Q&A With Nashville Star Host Cowboy Troy

A new season of the USA network talent competition Nashville Star kicks off Tuesday, March 14th with a couple of new hosts -- country superstar Wynonna Judd and "hick-hop" artist Cowboy Troy. I asked Cowboy Troy all about his exciting new hosting gig and here's what he had to say.

Q: Would you have done a talent show like Nashville Star when you were trying to break into the business?
A: I participated in a talent search a few years ago but it was for agents looking for clients. I don't think I would have had the guts to do a televised competition. The finalists have a lot of guts to do this.

Q: Are you looking forward to working with Wynonna each week?
A: I love working with and being around Wy. She is extremely professional and a cool person to be around.

Q: On American Idol, host Ryan Seacrest plays mind games with the contestants before he reveals who is going home. Do you think that's cruel or just entertainment? Would you do the same thing on Nashville Star?
Mind games are not something I plan to use on the contestants. I think they're nervous enough as it is. They don't need my help in that area.

Q: Were you a big fan of Nashville Star before taking the job? How did you end up hosting the show?
A: Nashville Star was a cool program long before I got involved. Last season after I was on the show in the season finale with Big & Rich, I guess I wound up on the Nashville Star radar. Someone spoke with my management somewhere, and my management asked me if I would be interested in working with the show, and of course I said yes.