NASHVILLE – November 24, 2003 – Eight city slickers follow their dreams out West for the extreme cowboy challenge on CMT’s new series, COWBOY U 2004. Competing against the animals, the elements and each other in an uphill battle to become cowboys – contestants
battle for the title of “All Around Cowboy” and $25,000 cash. COWBOY U 2004 will debut Friday, Jan. 16 at 9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT* on CMT.

On a real working ranch, contestants say goodbye to modern conveniences such as phones and indoor showers. At this rugged cowboy “boot camp,” they must learn to rope, ride and wrangle. Country star Blake Shelton makes a special musical appearance.

Professional cowboy Rocco Wachman, bull rider Judd Leffew and champion team
roper Shawn Stephens prepare the contestants for life on the range, before embarking on a grueling six-day horse trek to their final competition in a historic rodeo arena. Newfound cowboy skills are put to the test in a final challenge where they must rope a steer, barrel race and ride a 1,200-pound live bull in hopes of earning a $25,000 cash prize and custom-made COWBOY U 2004 saddle and belt buckle.

COWBOY U 2004 features four men and four women who hail from cities across the United States. Dani Armstrong, a singer/dancer from Highland, Mich.; David Bauman, an author from Burlington, Wis.; Megumi Hosogai, a restaurant hostess from Honolulu, Hawaii; Brandie Lyons, a registered nurse from Visalia, Calif.; Frank Prather, a software salesman from Bethesda, Md.; Amir Raziq, a salesman from St. Louis, Mo.; Chris Shurley, a marketing director from Gainseville, Fla.; and Elli Wooten, a flight attendant from Key West, Fla. all try to prove they can outdo mother nature and each other.

COWBOY U 2004 is a production of CMT and Los Angeles-based Triage Inc. Executive producers are CMT’s Melanie Moreau, and Stephen Kroopnick, Stu Schreiberg and David Wechter of Triage Inc.

For more on COWBOY U 2004, visit CMT.com. http://www.cmt.com/cmt/event/cowboy.u.jhtml
CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 71.7 million households in the United States.

*EDITORS: COWBOY U 2004 premieres Friday, Jan. 16 at 9:00 PM, Eastern; 8:00 PM, Central; 10:00 PM, Mountain; and 9:00 PM, Pacific.
* * * *

Press Contacts: Amanda Murphy 615/335-8408 amanda.murphy@CMT.com
Jama Bowen 615/335-8405 jama.bowen@CMT.com