New crop of "Country" wannabes ready to warble

Actress Sean Young, 'N Sync'er Chris Kirkpatrick and former Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson have "Gone Country" at CMT.

The cable network has ordered a second season of the reality competition series, in which a group of celebrities vie for a chance to release their own country single.

Season 2 competitors also include Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who recently competed on sister network MTV's "Celebrity Rap Superstar"; actress-singer Irene Cara of "Fame" fame; former "American Idol" finalist Mikalah Gordon; and actor Lorenzo Lamas, who recently popped up on ABC's "The Bachelor," on which his daughter Shayne is one of two remaining contestants.

Production on Season 2 is under way for an August premiere, with singer John Rich of Big & Rich returning to host and choose the winner.

The first season of "Country," which ended March 7 with Julio Iglesias Jr. named the winner, became CMT's highest-rated series ever, averaging 769,000 total viewers.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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