CMT's Gone Country Coming Back

st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }  CMT’s hit series, GONE COUNTRY, returns for a third season with a one-hour premiere Saturday, January 24 at 8–9:00 p.m., EST. Respective episodes will be half-hour shows with the series finale running one-hour on Saturday, March 7.GONE COUNTRY 3 features an eclectic cast that includes funk legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, George Clinton; Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner; pop vocalist and actress, Taylor Dayne; drummer/lead vocalist of The Monkees, Micky Dolenz; world-renowned percussionist and entertainer, Sheila E.; actor Richard Grieco; as well as “American Idol” alum and television personality, Justin Guarini. With the goal of creating a hit Country Music single, each GONE COUNTRY cast member must uproot to Nashville for an intense two-week challenge, hosted by hit maker John Rich of the duo Big & Rich. During this seven episode season, each cast member will again be paired with two of Nashville's finest songwriters with whom they write a Country single. In addition to meeting with songwriters, 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.New for GONE COUNTRY 3, the cast will be afforded the opportunity to win mentor sessions with top Country artists, and the entire cast will be challenged to craft an ensemble Country single, in addition to their individual songs. At the end of the two weeks, the artist that is most prepared to impress a Country audience, as determined by Rich, will record and release their single to country radio.Previous GONE COUNTRY winners have included Julio Iglesias, Jr. (season 1) and Sebastian Bach (season 2).