On The Verge

From the looks of things, Brad Paisley and Jessica Andrews are well on their way to country stardom. Paisley has already hit the top of the charts with songs like ""He Didn't Have to Be"" and is headed that way again with ""Me Neither."" Andrews is having success with tunes such as ""You Go First"" and ""Unbreakable Heart."" Both are making some serious waves. It's no surprise, then, that Paisley and Andrews will help launch CMT's new limited series of documentary specials, On the Verge, Wednesday, March 1. The show takes an insider's look at the making and development of country acts, featuring those artists who are on the verge of stardom. Viewers will get a peek behind the scenes of the music business, and each episode will also include a look at the artists on stage. Paisley, a 27-year-old West Virginia native, topped the CMT and music charts recently with his second video and single, ""He Didn't Have To Be,"" a poignant tale about a stepfather's love. Paisley wrote or co-wrote each song on

Australian heartthrob Keith Urban and bluegrass trio Nickel Creek are the latest artists featured on CMT's On the Verge. The limited documentary series provides an insider's look at the career development of young artists on the verge of star status. Urban has earned a No. 1 hit with "But for the Grace of God" and is nominated for Top New Male Vocalist for the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 9. Nickel Creek was named the International Bluegrass Association's Emerging Artist of the Year in 2000, and they boasted a Grammy nomination this year.

On the Verge, CMT's documentary series focusing on the career development of artists on the verge of star status, will feature ACM best new female artist Jamie O'Neal and Texas honky-tonker Charlie Robison. The special will also include exclusive performance and interview footage of the two. CMT's previous On the Verge specials have featured Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Brad Paisley and Jessica Andrews, all of whom have since enjoyed enormous success in their respective careers. ""On the Verge artists have earned CMT's stamp of approval. We believe in their talent and potential to become big stars,"" said CMT's Chris Parr, vice president, music and talent. ""Jamie and Charlie have both proven that they are unique and have something exciting to offer music fans."" O'Neal was born in Australia but grew up singing her way across America with her family's band. Having lived in Hawaii, Nevada, California and Tennessee, O'Neal began performing when she was only eight years old. O'Neal's debut sing

CMT's program that documents the career development of artists on the verge of star status will feature country honky-tonker Gary Allan and Capitol Records phenom Cyndi Thomson. On the Verge, will also include exclusive performance and interview footage. ""On the Verge has become a great vehicle to showcase artists and give viewers a deeper look at why we think these artists have the potential to become big stars,"" said Chris Parr, vice president, music and talent, CMT. ""CMT has supported both Gary and Cyndi from the beginning of their careers because we believe they are two of country music's next biggest stars."" Allan debuted on the Nashville scene in 1996 after honing his distinctive sound in the honky-tonks of his native California. His musical influences include Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard and Johnny Horton. Allan appeared on CMT Most Wanted Live in the show's debut week to give viewers a peek at his new album Alright Guy, and performed the title track, the show's first live acou

Rising country stars Pat Green and Carolyn Dawn Johnson taped performances for an upcoming episode of CMT's On the Verge at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater Tuesday night (Jan. 29). The series documents the career development of up-and-coming artists through concert and interview footage. Green and Johnson, both 30, taped three songs apiece, repeating songs once or twice to give editors more options. Both artists will be showcased in the same hour-long episode, airing March 23 on CMT.

CMT turns up the heat with two of country music's hottest and most exciting artists out on the touring circuit today -- Chris Cagle and Trick Pony (Heidi Newfield, Keith Burns and Ira Dean). On the Verge, CMT's limited series that documents the career development of artists on the verge of star status, will give viewers an inside look at these two electric performers with exclusive performance and interview footage.