GONE COUNTRY, returns with award-winning singer, songwriter & producer, John Rich, as host for a third season featuring new challenges and a new cast who are vying for a chance at country music success. GONE COUNTRY, the series that takes seven celebrities from every realm of the entertainment industries and immerses them in all things country, will premiere in January 2009 on CMT. Production is currently underway in Nashville.

The cast for GONE COUNTRY 3 includes:

· George Clinton – funk musician, founding member of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic; member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
· Tara Conner – television personality; Miss USA 2006
· Taylor Dayne – pop vocalist/actress
· Micky Dolenz – actor, musician; drummer/lead vocalist of The Monkees
· Sheila E. – entertainer/musician; philanthropist
· Richard Grieco – actor/musician
· Justin Guarini – singer/songwriter, actor/television host; “American Idol” runner up

With the goal of creating a hit country music single, each GONE COUNTRY cast member must uproot to Nashville for an intense two-week challenge. Each celebrity will again be paired with two of Nashville's finest songwriters with whom they write a country single. In addition to meeting with songwriters, the cast will compete in challenges that test them musically and physically to adapt to a life in country music, both on and off the stage.

This season, cast members will be afforded the opportunity to win mentor sessions with top country artists. At the end of the two weeks, the artist that is most prepared to impress a country audience, as determined by Rich, will record and release their single to country radio. Previous GONE COUNTRY winners have included Julio Iglesias, Jr. (season 1) and Sebastian Bach (season 2).

ALAN JACKSON TO BE HONORED AS NEXT CMT "GIANT"
IN NEW 90 MINUTE SPECIAL "CMT GIANTS"


George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley,
Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert to Honor Jackson


CMT honors the extraordinary life and music of the legendary Alan Jackson in the 90 minute special, CMT GIANTS: ALAN JACKSON, which will be taped before a live audience on Thursday, October 30 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The tribute will feature live performances by superstars including George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert with other guests to be announced. CMT GIANTS: ALAN JACKSON will premiere on CMT on Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.

Over the course of his career with 16 Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum albums leading up to the debut at No.1 this past March of Good Time - Alan Jackson has become one of country music's most respected and honored artists. He has sold more than 50 million albums and has more than 100 major industry awards to his credit. Jackson is a three-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and the most-nominated artist in CMA history. A prolific songwriter, Jackson penned 23 of his 33 No. 1 singles, including his GRAMMY-winning Best Country Song, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."

A native of small-town Newnan, GA, Jackson was the first artist signed to the fledgling Arista Nashville record label in 1989, and with the release the following year of his debut album, Here in the Real World, his songs immediately connected with fans - leading to four No. 1 singles from that record alone. Since 1991, Jackson has had 21 No. 1 videos on CMT's Top 20 countdown including classics such as "Don't Rock the Jukebox," "Chattahoochee," "Pop A Top" and "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" with Jimmy Buffet. In 2002, Jackson won the CMT Music Award for Video of the Year with his hit "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." Jackson's most recent collection Good Time became the fourth album of his career to debut simultaneously at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums and all-genre Billboard 200 sales charts. The 17-song release has netted two No.1 hits in the title track and "Small Town Southern Man", with a third, "Country Boy," on its way. Good Time marks a career first for Jackson as the only time he has been the sole writer of all the songs on his album.

The CMT GIANTS franchise began in 2006 when Reba McEntire was honored for her stellar career by such stars as Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Megan Mullally, Wynonna and Dolly Parton, each of whom paid tribute to Reba by lending their voices to her biggest hits. Last year, Hank William Jr. was honored by superstars Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buddy Guy, who all performed their favorite Hank tunes, while Shooter Jennings and Hank's daughter Holly also joined the tribute.


DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS: MAKING THE TEAM 3 SEASON PREMIERE!

In the hour-long premiere of the third season of DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS: MAKING THE TEAM, more than 600 excited and anxious DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS hopefuls arrive at Texas Stadium for the preliminary auditions. After performing their freestyle dance routines for the judges, they anxiously await the reveal of who gets to move on - only 130 make it to the semi-finals. At semis, they're taught the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' style of dance, along with the legendary kick line. Amid tears of joy and disappointment, only 60 girls are called back for the finals, where they'll compete against the seasoned veterans to earn a spot in the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Training Camp.

20 GREATEST REDNECK MOMENTS II: THE RETURN OF THE NECK PREMIERE!

On his way to becoming the best-selling comedy recording artist of all time, Georgia-born Jeff Foxworthy turned the term "redneck" into a badge of honor. With that in mind, CMT has decided to once again honor the men and women who proudly wear that badge with 20 Greatest Redneck Moments II: The Return of the Neck, a sly sequel to the original celebration of landmark events in "redneckery". In this fast and funny review, a countrified collection of icons, experts, comedians and commentators weigh in on the fads, fashions, music, movies, sports, people, politics and pop culture that helped shape America's most colorful demographic. So pop a top and put a dip in your lip as CMT presents 20 Greatest Redneck Moments II: The Return of the Neck. We guarantee it'll make you see red!

OUTSIDERS INN (episode 8) SEASON FINALE!
OUTSIDER'S INN begins when McCormick discovers an inn, dubbed Pigeon Manor, which overlooks the Great Smoky Mountains and decides to lease it with the option to buy. Realizing the gravity of this undertaking, McCormick brings in Brown and Wilson to assist her in this new endeavor. In the season finale, Pigeon Manor plays host to its first wedding, but it does not go off without a hitch. When Maureen, Carnie and Bobby discover that the bride and groom represent the Dotson and Starr families who are embroiled in a longstanding feud, they decide to keep the families on separate floors to keep tempers from flaring. However, problems continue to plague the three as they prepare for the wedding.

MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING SEASON PREMIERE!

The first episode of the second season of MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING features Anna and Bo of Verbena, Ala., a couple whose non-traditional wedding includes the fact that they are brother and sister (by law, that is). Their patriotic red, white and blue wedding will feature some events that are purely American, including wild mud bog fun complete with monster trucks and stretch limousines.

MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING (episode 2) PREMIERE!

Episode two of MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING features Phil, a tractor loving nudist from Maryland found, Jeanne, who he calls his “BBW”, over the internet. Jeanne and Phil of Keymar, Md. met online in a chat room and things started to heat up; unfortunately they were both married. Their lust for each other and love of tractors was a magnetic force for these two, and they couldn’t stand to be apart. They both quickly divorced their other halves so they could be together. That was eight years ago, and this tractor pulling duo couldn’t be happier and are celebrating with an “International Harvester” themed wedding.

Episode three of MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING features Emily, a former punk rocker who turned redneck for the guy of her dreams, Eric, whose favorite pastime is collecting raccoon privates. Emily was a wild child who had dreams of becoming a mechanic until the day she saw Eric standing in front of her soaking wet in his underwear. He had fallen down a muddy cliff and the orders were that he had to strip down and be hosed off before entering the house. They now live together in Worden, Mont., on a miniature pony ranch. As a bride to be, Emily proves to be a full blown redneck, even buying camouflage lingerie at hardware store for her bridesmaids. Premieres
Saturday, October 18 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

ROCKER SEBASTIAN BACH NAMED THE SEASON TWO WINNER OF
"GONE COUNTRY"BY HOST JOHN RICH

Bach's Single, "Battle with the Bottle," Being Shipped to Country Radio Now. Check Out the Video at CMT.com

Host John Rich tapped rocker Sebastian Bach as the winner of the second season of CMT's hit series, GONE COUNTRY. Bach is set to immediately release "Battle with the Bottle" to radio, the song he penned with Nashville songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Vicky McGehee while taping the series. The song is produced by John Rich. The accompanying video, directed by Wayne Isham, is currently available on CMT.com.

Bach, who edged out tough competition from fellow GONE COUNTRY contestants Mikalah Gordon, Jermaine Jackson, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lorenzo Lamas and Sean Young, performed his song before a live audience at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon in the show's finale. In the end, Rich dubbed Bach the winner because of his ability to connect to his audience and his lyrics, something that is essential in country music.

