rich really does look like a country pimp.

Go DeGarmo (predicted by me to come in second :-) She definitely has a big ole country voice and it would be nice to see her get some support.

Maureen was like a kid in a candy store - she needs to lay off the sugar!

I really liked this show! Kudos to the CMT / VH-1 folks!
Living in Nashville, I remember last Fall when they were taping this show around town. They had calls for the live show they will be showing but I wasn't able to go. Of course, I'm gonna really be hating that now!

No. 1 shock of the evening? .... Mo is a smoker! I had no idea.
She looks like she's put a little of the "Celebrity Fit Club" weight back on but still looks great.
I actually like this group of folks and am glad to see they didn't go out of their way to get some total A-HOLE as is usually the case.
I'm also a big John Rich / Big & Rich fan to begin with.

I love this show! Who is this John Rich person, and where has he been all my life? I love that there don't appear to be eliminations, so everyone can learn and grow, and we can learn more about them.

But Carnie. Would it have killed you to, when you got on the bus, to say to Julio "Hi, I'm Carnie Wilson." Then, since he seems to be a fairly well-mannered sort, he would have said "Nice to meet you, I'm Julio Iglesias Jr." You could have avoided the whole awkward business by using basic social skills. Everyone else introduced themselves, but apparently Carnie is sure everyone will recognize her right off. This is why she bugged the crap out of me on CFC.

I didn't like Diana on Idol, and I can see potential for her to be annoying, but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt for now. And I'm totally behind Dee on the coffee issue, the only difference is I'd be doing it in the morning rather than the evening.

I like this show a lot too. This should be on network tv! I laughed quite a few times, Carnie is a hoot.

I know! And bonding with Bobby initially over smokes was crazy! I like their little dance they were doing. "Sha na na na na na na na..sha na na na na!"
She's an emotional type it seems.(see:crying at the dinner table)

ITA. At least for the first ep, no one seems to be like that.

Man, I loved that house! Can I have one just like it please?! That one big ass room, indoor swimming pool, the nice rooms,etc. I've heard of John Rich, but he doesn't always dress like a pimp cowboy does he? It was just for tv right? I like the way he talked to each one of them when they were at the dinner table. (and that food looked pretty yummy too!)

I'll be watching next week too. Same time and night?

The show wasn't nearly as much of a trainwreck as I was worried it would be. The first episode didn't include as much with Diana DeGarmo as I would have liked but I can totally understand focusing on the bigger, more controversial names like Dee, Bobby and Maureen.

Oh Maureen. My goodness she is an emotional little thing isn't she? She seems like a very sweet woman but her loud hyper behavior would probably drive me crazy in person.

Interesting how Dee went from mocking American Idol to finding Diana charming (mostly because she knew who he was and was excited to see him). I do wonder how much anti-AI stuff she'll have to deal with from the rest of the cast.

This show might make me do something that I thought was damned near impossible, make me like Sisqo! If folks can remember, Sisqo blew up considerably after Thong Song and so did his ego! He was going around touting himself as the "greatest R&B artist of the time" and lost a lot of fans in the process. I think he has a good chance of winning this thing because one, I always felt that R&B and Country are very similar in a lot of ways and artist from both sides could easily transition to the other. And second, Sisqo can blow! He is in my opinion one of greatest male R&B vocalists to emerge from the 90's and I do beleive he will showcase that.

I actually wound up really liking Sisqo too! Surprising!

I really like this! I'm a huge fan of John Rich, both as an artist and producer. He's unconventional as an artist and as a producer recognizes true talent, not looks and what will look good in a video but what will sound good, and that's what music should be about.

My thoughts on the contestants:
Julio--he's hot-never knew much about him before but he's hot LOL

Sisqo--I remember the thong song but had no clue who he was to start with on the show

Diana--hope this will be the break she needs. She has a good voice and lost to Fantasia only because that was the heated year of racism comments-she was the better talent. She also seems like a very sweet girl.

Dee--Dee is who he is, he doesn't turn his personality on and off-he's always that way. Can't understand why he'd be on a show with the focus of country music if he hates it and I don't think his career needs such a boost he'd need to do reality tv

Carnie--Carnie, Carnie, Carnie. You just don't get it do you? The respect people have for your dad as an artist does not automatically entitle you to the same respect and recognition. Also, she obviously has given up on the strict regimen required by gastric bypass. There is no way if she were still doing that properly she'd have loaded that plate down and eaten that much heavy food (I'm from the south and cook like that so I know LOL). Also she's getting big again.

