A Word From New Top 20 Countdown Host Evan Farmer
Editor's note: Evan Farmer has been named the new host of CMT's Top 20 Countdown, succeeding Lance Smith, who left in December to pursue an acting career. Farmer's credits include stints as a cast member of MTV's 2GE+HER, a spoof that chronicled a fictional boy band's rise to fame, and host of TLC's While You Were Out, a home makeover series.
Hey, everyone!
As a lifelong bluegrass and country music junkie, I want to thank you for welcoming me so graciously to CMT's Top 20 Countdown! Let me just start off by saying that hosting Top 20 is for me a dream job. For those of you already familiar with me from TLC's While You Were Out, the handful of acting gigs I've done or even (and this is reaching way back) the spoof boy-band film/series 2GE+HER, I have finally found a gig that combines the best parts of all of the above into one killer package.
For example, my favorite part of hosting While You Were Out wasn't playing with power tools all day (though that did rock, too), it was meeting new and interesting people and being able to tell their story in each episode. Already on the first two episodes hosting Top 20, I've had the privilege of interviewing country music newcomer Laura Bell Bundy and veteran Josh Turner, both of whom have remarkable stories to tell that are not only inspiring but downright amazing.
On the other hand, what drew me to acting was the chance to be creative and make people laugh. Having been a fan of CMT's Top 20, hosted by Lance Smith, for the last several years, I knew there would be plenty of room for both when I joined. I'm sure I don't have to explain that to anyone who's been watching awhile! I have to take a second to thank Lance, by the way, for leaving such a positive, funny and creative legacy -- not to mention a top-rated show for me to step into! Though I haven't met him personally, I have yet to meet anyone that has anything but ridiculously nice things to say about him. I know his talent and sense of humor will take him wherever he wants to go.
OK, back to me ... LOL.
And then there's the music. I got into this business 15-plus years ago because of music and, without a doubt, I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. With only a modicum of natural music ability (sometimes passion is enough), I've had the opportunity to record and sell over 1 million albums with 2GE+HER, make several Top 10 music videos, play to sold-out arenas both here and abroad and had a brief period doing smaller clubs as a singer-songwriter. All of that was extremely cool to experience without question, and I'll never stop writing and playing, but the reality and lifestyle of being a full-time musician simply wasn't a fit for me long term. As part of the CMT team, I'll get to do endless one-on-one artist interviews as well as go front row, backstage and behind the scenes with musicians that I not only admire tremendously but that I believe often have an important story to tell beyond their lyrics. In short, I feel like I have an opportunity be a direct conduit between the fans (the reason we're all here!), the music I love and the artists that make it. And that, for me, is a dream come true! Thanks again for welcoming me, for watching and for your support! It's gonna be fun.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Cathy H. says:
Glad to see Evan on CMT!!!
Shauna says:
Welcome. I am sure you will do very well.
diane says:
Welcome..but I miss Lance already
Netteo says:
Diane: I miss Lance too. I wasn’t impressed with this guy but maybe it is because I’m just not used to him and miss Lance. I will give him more time to win me over!
Pam says:
I think you are doing a great job. And your not too bad to look at either ,love your voice !!
Aaron says:
Just when I thought no one could be as bad as Smith, along comes Farmer boy.
Granna says:
Welcome Evan! So far you’ve done a great job!
trac says:
Aaron says:
Posted: February 4th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Just when I thought no one could be as bad as Smith, along comes Farmer boy
lol…HAVENT SEEN HIM YET, WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN IF THEY MADE A CONTEST ON WHO THE NEXT HOST WOULD BE OH WAIT THEY DONT DO ANYTHING FUN ANYMORE.
Eva says:
I am also a big fan of Lance. He is very much missed but come on guys everyone deserves a chance. Good luck so far I like what I have seen.
Carrie says:
Hi Evan! I just wanted to say congrats on the new gig and that I really enjoyed watching you on WYWO, (I miss that show). So, good luck on the countdown.
Lauren says:
You’re amazing!
Suzanne says:
DOING GREAT!!!!
Gale says:
I can’t watch anymore, the voice is so wierd. He trys to do the funny stuff like Lance did and it doesn’t work for him. Maybe he needs to be himself instead of the funny things that Lance did. But really, it’s the voice that sounds like a cartoon character that is icky to me
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pinkfreckles08 says:
so where did lance smith go???? what is the story on why he is not on here any longer. I dont mind change but I like to know about it before it happens. somehow I missed something. I must have blinked…… please share where lance went.. thanks to a Lance fan in TN
Susie says:
I’m loving Evan as the new host of CMT Top 20 Countdown. Evan is not copying Lance’s humor, he has a wonderful humor all his own. I’ve watched him on other shows and he is definately his own personality. Evan is a smart additional to a much needed change.Thx CMT!
April says:
I miss Lance!!!!! Evan was great on While you were out. Not so much on the countdown. The interviews seem forced.
leslie says:
Evan is aweful. His voice is annoying and his posture is uncomfortable to watch. Doesn’t know what to do with his hands. His interview skills are horrible. It’s supposed to be about the artist — not the host. Get a clue CMT replace him! Ratings will suffer
kath says:
I tried but I can’t take Evan, I am sure he is a nice guy but his voice!!! Atleast I can change the channel, even though I don’t want to. He does no justice for Country music, CMT please try again. Do a host face off where the fans can vote-please.
mark says:
Evan is so annoying.He thinks he’s funny but he’s not.I though the show was about country videos not him trying to do standup.Come on CMT you can do better than this.
Jess says:
CMT couldn’t have picked a better person to replace Lance. At least they didn’t replace him with a girl, because really, THAT would be annoying. Lance had been on for a long time and a change was due. Evan has a lot of experience and is naturally funny. He may not seem great right now, but give him a chance to warm up to the show and you will see. Remember, Lance had been the host for a VERY long time so he was used to it. Evan is just beginning with the CMT family.
Evan Farmer says:
I really love the top 20 countdowns, BUT I can’t handle listening to Evan Farmer because he sounds like Kermit the frog!!! find a new host please????
Tammy Veach says:
I thought that I would miss Lance (I do) but Evan is doing a great job!!!! He’s funny and keeps the show going!!! Keep it up, Evan!!! You seem to have lots of support!!!
glenn niceley says:
how come you took the climb off and not that far away off of the cmt top 20 countdown, you know people liked those videos espically me! put back on please, I don’t like to watch the top 20 countdown if those music videos arn’t on there. Those music videos were good and now you show most of the stupid msic videos over and over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rubbercow says:
needs paul brandt with the song convoy if he will he will be awesome to my eyes
reyna says:
i think u should not do so much talking just show the videos
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brenda says:
See you are doing greAT eVAN,
Mindi says:
I watched you yesterday amazing as always… I used to have your app. On my iPad but sadly it froze, and I can’t figure out how to re down load it.. I miss your comments everyday. Btw how’s Herbert doing? :)