Bach, perhaps best known as the former front-man of Skid Row, is an accomplished Broadway actor and television personality.

TOBY KEITH'S HIT SUMMER FILM
"BEER FOR MY HORSES"
TO PREMIERE ON CMT ON NOVEMBER 2

Superstar Toby Keith stars in his second feature film, BEER FOR MY HORSES, premiering Sunday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. The film, produced jointly by CMT Films and Keith's Show Dog Productions, is a follow up to Keith's successful 2006 CMT Film BROKEN BRIDGES. BEER FOR MY HORSES shares the same title of Keith's No. 1 single and video with Willie Nelson. BEER FOR MY HORSES premieres on CMT after a successful theatrical release this summer and will be released on DVD on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

BEER FOR MY HORSES also stars comedian Rodney Carrington, Claire Forlani, ("CSI: NY"), guitar legend Ted Nugent, country icon Willie Nelson, Barry Corbin, ("No Country For Old Men," "Dukes of Hazzard"), and Tom Skerritt ("Brothers and Sisters"). Written by Keith and Carrington, BEER FOR MY HORSES follows the exploits of small town deputies and best friends who defy the local sheriff to embark on an outrageous road trip to save Keith's girlfriend from drug lord kidnappers

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION Marathon CMT PREMIERE!

ABC's hit show, EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION gives deserving families a complete redesign of their home. However, there's a catch - the team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers only have seven days to get the job done.


EXREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION
(Teas Family)
In the most super sized renovation ever, the design team will not only rebuild the Teas' home, but take on the challenge of making over parts of Camp Barnabas making this the most "extreme" makeover to date! The Teas left their job, emptied their savings and retirement accounts, and went three years without a paycheck, all to start Camp Barnabas in Purdy, MO. The camp caters to the needs of critically and chronically ill children and gives them the opportunity to be "normal" for one week. New facilities have been added all over the camp, except for the A-frame house they live in. The Teas cannot justify spending money on their own home or themselves because that would mean not being able to help another child go to camp. Special guests Trisha Yearwood and Lance Bass want to give something back to the Teas, who have given their all to the camp and campers. Premieres Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m., ET/PT

EXREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (Rodriguez Family)
As a child in Puerto Rico, Master Sergeant Luis Rodriguez dreamed of joining the United States Army. In 1990 he enlisted as a medic and made his dream a reality. After being shipped out with his unit to Iraq, tragedy struck. Sgt. Rodriguez's convoy was ambushed by a roadside bomb. He lost his right leg above the knee, lost two left fingertips, and sustained serious shrapnel wounds to his left leg. After spending time in the amputee ward, undergoing 16 separate surgeries, He is now living in Clarksville, Tennessee with his wife and two daughters. Despite all that's happened, Sgt. Rodriguez refuses to retire from the Army and the job he loves. He is now working as an instructor at the combat school of medicine at the Army's Ft. Campbell base, while his wife is studying to be a social worker in order to become a counselor to the families of injured or killed soldiers. This brave couple have taken tragedy and turned it into triumph, but they can't turn their tiny home into a place that is friendly for an amputee without some help. Premieres Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m., ET/PT

EXREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION
(Nick Family)
What started out one night as a beautiful, picture perfect summer evening for Colleen Nick and her children quickly spiraled into a horrible tragedy that would haunt the family and their community forever. At a friend's son's baseball game, six-year-old Morgan was bored and asked her mom is she could join her friends in catching fireflies. That's the last memory Colleen has of her eldest daughter Morgan who suddenly vanished. A massive manhunt got underway quickly, as this parent's worst nightmare came true. Law enforcement advised Colleen to stay near the abduction site, even though the family lived 30 minutes away. She ended up living first out of a fire station and then, later, bought the only house in Alma that she could afford- going to all lengths to be near the last tangible trace of Morgan. Unfortunately, it's now ten years later and Morgan has yet to be found. Colleen hasn't let the search for her daughter destroy her; she has let it inspire her to prevent this tragedy from befalling other parents by starting a foundation to provide education designed to prevent abduction. While the Nick's spirit and hopes of finding Morgan have not been dashed, any improvements to their dilapidated house have been. Their home was recently flooded due to the explosion of their old water heater, resulting in all of the floors having to be ripped out. The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team will transform the Nicks' house into a dream home that will hopefully ease their burden and comfort them in their difficult journey.