Bobby--he seems like this is just a hoot to him, but I can't have any respect for a man who wears that much bling and then claims broke when he has to pay child support-dead beat dads get zero respect from me so nothing he will do will change that

Finally, Maureen. Okay this is the fourth show I've seen her on of late, Celebrity fit club, Oprah, Paula's Party with Paula Deen, and now this. Her behavior is only escalating. Obviously Mo has some sort of bi-polar disorder, manic state, something going on and she needs some meds for it. Her emotions range from excessively hyper to extremely emotional too quickly. She is already beginning to grate, not because she may have a mental illness (I do as well and take meds and am able to identify) but because she is just so all over the page it makes my head hurt.

She had a baby around a year and a half or two years ago. I doubt she ate everything on her plate, with gastric bypass there's only so much you can eat before you get sick. Obviously you can gain weight after that surgery but I'd attribute it more to her pregnancy.

I'm rooting for Diana. She does seem very confident though and if that shows through to John Rich I think he'll take her down a peg or two even if she is probably "The Chosen One."

I was hoping there'd be a thread for this! I'm not a country music fan, but I worked at a country radio station for about 6 months (the format flipped to country after I'd been there for a few months), so I'm somewhat familiar with John Rich. He came off very well, and like such a nice person. Personal notes with the guitars, researching every person in that house, he was AWESOME.

Mo was known for hitting the sauce on CFC, right? I like her, but cringe when she swings from high pitched squeals to crying about everything. I also thought she and Bobby were so cute together, especially with the dance. I never pegged him as a Brady Bunch fan, and thought he was very sweet with her when she admitted to being nervous about meeting him.

Dee...I like Twisted Sister, and was surprised at how little he knew about country music, especially with how popular it's become in the past few years. JR was right, it's very rock n' roll at this point (to the point where I can point out riffs on certain songs lifted directly from classic rock songs).

I liked Sisqo, maybe he's been humbled after his grandstanding backfired on him a few years ago.

Julio seems like a nice guy, and seems very open to this project (I think they all are, really).

Carnie. Whoa. Lay off the comfort food. On CFC, she was very difficult and wouldn't listen to the panel at all when it came to diet and exercise. I think at some point, if you continue to stuff yourself, you eventually reverse the gastric bypass, because she certainly wasn't eating the small portions required of it on CFC, nor was she last night. As long as she refuses to admit she has a problem with food, she's never going to lose the weight. Also, JR was extremely nice in praising her work with Wilson Phillips. I don't remember her voice "popping" like he said, but hey, he's nicer than I am.

Diana - I know nothing about her other than AI. I don't watch the show (ducks), but she seemed nice enough. I liked that she was excited about Dee Snider, probably because Dee and Mo would be the two people I'd be the most excited about.

Bobby without the crack? I think I like him. I especially liked the "we're not gonna take it!" when Dee was having his caffeine fit. He'll be fun.

Oh! EXCELLENT move getting the Loveless Cafe to cater! YUUMMMMM!! They are reknown for their most-excellent biscuits. Infact, a few months back Bobby Flay showed up to challenge their "Biscuit Lady", Carol Fay. She's also been on shows like "Ellen", etc. A MUST visit when you come to Nashville.

He's known for his style and he always dresses to the nines. His "trademark" is bedazzled stuff like the jeans his grandmother customizes for him.
Both John Rich and Big Kenny are probably two of the nicest, most genuine people you will meet in the industry, let alone in Nashville. They really "get it" when it comes to their fans and giving back. Of course, JR is incredibly professional so he may rub some folks the wrong way but he's a really nice guy. He's also true to traditional country music and really respects the legends like Cash, Hank Snow, and other Opry legends.

I can see why Diana would be interested in this show and I'm sure JR is giving her maybe a little more of a listen. Nashville has come to be a landing ground for AI alum and there is alot of possibility for her here.

I always remember Sisqo for only one reason.... he opened for N'Sync when they played at Titans stadium years back.

Mo is also in one of the newer Brad Paisley videos for "Online". I knew she had put an album out years ago and even if she would "win", I can't really see her staying in Nashville and keeping on with the music thing.
Same for Carnie.

I don't know why that person on the street thought she wouldn't do well. Her songwriters seemed happy they had the girl with the "big voice," she can definitely sing, she's been performing most of her life, and country music has seemed more welcoming to AI alums than other genres. I think she'll do well.

Watching it again, I noticed that Carnie did not introduce herself to one single person. Either she has appalling manners and a huge ego to think that everyone would just recognize her, or the editors hate her and didn't show any of the times she did introduce herself. Because she really came off looking like a douche.

