Sony Computer Entertainment America will release a country version of its long-running karaoke video game franchise SingStar in October.
Previous U.S. versions of the game have covered genres ranging from pop, rock and children’s music while international versions have had local music from countries such as Croatia, Italy and Germany. This is the first time the company has made a country version.
Many, although not all, of the 30 songs in the game are from artists on the roster of sister company Sony BMG Nashville. Those include: Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Jessica Simpson, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry and Kellie Pickler.
“It’s great to be one of the first SingStar Country artists,” said Wilson in a statement. “This game lets me reach out to all country fans in a whole new way, not only giving them the chance to hear my music, but also to become a part of it.”
As part of the promotion of the game Sony and Sony BMG Nashville are launching a contest in September dubbed “Sing Your Way to the CMA Awards”. Twelve radio stations in markets such as L.A., Houston and Chicago will run tournaments to find the best player of the game.
The gamers with the highest scores will then have their performances posted on hearsomethingcountry.com for the public to vote on. The winner will get tickets to the 42nd Annual CMA Awards that take place on November 12 in Nashville.
