CMT Searches For Best Unsigned Artists On "Music City Madness"

July 15, 2008 3:57 p.m. EST

Nashville, TN (CNS) - CMT.com is looking for the best unsigned country acts in the nation. For the third year in a row, the hunt for the best unsigned artist kicks off when "Music City Madness" launches on Tuesday.

According to a release by CMT, "Music City Madness" is country music's first user-generated talent search. The competition offers undiscovered singers and songwriters a chance to showcase their talent and let fans decide who takes home the prize in the online battle of the bands.

Warner Bros. Records has joined as the official record label, while Chevrolet returns for a second year as the official online and on-air sponsor.

In addition, CMT and Comcast have partnered to bring live auditions to the cities of Nashville, Knoxville, Pittsburgh and Atlanta. The local auditions will be held in August and will give contestants a chance to record and enter their video-taped submission on site.

The grand prize winner of "Music City Madness" will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville to record an episode of the CMT online series "Unplugged At Studio 330," a private audition with Warner Bros. Records A&R department and a mentoring session with country superstar Randy Travis.

Submissions for the online competition will run from July 15 through October 6.