Interview: Diana DeGarmo has 'Gone Country' with John Rich

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By April MacIntyre Jan 10, 2008, 22:36 GMT

CMT’s new show “Gone Country” seems on surface to be a funny, fish-out-of–water reality series, but the show's creator, singer-songwriter John Rich, was calculated in his casting with the ultimate goal: To make really great, memorable music with artists he felt had the ability to pull it off. Diana DeGarmo - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Diana DeGarmo - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos“When I saw how serious John was when we arrived,” laughed Diana DeGarmo, the pretty all-American who is now part of Rich's seven assembled celebrities, “we all really weren’t sure what we had signed up for, but he (John) laid it out and told us that we had been carefully and specifically picked out for a reason, he had a glimmer in his eye.” Diana

Diana

The ex “Idol” finalist from 2004, Diana DeGarmo was selected as one of the seven established performers Rich handpicked from every nook of the entertainment and music industry, and according to Diana, all stand a real chance to break out as the next big country superstar. The Birmingham, Alabama born DeGarmo was only sixteen when she was on “Idol,” and looks back with a healthy deprecating assessment of her stage presence. “I can’t even believe my hair and how I dressed; I know now how some child actors feel when they look back at themselves on film.”Joining Diana, the “Gone Country” players also include Bobby Brown – R&B singer, Carnie Wilson – former member of Wilson Phillips; Dee Snider – lead singer Twisted Sister; Julio Iglesias, Jr. – pop singer; Maureen McCormick – Marcia from “The Brady Bunch”; and Sisqó – a former member of the group Dru Hill. “I had never met any of these people before this show, but we have bonded as a group of performers, you know, we all got that this show is about the dedication to creating the best writing, and music,” explained Diana. “We all worked so very hard and took it seriously. People are going to be shocked at how good the songs and the music is that came out of this experience.”

John Rich

“Gone Country” will have the seven musicians live in a Nashville mansion together as they work in tandem on a two-week adventure, overseen by John Rich. Each celebrity will be paired up with some of Nashville's finest songwriters in an attempt to prepare them for a career in country music. In each episode, the cast competes against each other in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle, both on and off the stage. Diana didn’t hesitate on telling me her favorite Nashville singer/ songwriter encounter. “The episode that I had the most fun on was where I got to meet Gretchen Wilson, which was amazing - I almost passed out - it was just awesome!” Diana

Diana

There are no cast eliminations in “Gone Country.” “The no eliminations part was great, I don’t think I could have handled that, I’d have gotten a nervous tic or something,” shared DeGarmo. “That was the most stressful part of 'American Idol' for me.”At the end of the two weeks, the artist who is most prepared to impress a country audience, as determined by Rich, will record and release their music.At age 20, Diana was the youngest contestant in a series that had the contestants age span go from 20 to 56. “My age, that’s my biggest weakness, I think. It was strange in that I was singing and working with people my parent’s age, yet they were my peers too, it was a really wonderful experience for me. Bobby, Dee and Julio are all such experienced and powerfully talented stage performers.”“Bobby (Brown) really made for great television; he needed to take it over the edge. He’s an incredible stage performer.

Dee Snider

Dee Snider I just love, he gives me hope that I will find my true love out there somewhere. He came on the bus and immediately his whole rocker persona melts away as he talked to us about his wife. He’s known her for 36 years, married to her for 31, and has kids my age. He talked so highly about her, and he never did drugs or fall into any of the lifestyle excesses. He’s a down-to-earth, intelligent human being."Whose voice sent Diana over the moon?“Julio’s (Iglesias Jr.) voice was incredible, a sweet, sultry sound, plus he has a lovely personality. I think we kind of scared him at first but his sense of humor rose to the occasion- he does stand-up too! But his voice is uber-sexy,” confided Diana.Which celebrity(s) did she bond the closest with?“I’m fond of the girls, I roomed and became buddies with Carnie and Mo (Maureen) and we held down the estrogen Fort! And Dee, he became a buddy too.”Will the show have a follow-up for Diana?“That I am not sure of, but I hope it does continue. But however John (Rich) found me, I'd tell him 'thank you so much for letting me be part for this show. I am so grateful, and blessed.' " "Gone Country" premieres with a special one-hour episode on Friday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. Respective episodes will be half-hour shows; with the series finale running one-hour on Friday, March 7.

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MikeJan 11th, 2008 - 02:23:24

This show should be fun and entertaining. Diana Degarmo what a great singer. I saw her on Broadway when she brings the house down on the finale.'Can't stop the Beat.She has grown and matured into a great artist and only 20.I do hope she wins but I got to say there are some talented people in this show.

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MichelleJan 11th, 2008 - 07:39:45

Diana seems like such a down-to-earth person. I'm looking forward to this show, and think Diana has what it takes to win it.

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SherieJan 11th, 2008 - 17:33:37

Regardless of the people who criticise AI, it is a great place for talent to be highlighted and put out there. A lot of contestants have gone on to do great things even if they weren't the so-called 'winner'!

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NancyApr 13th, 2008 - 22:51:04

Loved the Gone Country show with Diana Degarmo. This was a great article on Diana with lots of great new pictures. Hope to see more articles on Diana.

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KarenApr 14th, 2008 - 02:24:10

Great article on Diana Degarmo. The new pictures of her are awesome. The whole cast of Gone Country did a great show. Diana Degarmo's song Right Back Where We Ended was the highlight of the show.

Again, a great article on Diana Degarmo. Hope to see more articles on her in the future.

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JaniceApr 20th, 2008 - 02:12:04

Great article on Diana Degarmo. Would love to see more articles on her in the future. Really enjoyed the Gone Country show and hear that Diana will be starting on a country music career shortly. She will do great.

Hope to see more articles of Diana Degarmo in the future. This article was great and so were the pictures.

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DebbieApr 21st, 2008 - 06:15:53

It was sure great to find this article on Diana Degarmo. She was great on Gone Country series. Would love to see more articles on Diana about her recent move to Nashville and updates on her embarking on a country music career.

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JeffMay 18th, 2008 - 00:35:20

Great article on Diana Degarmo. Gone Country was sure a great show. Heard that Diana Degarmo has signed with John Rich's production company and is working on a country album.

Hope to see more articles on Diana Degarmo. This was sure a great article with great pictures of Diana.

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KristenJun 1st, 2008 - 01:37:20

Great article on Diana DeGarmo. She will be great in country music. Hope to see more articles on her in the future. Diana will be at the CMA Music Festival in June in Nashville.

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GinaJun 8th, 2008 - 21:21:58

Great article on Diana DeGarmo. Hope to see more articles on her in the future she is a very positive role model.

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Interview: Diana DeGarmo has 'Gone Country' with John Rich

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