Bobby Brown

R&B singers’ Bobby Brown and Sisqo are among several celebrities set to compete in a new CMT series designed to give one of them a chance to break out as the next big country music star. "Gone Country," a six-episode series premiering in January, will feature John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich guiding seven celebrities through the music industry. Along with Brown and Sisqo, the participants include Carnie Wilson, formerly of Wilson Phillips; Dee Snider of Twisted Sister; "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo; Julio Iglesias Jr.; and Maureen McCormick ("The Brady Bunch").Production is under way. The celebrities are locked up in a Nashville mansion, where songwriters are preparing them for a career in country music. In each episode, the cast competes against one another in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle both on- and offstage. After two weeks, Rich will select one winner, who will record and release a song.