Bobby Brown and Dee Snider going country for CMT

By Kimberly Nordyke

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Bobby Brown ... country superstar?

The R&B singer is one of several celebrities set to compete in a new CMT series designed to give one of them a chance to break out as the next big country music star.

"Gone Country," a six-episode series premiering in January, will feature John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich guiding seven celebrities through the music industry.

Along with Brown, the participants include Carnie Wilson, formerly of Wilson Phillips; Dee Snider of Twisted Sister; "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo; Julio Iglesias Jr.; Maureen McCormick ("The Brady Bunch"); and R&B artist Sisqo.

Production is under way. The celebrities are holed up in a Nashville mansion, where songwriters are preparing them for a career in country music. In each episode, the cast competes against one another in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle both on- and offstage. After two weeks, Rich will select one winner, who will record and release a song.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter