CMT announces the anticipated return of its acclaimed, short-form digital series, “Viral to Verified,” featuring first-person accounts from fast-rising artists making waves on social media and in country music.
The five-episode installment will highlight one artist per week, giving exclusive looks at the red-hot careers of newcomers Megan Moroney, Dalton Dover, Avery Anna, Cooper Alan and Julia Cole. The series premieres exclusively on CMT’s socials, the very platforms that ignited these artists’ most recent successes.
“We’re excited to be back with Season 2 of our award-winning CMT digital series ‘Viral To Verified,” shares Melissa Goldberg, Vice President, CMT Digital. “This season we’re spotlighting the rise of five talented new country artists, who are at the tipping point of stardom. Each of their stories is as unique as the music they create, and we’re thrilled to document this stage in their careers and introduce them to an even broader audience through CMT.”
Goldberg continues, “This year, we’ve elevated the look and feel of the series and added a companion performance to each episode so those who may not be familiar with the artist will be able experience the music firsthand.”
The new episodes will premiere as follows:
Jan. 12 – Megan Moroney
Jan. 19 – Dalton Dover
Jan. 26 – Avery Anna
Feb. 2 – Cooper Alan
Feb. 9 – Julia Cole
“Viral to Verified”’s first episode features Megan Moroney, a Georgia native who is climbing the charts with the fan-favorite, “Tennessee Orange.” The song took off on social media after she posted it on TikTok and went on to become the most-streamed song by any female country artist per week, leading to her record deal with Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records.
“Viral to Verified” is one of several CMT short-form series specifically produced for digital platforms. The first installment which debuted in 2021 was recognized with a Shorty Award in the “Vertical Video” category, honoring videos that effectively and creatively establish a brand’s social media presence and garnered significant attention or following from an audience.
Each week, “Viral to Verified” shines a spotlight on new and diverse voices in country music who have recently found widespread acclaim, most after working at their craft for years, thanks to overwhelming viral success on social media. Additional CMT Digital franchises include “On The Road” and “CMT Campfire Sessions.” The short-form series is executive produced by Melissa Goldberg, Vice President, CMT Digital; Corey Janus, serves as Executive Producer; Chandler Alteri as Producer; and Brittany Lutz, as Line Producer.
