Can You Duet winners announced

After watching thousands of hopefuls audition, taking finalists through performer boot camp and judging weekly performances in front of a live audience, the judges of the CMT music competition series CAN YOU DUET, revealed the winning duo with hopes of becoming country’s next great act. Announced in last night’s finale episode of CAN YOU DUET, the winning duo is Caitlin Lynn of Glen Burnie, Md. and Will Snyder, of London, Ky., who leave the competition with a recording contract from Sony BMG Nashville.

Caitlin and Will’s win was something they never would have dreamed of when they started their CAN YOU DUET journey. The performers were strangers when the judges, country superstar Naomi Judd, acclaimed vocal coach Brett Manning and award-winning songwriter Aimee Mayo, put them together as a duo. With different backgrounds and vocal styles, the two needed to find their rhythm as a new unit and through each week their powerful voices and unique style became not only favorites of the judges, but popular with the live audiences.

Caitlin Lynn, 22, a native and current resident of Glen Burnie, Md., is one half of the duo Eighty1 South and initially auditioned for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET with her duo partner. Caitlin was the only half to make it through the auditions and was disappointed to see her best friend and band partner have to go home. Caitlin is influenced by a wide variety of artists including Kathleen Edwards, Dave Matthews, Lori McKenna, Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith.

Will Snyder, a 22-year-old from London, Ky., boasts a strong, gritty voice that is perfect for southern rock. Will was exposed to the idea of auditioning for CAN YOU DUET by his cousin who is 20 years his senior. Singing since childhood in church and having played with his cousin for the past five years, Will and his cousin decided to make the trip to Nashville to try their luck. Much to Will’s dismay, and complete shock, Will’s cousin did not make the cut, but the judges fell in love with Will’s talents almost immediately. Will has a variety of musical influences including Nickelback, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Urban.

The song from their forthcoming album, “Even Now,” is available for exclusive download now on CMT.com and will be released to radio by Sony BMG later this year.