Christmas comes early this year when CMT kicks off the holiday season with a line-up of yuletide specials including, LARRY THE CABLE GUY’S STAR STUDDED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA and THE 12 DAYS OF REDNECK CHRISTMAS, as well as music events including CMT GIANTS: ALAN JACKSON and Faith Hill, Joy To The World: A Soundstage Special Event. December also brings the premiere of the latest CMT Film, NASCAR: THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES featuring new, exclusive interviews with famed NASCAR personalities telling the story of the sport.

Highlights from CMT’s holiday schedule include:

LARRY THE CABLE GUY’S STAR STUDDED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA - Friday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., ET/PT

Larry The Cable Guy joins CMT for the second annual LARRY THE CABLE GUY’S CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA. The 90-minute special features Larry hosting a lineup of guest stars including country music superstar Toby Keith; comedian Lewis Black; Fred Willard; comedienne Victoria Jackson; and entertainer Tony Orlando, who also serves as Larry’s co-host; and performances by Rodney Atkins and Emily West. The country music duo Montgomery Gentry closes the show with a special performance of Robert Earl Keen’s holiday hit, “Merry Christmas from the Family.”

“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION” THANKS FOR GIVING WEEKLONG EVENT - Monday, November 24 – Friday, November 28

CMT presents a weeklong marathon of the hit series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” with episodes that feature special appearances by some of country music’s biggest stars including Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, Randy Travis as well as other popular favorites Jeff Foxworthy, Mr. T and many more. The week will conclude when CMT premieres “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Holiday Wishes,” a two-hour special episode, on Friday, November 28 with special guests including Laura Bush, James Denton and Wayne Newton and a performance by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Faith Hill, Joy To The World: A Soundstage Special Event, Presented by Mastercard - Sunday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

Backed by an orchestra led by esteemed conductor David Campbell, Faith Hill performs holiday favorites from her upcoming Christmas album, Joy to the World. Hill and the orchestra deliver booming orchestral arrangements on the title track “Joy to the World” and swinging, big-band versions of more lighthearted fare such as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Holly, Jolly Christmas." A choir accompanies Faith on more spiritual songs such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” and “A Baby Changes Everything.”

CMT GIANTS: ALAN JACKSON - Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

CMT honors the extraordinary life and music of the legendary Alan Jackson in the 90-minute special, CMT GIANTS: ALAN JACKSON taped at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The tribute will feature performances by superstars including George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert with other guests to be announced.

THE 12 DAYS OF REDNECK CHRISTMAS - Friday, December 12 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

After documenting redneck couples outrageous journeys down the aisle, host Tom Arnold finds families with equally as unique holiday traditions in the special, The 12 Days of Redneck Christmas. The Griswold’s have nothing on these redneck families with their over-the-top decorations and wacky holiday traditions.

CMT Top 20 Countdown: Music City Madness – Saturday, December 13 at 11:00 a.m., ET/PT

Lance Smith hosts a round-by-round recap in this special CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN featuring the original online talent search, CMT.com's MUSIC CITY MADNESS. Top 20 will reveal the top two finalists of the competition, and highlight the best, craziest and most unique submissions.

NASCAR: THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES - Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

The new film RIDE OF THEIR LIVES, produced by CMT FILMS, NASCAR Media Group and NASCAR, tells the history of NASCAR as presented in first-person accounts by the people who lived it. Featuring new, exclusive interviews with famed NASCAR personalities Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison and Darryl Waltrip, the film tells the story of how family dynamics weaved a thread through a half century of racing and and how the sport grew from its humble Southern roots into a national spectacle. The film also features never-before-seen footage spanning NASCAR’s entire history from the archives of NASCAR Media Group, as well as the final interview with Bill France Jr., son of NASCAR Founder and Former NASCAR President (1972-2000), Bill France. Other drivers spotlighted in the film include Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Tim Richmond and Wendell Scott.

