TRACE ADKINS TO APPEAR IN THIS FRIDAY’S EPISODE OF “CMT’S NEXT SUPERSTAR”

CMT’s Next Superstar; episode 102 premieres Friday, April 15 at 9:00pm, ET/PT

Trace Adkins is the big man with the distinctive baritone whose latest single, “Just Fishin’” is a tender observation about how quickly children grow and the importance of quality time before it’s too late. The Country star will make an appearance on CMT’s Next Superstar this Friday, April 15, 2011 where he offers sage advice and shares his wisdom with the contestants…

IN EPISODE TWO: The contestants receive their second challenge.  The nine remaining contestants are grouped into trios and challenged to perform outside on Nashville's famed Lower Broadway for the citizens of downtown Nashville, playing for nothing but tips.  The trio that receives the fewest amount of tips is forced to 'sing to survive' later that night at a honky-tonk.  One more contestant is eliminated.

About CMT’s Next Superstar: In each hour episode of the ten episode series, CMT will search to find America's next great country star and will open the door for undiscovered singer/songwriters who think they have what it takes to make it in the rough and tumble world of the music industry. The show will allow the world to see every triumph and every set-back unfold weekly as each contestant will compete while living together in Nashville providing a rare and revealing inside look at the all ensuing drama that can take place when musical adversaries live and compete together.

Contestants will try to impress celebrity guests each week through a series of music business related ‘challenges’ and grueling performance rounds. Each week, one finalist will be eliminated and America will have the final vote to determine who will win the title of CMT’S NEXT SUPERSTAR.

CMT’S NEXT SUPERSTAR is executive produced by Legacy Productions’ Co-President Simon Lythgoe and Nigel Lythgoe, co-founder and president of Big Red 2 Entertainment, a newly formed company with 19 Entertainment. Former CMT exec Bob Kusbit, also executive produces in his first outside project for the network. Brad Johnson and Melanie Moreau serve as executive producers for CMT.