May 06, 2008

By By Ken Tucker, Nashville

Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach of Skid Row fame, Grammy and Academy Award winner Irene Cara, "American Idol" finalist Mikalah Gordon, singer Jermaine Jackson, NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick, actor Lorenzo Lamas and actress Sean Young will vie for the top prize on CMT's "Gone Country 2," the follow-up to the network's highest rated series ever.

John Rich returns as host and judge of the show, which is currently filming in Nashville and which will begin airing in August.

As with the first season, the show will immerse the celebrities in all things country for a chance to break out as a country star. Each celebrity will be paired two Nashville songwriters with whom they will write a country song. In addition, 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.

At the end of the show, the artist that is most prepared to impress a country audience, as determined by Rich, will record and release their single to country radio.

Julio Iglesias Jr., Dee Snider, Maureen McCormick, Diana DeGarmo, Bobby Brown, Sisqo and Carnie Wilson competed during the first season, which was ultimately won by Iglesias.

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