I had been wondering when this was filmed because it seriously made me wonder if Maureen has gained all the weight back. It's weird how she's so puffy in the actual show, yet much thinner facially in the private interview scenes.

I actually have her country album. It's not very good, but it's mostly due to song choice and songwriting, since she has a decent voice. I'm curious as to how many copies it sold, since I know it didn't chart.

I hated Diana during AI....despite obvious singing talent, she always came off stagy and forced (thank you Mr Simon), but she gained some credibility (and apparently good reviews) when she did "Hairspray" on Broadway.

John Rich seems nice....but that fur coat was obnoxious...and this is from someone who has no issues with wearing leather.

My roommate had watched before I had, I went to the gym Friday night and crashed when I got home, so I did not watch until Sunday. He kept saying how much I was going to hate how annoying Maureen McCormick is.....um, I thought she was totally sweet and endearing. I LOVE her.

Diana. I voted for Fantasia and I was behind her 1001% but let's just leave the past the past: I hope both girls do well as I like them both (one, obviously, more than the other but whatever). I went to the AI3 concert more than once and was right up front every time. This, hands down, had to be the sweetest, most humble bunch of kids ever on AI. They were all. so. sweet. I recall Fantasia, Jennifer, Diana and Jasmine being the ones who would remember you and wave to you and really made the concerts so special. I imagined being on the bus while watching and felt so guilty. If I were on the bus I would have to confess that I did not vote for her and campaigned against her. GUILT! I was merely watching. Silly me. I wanted to stop her from being so cocky and underestimating the competition. Stop it stop it stop it. I want to root for her to win so much!

I think it is a girl's competition to win. I cannot see any of the guys bringin' it....time will tell.

I thought I recognized the house. It's Barbara Mandrell's old house. Here's the link to the real estate office.http://www.larryfrankenbach.com/fontanel/ It appears that Big and Rich's management company bought it a few years ago and they have it up for sale.

I enjoyed the first episode, although I'm not a Country fan for the most part - something about the twangy sound, I think.

The cast is an interesting mix, and I like the songwriting aspect. Hopefully the music will tend more towards country rock. I tried to watch Nashville Star, and I couldn't watch more than one episode because of the musical style.

That being said, can anyone tell me what was the song that was played during the episode, I think it was supposed to be the theme song for the show - I assume it was a Big & Rich song, but I am not familiar with their work. Thanks!

Since I haven't watched any replays, going off memory, I'd guess Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy or Comin' To Your City (I probably have the title wrong).

It wasn't Save A Horse, since I remember that from DWTS. I would like to know what it is as well - I might have to get me a Big & Rich cd.

Thanks for the info on the house - I knew I recognized it from somewhere, but I figured it must have been one of those endless shows on Travel Channel or the like, about fabulous houses or log cabins or some such. It is fabulous.

The theme song is "Loud" by Big & Rich. It's their current single. And I can't believe I know this.

I finally got to watch this and was pleasantly surprised. The personalities are pretty engaging in their own ways. It's clear they each kind of have characters and some will have some sort of arc over the course of the show.

My take on the cast:

John-He seems caring enough about them, but my gosh, that coat. I've been turned off by some of his comments in the media recently, so I'm going to wait and see on this guy. He seems like a good host though.

Bobby-He's got some good songwriters and will probably come up with something really good. I actually felt almost bad for him when he arrived on the bus after what the others were saying about him, but the stuff wasn't anything I wouldn't have thought if I were in the same situation.

Dee-He's clearly purposely trying to create drama and make himself noticed. He'll have the turn-around and enjoy country by the end.

Diana-I've always been a fan of hers. She's clearly the best fit for country music out of the crop, but her age and inexperience in songwriting might also be a disadvantage to her. She's probably too overconfident now, but I don't see it as cockiness as much as competitiveness. It's clear she wants to win badly. I was glad she acknowledged that she's nervous about the others and I don't get the sense that she thinks it'll be easy. She'll be knocked down in the next few episodes though.

Maureen-Her hyperactiveness didn't bother me so much in this episode, but I can see it getting annoying fast. She has a good story.

Carnie-She's hilarious so I'm kind of rooting for her too.

Julio-So that quick scene of him diving was definitely very good. He seems so normal and nice. I hope he gets featured more.

Sisqo-Definitely was more likeable this episode than I thought he would be. Despite "The Thong Song", the dude has got mad stage presence. He's going to be a fun one.

Next week's episode has them cooking a meal for the MuzikMafia based on John's grandmother's recipes and then a surprise performance at a local bar. It looks like it's going to be a good one. I'm hoping they actually show a substantial part of the songwriting and performing process. I want to hear these people sing.

I was definitely surprised at the "celebrities" in this show. I like how they aren't eliminating anyone - everyone gets a shot at this.

I think Dianna will have the best single. She's the one I could see fitting into the country music scene the best.

Who's this? "I'm scared!"
Gee, Marsha, never knew you were so hyper, hyper, hyper!

John, why not make the contestants wear coats when they greeted you - this way, you wouldn't look so out of place and foolish. Though I have to admit, nice pimp strut. Confidence to a tee. Yeehaw

I guess I wasn't surprised by John's coat or thought it was "out of place" since as a fan of Big & Rich I've seen him wear it numerous times. He is very unconventional by country music standards but it is almost like a throw back to country's hey day. Porter Wagner wore the Nudie suits with the rhinestones and sparkle. The women like Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, and even Barbara Mandrel used to wear sequin gowns and were very showy. It wasn't until the George Strait, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam era that tight jeans, t-shirts, and boots became the staple. Country music artists used to be very flashy (with the exception of the late great Johnny Cash) so John's flashiness with the pimp daddy coat of all pimp daddy coats actually is quite country. I love him by the way LOL.

I enjoyed the show (except for Dee Snider and Carnie, both of whom have overinflated egos considering their very limited successes in music. Though I'll give her the edge -- there was a short period of time where her group WAS on top of the world.) I was shocked that Diana DeGarmo was only 16 when she did American Idol. Hope she does well here.

I too think Maureen was sloshed. She drank early one morning on Celebrity Fit Club when they had to dance on camera -- I can see her drinking to similarly "loosen up" here. From the shows I've seen her on, she's vivacious, but not generally as whackadoo as she appeared here.

Julio Jr.... oh, the pretty! I feel like a dirty old woman, since when I lived in Spain in the early 80s the gossip magazines endlessly covered his first day of school and stuff like that, so in my mind he's eternally a 5 year old in a sweater and tie. Except now I see he's not! Yum! His parents evidently raised him right -- good for them. I know Julio was considered something of a joke here compared to his international stardom, but those kids lived with Elvis-like fame through their childhood and that seldom works out well.

Don't know Sisqo. I grew to like Bobby on Being Bobby Brown despite his zillion flaws. He's seriously messed up, but I think there's a kind soul there.

I was surprised Rich didn't point out that Julio Jr could be the next Freddy Fender, who had a very successful country career in the 70s -- it HAS been done before. And some of Ray Charles' best stuff was on his country albums. If it was good enough for Ray, it's good enough for Bobby and Sisqo (at least they acknowledged the link in musical history).

Are there any gay country stars?

The song "Save a horse, ride a cowboy" was so lovingly embrassed by gay culture.

I think it would be just as...if not more...interesting to see them try to promote a gay country star as opposed to other ethnicities.

It is something that could help middle America grow, in my opinion.

I don't know, I think Twisted Sister is much more of a pop culture icon than Wilson Phillips. When she introduced herself to the cameras, the first thing she said was, "my dad is Brian Wilson," then she moved on to saying she was in Wilson Phillips.

If I walk up to a group of people (granted, people I know) and yell, "I wanna rock!" They all yell back, "ROCK!" I doubt most of those people would bust out singing "Hold On For One More Day" with me...unless they're big Harold and Kumar fans.

When John Rich said that country music was looking for something to bridge the gap between country and spanish-speaking music....Um, ever heard of a little something called Tejano music, John?

Tejano music

Of course there are! Oh, you mean as in "out" and everyone knows it? Well, I suppose not then.

He was undoubtedly referring to something that Music Row would grab a hold of and country radio would play.

Interestingly enough, that's one of the biggest flaws in country music is that "Music Row" decides who and what everyone will like and be comfortable with. Of course there are ignorant knuckleheads who "don't want no gay or black person sangin'!" but they are just that, ignorant knuckleheads. Therefore country music comes across as primarily caucasian men. Granted there are plenty of caucasian females but they are still considered a far, far second behind the men when it comes to awards, recognitions, etc.

One openly gay country performer was Kristin Hall, formerly the third member of Sugarland. She wasn't actually IN countrly music long enough for the masses to learn of her lifestyle but anyone who knows about the Atlanta music scene, ie. Indigo Girls, Michelle Malone, etc has known of Kristin LONG before Sugarland (whom she was actually the founding member of). Music Row doesn't like to take chances on "different".... and that's what I love about Big & Rich! They basically told Music Row what they can do with their formula and hence the formation of the Muzik Mafia!

