Network: USA, NBC
Episodes: 52 (hour)
Seasons: Six

TV show dates: March 8, 2003 — August 4, 2008
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: Jewel Kilcher, John Rich, Jeffrey Steele, and Billy Ray Cyrus.

TV show description:
This talent competition pits aspiring country musicians against one another as they compete for three big prizes: a pick-up truck, a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, and a recording contract.

Each week, contestants prepare and perform a song for a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges (who also act as mentors). Judges have included writer Robert K. Oermann, director of artist development Tracy Gershon, singer/songwriter Charlie Robison, country radio DJ Billy Greenwood, vocal duo The Warren Brothers, songwriter Phil Vassar, music producer Anastasia Brown, rock musician Bret Michaels, singer Randy Owen, country star Blake Shelton, singer/songwriter Jeffrey Steele, singer John Rich and singer/songwriter Jewel.

Once the celebrity judges have had their say about the performances, the audience is invited to vote for their favorite via phone or online. Competitors who are safe from elimination perform during the following week’s show. At the end of the episode, the two singers who’d received the fewest number of votes wait to see who will get to croon their song for the crowd and who will leave the competition.

Hosts for the series have included Jewel, TV presenter Nancy O’Dell, country music stars Leann Rimes, Wynona, and Billy Ray Cyrus along with co-hosts comedian Cletus T. Judd, country rap artist Cowboy Troy, and TV presenter Katie Cook.

Image courtesy NBC.