What Do You Think of the New Gone Country Cast?
John Rich is returning to host a third season of CMT's Gone Country, and the newest cast members were announced Thursday morning (Nov. 6). The series brings a diverse collection of celebrities to Nashville for a two-week challenge as each celebrity is paired with two Nashville songwriters to write a country single. 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. Production is already underway in Nashville, and the new season premieres in January. After checking out the list of the new cast, feel free to offer your comments and observations:
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 and actress
Micky Dolenz - Actor and musician; drummer and lead vocalist of the Monkees
Sheila E. - Entertainer, musician and philanthropist
Richard Grieco - Actor and musician
Justin Guarini - Singer, songwriter, actor and television host; American Idol runner-up
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Penny Guerrero says:
I like this new cast. I know who they all are except two, George Clinton and Justin Guarini. I was a big fan of Richard Grieco..
Shotgun says:
I’m sure that CMT will omit all the church going, and front porch sitting that is required to “go country.”
But, then again, such aspects of country life are undesirable to some people. Much prefered are the market driven, secular progressivism of “big city” life that finds a “country flare” on such reality episodes.
Going country means going outside to enjoy a sunset instead of watching a reality tv show.
lorendasue says:
I’m much more interested in this group than the GC2 cast.
kayefun says:
Country music is my favorite, but I like all music when it gets down to it. I really liked some Taylor Dayne albums/cds. I really like Sheila E. That George Clinton I’m not familiar with, but he does sound interesting. This is a show that I would like to watch. I’m hoping those two ladies CAN BRING IT:)
Carson says:
I don’t know who any of those people are??? Have i been living under a rock again.
RedMaZ says:
Did you know Alejandro Escovedo is the uncle of Sheila E.?
kjh says:
I only know who two of those people are and one of them I cant stand thier singing (Justin Guarini).
Zena says:
This group does less than nothing for me
Shotgun says:
This series represents all that is wrong in the Country Music industry today.
They thing “being country” is simply about writing songs that sound “country” enough, or perhaps writing nostalgic lyrics.
Sorry, but, Tara Conner, and Sheila E (and presumably the rest) will never be able to write songs that creatively give expression to my culture…nor should they.
RedMaZ says:
So just what is your “culture”? Are you sayng Escovedo’s music has no country influence? Although I won’t watch this show, Shelia E. seems to have the upper hand. Whether it makes a difference on this Pop Country show, remains to be seen(but not by me).
Genette says:
i think taylor dane and shelia e will bring alot to the table i grew up listening to them so its going to be a challenge going from pop to country good luck to all
Molly says:
I’m excited about this new cast. I LOVED Justin Guarini on American Idol, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him. Don’t care about Tara Conner, but since this show format is so much fun, I can’t wait to see them all interact together and perform.
Shotgun says:
My “culture” was forged along the fiery, war torn path of history. A path laden with trials that either destroyed the nature of a man, or tempered his soul into a marvelous specimen, terrible to behold.
The gentleman emerged at some distant point in my past, as well as the hero, and the tyrant. All adding to the allure of a culture that is put on display, and made a spectacle of by today’s mass media.
Such grand eloquence of my past is now characterized on a regular basis by an overweight moron, who can barely speak the English language, and finishes every phrase with “Git ‘er dun.”
My culture is a proud one.
sammie says:
I’m stoked about George Clinton! Parliment/Funkaddelics are like amazing. My parents used to blast their music. “Flashlight.” Go, George!
London says:
Sounds like an interesting group, with diverse music backgrounds (not sure about Tara Connor’s). Being a fan of Justin Guarini, I’ll be watching ‘Gone Country’ for the first time because of him.
pat says:
I”ll be watching “Gone Country” and C.M.T for the first time because of Justin Guarini too!
Justin really has the looks, charisma, personality and talent to help make this a fun and interesting show to watch, and since I’d love to hear Justin singing a beatiful country song that he creates and performs,I hope he wins!
I’m really looking forward to this show!
mk says:
I think this should be an entertaining cast with a lot of personality, and they can all sing and perform.
It should be very interesting to see how they interact with each other and how songs are created too.
Im looking forward to seeing Justin most, followed by Micky!
Carolyn says:
Wow! Here’s a group I never thought I would hear singing country music, but it’s an interesting cast of characters. I have always enjoyed Sheila E, I’m also looking forward to George Clinton and Justin Guarini. They can all sing, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see how good they are at writing a country song.
luvncountry says:
Yeah red, we already know YOU won’t be watching, so what? I listen to Pop country all the time and I WON’T be watching either, nor have I been watching priors, no big deal either way. Now that I know Justin is on there I’ll be SURE not to watch. I didn’t realize country was that desperate.