I love that Barbara named her estate after the soft spot on an infant's head.

There have been rumors going around about Randy Travis for years now... just rumors, mind you.

I caught a rerun of the premiere last night. I like this show. I like everyone on the show, although I think Carnie Wilson and D. Synder will eventually grate on the nerves. I love Bobby and Mo (Maureen) together, they're so cute.

A male friend's boyfriend claims to have been hit on by Travis years ago. He was very attracted to him and would have gone for it, but has a policy about guys so closeted they marry their much older managers.

Hell of a singer though and puts on a good concert if you get a chance to go.

There was that guy who had a couple of hits and got busted George Michael-style in a men's room -- forget his name. I think he had a comeback hit last year or the year before, but only one.

Garth Brooks' sister is gay and in his band. He's very pro gay rights issues.

The only song I know from Twisted Sister is the "we're not going to take it" song -- and video. Heavy metal was totally out of my musical sphere when I was in HS/college, which was the peak of their career. Frankly, I mostly recognize Snider because he's kind of grotesque looking. Similarly, I think as many people would recognize Carnie from a pic of herself at her heaviest as would a picture of Snider in his makeup -- and more than would recognize him out of it. But could just be a matter of musical taste and attention.

Oh, and did I say Julio is beautiful?

That would be Ty Herndon, who was accused of propositioning a police officer, but claimed he was just "taking a leak."

Wasn't that the "Brokeback Mountain" theme?

Wow. Awesome responses. kassa knows all about the gay country scene, hmmm....what else do you know, ha ha


And vipcruizer, yeah, pretty much!!

And we have to remember that John Rich hates homosexuality,

Between that, giving the world that insufferable Cowboy Troy, and the utter disrespect for Dixie Chicks, as much as I find the first episode surprisingly decent, it's that not great that I want to watch him again week after week.

You probably won't see country music or music row openly embrace an openly gay artist because country music's fan base is seen as "conservative", "christian", and "right wing". But then again, how many openly gay rockers do you hear about or rappers? I know there are some (Melissa Etheridge, George Michael, Elton John) but it's not like the closet door is just being thrown wide open in any musical genre.

K.D. Lang was pretty open about her sexual orientation and she was a country artist who did fairly well.

Ugh, I guess I'll have to try to block that out when watching the show. He seemed so nice and accepting of everyone in the first episode, but then again, there aren't any gay people (that we know of) in the cast.

I know that Sisquo is widely rumored to be gay (or at least VERY gay-friendly). Just looking at him, my gaydar pings. As my momma would say, "that boy has got some sugar in his tank!"

This show is so bizarre I might just keep watching because of that. However, the people on the street country fans were really obnoxious with some of their comments. I was particularly irritated that some of them didn't think Julio had the right "look" for country which sort of brings to mind some of the worst things about country fans. Their refusal to accept a guy who wrote "The Thong Song" was just silly. Like "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" or "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Come Off" really that much better?

Carnie Wilson seems about obnoxious as ever just like in her Celebrity Fit Club days. I have to agree it does look like she gained some weight. And nice move on the part of the editors having her comment on the wonderful dinner. Dee Snyder is probably just there to famewhore and probably doesn't really care about making it in country so he should have some funny comments at least.

I personally found that segment incredibly cringe-worthy and typical "reality show shock garbage". For a show being pushed by a country station (CMT), that did NOTHING for country music fans, let alone Nashville. It was typical ignorant knuckleheaded remarks from folks who think the latest "flavor of the month country superstar" is the end-all be-all.
That part wasn't necessary (outside of it's shock value of dumping on the guests) and was the one moment when the show scraped the bottom. They are better than that.

That was irritating - it was like they found the most snobbish, exclusionary, and judgmental people they could. While I did wonder if Julio was a last-minute replacement for someone, since they showed a closeup of everyone else's face on the mural just inside the front door but his, it's not as random as it might seem. His father did do a duet with Willie Nelson, so they can all just shut up. "We're Not Gonna Take It" could fairly easily be turned country with a different arrangement and come out much like "Take this Job and Shove It," so they can shut up some more. Apparently B&R's latest cd covers an AC/DC song, so there is more shutting up to be had.

And yes, I Googled around for info on John Rich. Suffice it to say our brief fling is over. Alas. But I still have Julio.

Mr Rich surely watches Brokeback, alone in the dark. Those that express the most ignorant views as he surely gets these crazy analogies from somewhere deep in his guilt-ridden, latent homosexual mind. Sisqo's prolly bent him over a mechanical horse by now.