Sixwire, ‘CMT’s Next Superstar’ House Band, Are TV’s Go-To Guys

'CMT's Next Superstar,' the reality competition TV series follows ten contestants, who live together while competing for the grand prize -- a single released to radio and a spot on this summer's CMT tour. The show, which debuted last week, is produced by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe and his son Simon, who also has a producing credit on 'AI.'

In each episode, contestants face challenges such as radio interviews, filming music videos and traveling on a tour bus to perform live at various venues. The Boot caught up with the band that accompanies the contestants each week, Nashville's own Sixwire, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the highly-anticipated show.

"The reason we were involved is because we've had a long history with reality talent-search shows," Sixwire lead singer Andy Childs tells The Boot. "From 'Nashville Star' on the USA Network to becoming a finalist on FOX's 'Next Great American Band,' which is by the producers of 'American Idol.' From that, we were hired to be the house band for the show called 'Can You Duet' [also on CMT], and some of the producers from that are producing 'CMT's Next Superstar.'"

Despite their continuing history with numerous shows, Andy is partial to the format of their latest effort. "'Can You Duet' ran two seasons and was the highest rated show on CMT," he continues. "I don't know why it was discontinued, but this show has a better format than that because it concentrates on one artist at a time. Trying to sustain a brand-new duo every year would be tough, but they have really come up with a combined theme of live performance and reality TV."

The band of five all perform at the top of their game, whether playing their own gigs or backing up other singers. "We did the show because we're just collectively really good at doing this kind of thing," Andy explains. "We let the contestants know right off the bat that they are in really good hands. We'll see to it that they're going to be able to be at their best for each performance they have with us. We've become the go-to people for this type of show."

The group, who are known around Music City for their packed shows and high-energy performances, enjoyed a Top 40 hit several years ago, with their debut single, 'Look at Me Now,' on Warner Brothers. But while they left the label shortly after that, they continue making music.

"We are still working on an independent recording project that we started in the spring of 2007 -- going through a lot of changes and a lot of songs," Andy reveals. "Every time we were about to finish it, we end up with another TV project or some traveling that puts our plans on hold."

Once the project is finished, the group will decide what route they'll take with it. "We're just keeping an eye on the constantly changing music business," he says. "The fact that artists are emerging independently is not a fact that's lost on us. It leaves us where we really don't have much interest in a major label. Not that there's anything wrong with major labels. They're great. But for Sixwire guys who have been in this longer than most people hitting labels these days, we know what we want to do and how we want to do it. We only want to be in a situation where we make the decisions and we run the shows. If we were in our twenties, it might be different, but we're looking for either an independent label or an investor who knows what we know, and that it can be done independently. When we find that right situation, we'll put out another record."

'CMT's Next Superstar' airs Friday nights at 9:00 PM ET on CMT.