CMT’s newest original production turns ordinary dads into deadringers for country superstars, kicking off the New Year with a dose of the reality/makeover flavour. For Project Dad, premiering Monday, Jan. 1 at 10 pm, the country music network combed the provinces looking for regular dads who were viewer-nominated as heroes at work, home or in their communities. These men get to be transformed into the likenesses of their favourite country music superstar, living the lush life under the direction of CMT host Beverley Mahood. The first episode puts a 40-year-old Winnipeg welder in the shoes of Tim McGraw in Miami, Florida, sending him to the Everglades, a Miami Dolphins/Green Bay Packers game, and a sneak preview of McGraw’s new movie, Flicka.

A similar offering open to women, and called Project Mom, is also in the works for a January debut.

Other New Year offerings from the country net include a fifth season of Nashville Star, the country music talent search, plus a dose of sibling rivalry in the family comedy, Hope & Faith. The first live episode of Nashville Star hits the air on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 10 pm. Hope & Faith starts on Monday, Jan. 1 and runs weeknights at 8 pm, alongside Roseanne, Reba and Married with Children in CMT’s comedy block.