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[06/10/11 - 10:02 PM]
America's Pick to Be "CMT's Next Superstar" Revealed
The cable channel details the winner of the inaugural installment.
[via press release from CMT]

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

NASHVILLE - June 10, 2011 - Tonight, 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.

About Legacy Productions

In 2010, Emmy-nominated producer, Simon Lythgoe partnered with his television mogul father, Nigel Lythgoe and his newly formed company, Big Red 2 to launch Legacy Productions, a production company that specializes in reality competition shows and scripted comedy. Through the Los Angeles-based Legacy Productions banner, the father-son production team has already cemented partnerships with a number of producers and executives in Hollywood, with a slate of 10 shows in development. Among Legacy's charter group of partners are veteran producers from "America's Got Talent," "American Idol" and dick clark productions.

About Simon Lythgoe

Simon came to the United States from the U.K. in 2001 to produce "American Idol" after successfully completing work on "Popstars," an Australian talent competition and ancestor of juggernaut, "American Idol." Prior to arriving in the U.S, Simon had already amassed an impressive list of television credits, including work on the Sydney Olympics and the Seven Network's long-running drama, "Home and Away," and "Late Night with David Letterman." Since his arrival in the U.S., Simon has produced six seasons of "American Idol," two seasons of "So You Think You Can Dance," and Mark Burnett's, "On the Lot," a series developed for Fox. In 2007, Simon was recruited by "American Idol" producer, Fremantle to co-executive produce CMT's "Can You Duet," and "Celebrity Family Feud." Simon consulted on "America's Got Talent," and "Let's Make a Deal." Simon has received 3 Emmy nominations for his work on "American Idol" and 1 Producers Guild of America nomination and in 2005 received a People's Choice Award for "American Idol."

About CMT

CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 91 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.





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· CMT'S NEXT SUPERSTAR (CMT)




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