RedMaZ says:
So what? what do you mean by so what? I don’t understand. I’m not sure, but I believe I have just as much right to post here as you do. So is Pop Country the only country you like, or the only country you know of and listen to? As far as not watching this show, it has nothing to do with Justin, because I don’t know who that is, but don’t you think Sheila E has an advantage with Alejandro being her uncle?
luvncountry says:
By that, I didn’t mean you have no right to post. I meant that by all your blog comments we already know you don’t like Pop country so it’s no huge surprise that you’re not watching this. If you’ll notice, I also mentioned it was “no big deal either way” because I also don’t watch it. I don’t know who Sheila E is, think I may have heard her name ONCE, nor do I know who Alejandro is. Pop country is what I listen to although I know there is “other” country too. Hope that clarifies my earlier comment.
Siren says:
I have never watched CMT programming but plan to watch Gone Country. I like Mickey Dolenz, Taylor Dayne, Justin Guarini, Sheila E and George Clinton. I have heard of Richard Grieco and Tara Conner. It should be fun with such a diverse and talented cast.
jpet says:
I think the new cast will be very interesting. I’m particularly interested in seeing Justin Guarini again.
Cornerstone says:
I can usually find one person I like each year on this show (and last year there were two) but what’s up with having to have a former american idol contestant on every year? This season looks flat out boring to me.
GLH says:
WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO “REAL COUNTRY MUSIC”
I was very disappointed in the performances on CMT awards ( EXCEPT George Starit )Now thats country!What I mean of performances is the way country has changed over to .I guess I will always be the “OLD” counrty style gal!This new version of counrty should stay in the big cities!!
I hope to HEAR better songs that purtain to country !!
Troy says:
It’s brillant to see Taylor Dayne appearing on the show. She released a new album this year which was amazing which includes the #1 Billboard Dance hit Beautiful. I can’t wait to see her performing.
barb b says:
justin did not deserve to come in second
the best singer was tamyra gray she
should have won.. that is my opion i was
disapointed that she came in 4
iluvmerle says:
I think this cast has as much chance to go country as the other two - zero. You either are country or you ain’t. I can’t understand why John Rich is doing this because it seems to go against everything he says about country music. And, we don’t need this show, we have enough people on the radio right now that ain’t country…Jessica Simpson, Jewel, Julianne Hough… What we should be listening to are the real new country artists like Jamey Johnson and Ashton Shepherd. They don’t have to try to be country, they are. Just my opinion as a country girl who was raised 30 minutes from Butcher Holler-anybody know who’s from there?
MDT says:
I was surprised to see Micky Dolenz included in this years cast. I’ve been a Monkee fan for over forty years and really want to see what he does with this. He has a great voice for pop and Sixties style rock, but it was Michael Nesmith who always had the country chops (anyone remember “Joanne” “Silver Moon” and “Nine Times Blue”?). I’m definitely going to be rooting for him to make good, although I am not sure if he can catch the spirit of country music.
Ruby Martin says:
Like another writer mentioned above, PURE country music has undergone many changes. There aren’t too many real county singers left with a twang in their voices and the courage to sing with it.(Remember “Send me the Pillow that you Dream on”- Hank Locklin and it was from the heart)
CM just married up with rock and roll music and went the popularity route. And then you have Kid Rock coming out in country! My daughter tries to explain that one, I guess I’m too old! LOL!
All that being said, I like this group on GC. I think I will watch Gone Country more than I have in the past. I think some of these folks have a good chance. I CAN see Mickey being successful in this show and later. The ladies can bring it on and Tara may be the surprise of the show. Depends on how she handles it and grows. Give her a chance. It will be interesting to watch a bit. Peaked my interest and that is what it is about in the long run. Catching our attention. Best wishes to all.
michelle says:
I really like the cast this year. The music I heard on the first show of the third season was awesom. I am so excited to see Mickey Dolenz as part of the cast. I used to ride my tricycle in the living room as I watched the Monkeys on the TV. ( They rode there bikes too.) It was nice to see him still performing. Good Luck!
kirsty says:
I LOVE Micky Dolenz he is my favorite Monkee of the group I hope he wins I am watching the last episode today I am so excited.Love The Monkees always will Love Micky Dolenz the most always will…Spell his name right the first time next time please. Great cast this time.Good luck Micky even if you loose I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!