Greater Sudbury's Big Nickel is set to become the next big star on Country Music Television.
It is the backdrop for CMT's Chevy Cross Canada Countdown on Aug. 1.
The show's host, Casey Clarke, and a small television crew spent a day in the Nickel City recently to tape segments for the popular country music countdown program - a weekly show that is broadcast to 20 million homes nationwide.
The CMT Chevy Cross Canada Countdown, featuring Casey Clarke and the City of Greater Sudbury, will air Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., Aug. 2 at 11 a.m., Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.
According to Sarah Jackson, a production co-ordinator with Henry Less Productions in Toronto, "Sudbury will be featured in all of Casey's segments, which works out to about 45 minutes of air time. One half of that time approximately will feature The Big Nickel and Dynamic Earth."
"The national visibility that Greater Sudbury will receive by being featured on this CMT program is priceless, as far as I'm concerned," said Deputy Mayor Ron Dupuis, in a release. 
"However, when you work out the actual numbers, the air time they're dedicating to our city translates into an estimated $214,000 dollars worth of promotion.  Imagine the impact that could have as we enter into the second half of the summer tourist season."
So what was it that brought CMT Canada to Sudbury? Technically, it was word of mouth and the power of the Internet.
A contest launched earlier this year called Vote Casey to Your Town prompted local fans to post a group to the cmt.ca site.  They posted photos and bragged about everything our city has to offer: 
"I really like the landscape of Sudbury. I think it's so cool that there is such a contrast of rock and architecture. You just don't see that down south. You don't have to go far to find a beautiful lake or river. Bell Park is an incredible area any time of year, nestled on Ramsey Lake. We are forever taking short hikes around the area to explore what is out there."
"Hey Casey! After over two years of travelling back and forth to the Sudbury area, I've finally moved here. Sudbury is a totally awesome place to live. It's growing in leaps and bounds and there is an abundant country music fan base here. Besides, if Elton John can do a concert here, then Casey Clarke should have no problem bringing his crew to shoot an episode of the Chevy Cross Canada Countdown."
"I love Science North.  I never get tired of it.  I'm 14 and I still think it's so much fun. There are so many other awesome things in Sudbury, but Science North is my fave. Casey come to Sudbury!"