CMT Online Awards 2008 - Friday, December 26 at 3:30p.m., ET/PT

Ride the digital wave as Kellie Pickler hosts the 3rd annual, CMT ONLINE AWARDS - the groundbreaking, irreverent, one-of-a-kind celebration of internet excellence. The awards for CMT.com's biggest stars, music videos and clips are fan-voted in the truest sense; the winner in each category received the highest numbers of streams, clicks and views on CMT.com. Presenters include: Jessica Simpson, Taylor Swift, Trace Adkins, Larry the Cable Guy and Hulk Hogan.

CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN OF THE YEAR - Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 a.m., ET/PT

Host Lance Smith counts down the biggest hit videos of the year featuring some of country music’s biggest stars in this special episode of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN, including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift and many more. In addition to the year’s best videos, Smith relives the best moments of 2008 with a look back at the most interesting and revealing interviews of the year.

In CMT’s new series, HULK HOGAN’S CELEBRITY CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING, ten brave celebrities (Danny Bonaduce, Todd Bridges, ButterBean, Trishelle Cannatella, Dustin Diamond, Erin Murphy, Dennis Rodman, Frank Stallone, Tiffany, and Nikki Ziering) come together to learn, train and compete in competitive wrestling while being eliminated one by one each week based on judges' selections and head-to-head matches with one another. When both teams combine into one team to tackle the most dangerous match to date, one of the celebrities is injured and rushed to the hospital. Special guest Rob Van Dam steps in to help the celebrities and a very shocking elimination rocks the team again. Premieres Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT

MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING (episode 7) PREMIERE!

Episode seven of MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING features Lynn and Graeme of Lake Wales, Fla. who met online in 2007. After one breakfast meeting, they saw each other practically every day thereafter and knew immediately that they were meant to be. While Graeme loves adrenaline sports and participating in events such as the local “Crash-a-rama,” Lynn enjoys participating in church activities and spending time with her large family of six siblings. Graeme, who is a self-employed “jack of all trades,” even founded Precious Paws Animal Rescue along with Lynn in order to help animals in need, and the two plan to be escorted down the aisle by their beloved pets. Premieres Saturday, November 15 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT

DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS: MAKING THE TEAM 3 (episode 7) PREMIERE!

This week on DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS: MAKING THE TEAM, some fantasies come true, as the remaining lucky training camp candidates model the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform during a sexy cameo photo shoot. Later, a seasoned veteran lends a rookie a hand (and a few of her signature moves) when the young newbie is asked to dance with more sex appeal. At DFW airport’s USO, the DCC say an emotional goodbye to troops shipping off to Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, the final dance rehearsal of week 7 has a surprise guest judge who puts everyone on edge. Ultimately, in Kelli’s office, the tears flow as some dreams surprisingly come to an end. Premieres Saturday, November 15 at 9:30 p.m., ET/PT

Country Music Televion Shows:
2008 CMA Awards Red Carpet Show
2008 CMT Music Awards
2007 CMT Music Awards
Beer For My Horses
Broken Bridges
Can You Duet
CMA Awards 2008
CMT Cross Country
CMT Crossroads
CMT Giants: Alan Jackson
CMT Greatest Moments
CMT Insider
CMT Insider Special Edition
CMT Online Awards
CMT Power Picks
CMT's Biggest Redneck Wedding Ever
CMT's Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith
Country Fried Home Videos
Cribs
DALE
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team 3
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Giants: Hank Williams Jr.
Gone Country 3
The Greatest
Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling
Kenny Chesney: Back Where I Come From
Kenny Chesney: Somewhere In The Sun
Kenny Chesney: Songs From an Old Blue Chair
Larry The Cable Guy's Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza
Mabe In America
Mobile Home Disaster
MuzikMafia TV
My Big Redneck Wedding 2
Online Awards Nominee Report
Outsiders Inn
Rascal Flatts: Here's to You
Stacked
Stranded with Kenny Chesney
Top 10 Countdown
Top 20 Countdown
Trick My Truck
The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search
Unplugged at Studio 330
Wide Open Country