NASHVILLE – CMT today announced critically-acclaimed pop singer/songwriter Kesha will join Grammy Award-winning Americana band Old Crow Medicine Show for an all-new “CMT Crossroads” collaboration premiering Wednesday, December 6 at 10 PM ET/PT. The episode will tape in Nashville, home to both artists, and feature performances of each other’s biggest songs including hits from Kesha’s latest No. 1 album Rainbow and Old Crow Medicine Show fan-favorite “Wagon Wheel.”
“I grew up on country music, it was the first music I sang, listened to, and wrote as a child, and I’m especially stoked to be collaborating with Old Crow Medicine Show,” said Kesha. “I’ve always admired early country artists such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Gram Parsons, and Loretta Lynn, and the outlaw attitude of some of those early country artists who helped create rock and roll. To me, Old Crow Medicine Show epitomizes that attitude and wildness while also being amazing songwriters and performers.”
“Old Crow is so excited to be working with Kesha on this project,” said band member Ketch Secor. “Through our nearly 20 years of performing together our band has enjoyed many different kinds of musical collaborations, but this will be our first time working together with a pop star. We love Kesha’s style and we’re all looking forward to what we’ll come up with together.”
The news comes on the heels of a strong year for CMT, which has posted eleven consecutive months of year-over-year ratings growth with Adults 18-49 and with Women 18-49. Furthermore, CMT finished the 2017 Fiscal Year up +12% among Adults 18-49 and up +13% among Women 18-49 from the prior year and earned its highest-rated year since 2014. The gains are continuing as quarter-to-date, CMT is up +19% from year ago with Adults 18-49 and up +23% with Women 18-49. (L+SD, CMT Total Day, Fiscal Year: October-September).
“CMT Crossroads” debuted January 13, 2002 with Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams and since has showcased dream musical partnerships including Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr.; Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; Alicia Keys and Maren Morris; and most recently, the Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line, which became the highest-rated “Crossroads” among Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49 since 2012. (L+3).
“CMT Crossroads” is produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin.