The current Gretchen Wilson/Big & Rich tour will be turned into an original television series for CMT. The show, “MuzikMafia TV,” will debut Jan. 15.
The show is named for the highly organized band of Nashville musicians whose weekly shows became so popular that the outfit outgrew several local nightclubs over the course of the year, and a handful of its members scored label deals. Wilson and Big & Rich are charter Muzik Mafia members.
The one-hour show follows the group on tour, mixing backstage antics and life on the road with live performances. In addition to the headliners, the show features much of the Muzik Mafia entourage, as well as performances by non-members such as Tim McGraw, Usher, Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Heart and Kanye West.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros., home to Big & Rich and Muzik Mafia member Jon Nicholson, is preparing to launch a new imprint, Raybaw Records, in 2005. The label will be run by John Rich and Big Kenny Alphin (of Big & Rich), Nicholson and fellow Muzik Mafia member Cory Gierman. Raybaw’s first release is expected to be from group member Cowboy Troy.
