Lance Smith to host "Can You Duet"

CMT personality Lance Smith began hosting the second season of CMT’s hit series, CAN YOU DUET, on Saturday at the show’s casting call in Nashville. Nearly 5,000 aspiring singers – singles and duos – from around the country showed up for their chance to be part of the weekly music competition series from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America that will seek to find country music’s next great duo.

Host of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN, Smith joined CMT as the network’s first VJ in 2001. As one of the on-air representatives of the network, Smith has been present at all important industry functions during his tenure including the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, as well as all of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS broadcasts. In addition to his regular series hosting duties, Smith has brought his own unique style to hosting specials such as CMT AT SUMMERFEST and SPRING BREAK specials with Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney.

Unlike other talent competition shows, each contestant on CAN YOU DUET will compete as part of a duo, sometimes working with different partners as the competition progresses. As a result, viewers will witness first-hand all the on and off-stage drama to be had in creating a dynamic musical duo. In addition to critiquing each performance and deciding who will advance to the next round, be sent home, and ultimately be crowned country music’s next great duo, Judd – along with two more, yet to be announced judges filling the panel -- will also serve as a mentor to guide, groom and develop the duos along the way.

“Can You Duet” is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Jeff Boggs (Nashville Star, Spy TV) is executive producer. Bob Kusbit, John Hamlin and Melanie Moreau serve as executive producers for CMT.