Caitlin Lynn of CAITLIN & WILL
Caitlin Lynn, a native and current resident of Glen Burnie, Md., is one half of the duo Eighty1 South and initially auditioned for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET with her duo partner, Jennifer Van Meter. Caitlin was the only half to make it through the auditions and was disappointed to see her best friend and band partner have to go home. She and her forward personality, rockin’ style and strong, blow-you-away vocal skills continued on in the competition. One would never think that she currently works as a radiology receptionist and is going to school for a degree in psychotherapy. After losing yet another duo partner, Caitlin was finally paired with Will Snyder and together they are a force to be reckoned with. Caitlin is influenced by a wide variety of artists including Kathleen Edwards, Dave Matthews, Lori McKenna, Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith. 
Will Snyder of CAITLIN & WILL
Will Snyder, a 22-year-old from London, Ky. boasts a strong, gritty
voice that is perfect for southern rock. Will was exposed to the idea
of auditioning for CAN YOU DUET by his cousin Belvis, who is 20
years his senior. Singing since a child in church and having played with Belvis together for about five years, Will and his cousin decided to make the trip to Nashville to try their luck. Much to Will’s dismay, and complete shock, Belvis did not make the cut, but the judges fell in love with Will’s talents almost immediately. Crediting his cousin for getting him hooked on music, Will was upset, but knew he would continue in the competition in his cousin’s honor. Influenced by the likes of Nickelback, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Urban, Will has a variety of musical inspirations that has helped shape his talent.
Nick Brownell of BROWNELL & RICHEY
A road trip from Los Angeles after he and his singing partner sent in a tape brought 23-year-old Nick Brownell to CMT’s CAN YOU DUET auditions in Nashville. Hailing from Sandusky, Ohio, Nick has always loved to sing ever since he was a small child. He’s been playing the guitar since the age of 17 and is also skilled on the harmonica, drums, bass and piano. A full time musician, his one-year-old son gives him the motivation he needs to succeed. Nick confesses he has enjoyed every minute of this experience and is grateful to have the opportunity. His musical style is influenced from the rock genre and he listens to the likes of Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page.
Jeremiah Richey of BROWNELL & RICHEY
Leaving a well-paying job with a brokerage firm to focus on a music
career may sound crazy to most people, but not to Jeremiah Richey.
An outgoing personality and a charming face give this 27-year-old
Texas native an upper-hand, as does his covetous musical talent.
Jeremiah wows his audience not only with an amazing singing voice,
but also a talent for playing the guitar, drums and trumpet. Admitting he had a difficult childhood, Jeremiah is driven to make something of himself. Currently pursuing music full time, he is influenced by an array of artists such as Keith Urban, Stone Temple Pilots, Maynard Ferguson, Garth Brooks, Bob Schneider and George Strait. Making the decision to travel to Nashville for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET auditions has made him “fall in love with country music all over again.”
Joey Martin (Feek) of JOEY & RORY
We’ve all heard stories about waitresses who have dreams of country stardom, but not from waitresses who own their own restaurant. Alexandria, Ind. native Joey Martin (Feek) is just that – a restaurant owner/waitress, as well as a singer/songwriter. Living on a farm in rural Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, and owning and operating a “meat and three” restaurant are not easy tasks, which may be why Joey secretly carries a knife in her back pocket everywhere she goes. Joey and her songwriter husband of six years, Rory, met at a songwriter’s night at the Bluebird Café in Nashville and since that time have always sung together, whether performing at songwriter’s nights or at home. It just made sense to the couple to drive the short distance to audition in front of CMT’s CAN YOU DUET judges. Their traditional country style is swayed by timeless country artists such as Dolly Parton, Joey’s mother June Martin, Patty Loveless, Emmylou
Harris and George Strait.
Rory Feek of JOEY & RORY
This 42-year-old Kansas native is a talented songwriter who is married
to his duet partner, Joey. Together, Rory and Joey co-own and manage a restaurant with his sister-in-law in rural Tennessee. Living on a farm and working at a restaurant leaves little time for songwriting, but this overall-wearing country music lover has still managed to get songs cut by country greats including Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Clay Walker. Rory credits his father for passing along his love of music and says a life in the music industry was originally his father’s dream, which he handed down to Rory at a young age. Rory is influenced by singers such as Don Williams, Merle Haggard and Jim Croce, and songwriters like Harlan Howard, Max D. Barnes, Gary Burr and Skip Ewing.
Kacey Coppola of THE COPPOLAS
Tall, blonde, beautiful and twins! What more do you need? Well, twin Kacey Coppola might say a boyfriend -admitting she can’t seem to keep one longer than a year. Kacey and her identical twin sister, Kate, have been a country duo since they were young, growing up in Denver, Col. Armed with a killer voice and the talent to play guitar, piano and the harmonica, Kacey is ready for the tough, competitive challenges ahead. This 25-year-old singer/songwriter is swayed by several types of music, especially Motown, but listens to Keith Urban, Fleetwood Mac, Patty Griffin and others. The decision to audition for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET was a no-brainer for Kacey and Kate. Kacey says, “The show called for country duos and that’s exactly what we are.”
Kate Coppola of THE COPPOLAS
Singer/songwriter Kate Coppola has been singing with identical twin
sister, Kacey, as long as she can remember. These 25-year-old twins
from Denver, Col. started singing “I’m A Little Teapot” as children and
now find themselves living in Nashville, Tenn. with a publishing deal
and are starting to see success. Kate knew she and her sister had to audition for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET and claims that this whole experience has been amazing and compares it to a rollercoaster ride. Kate listens to and is influenced by artist such as Dolly Parton, Patty Griffin, Keith Urban and Martina McBride. She ready for the challenges she and her sister will face in the competition and tells the judges, “Bring it on!”
David Oakleaf of JOHNSON & OAKLEAF
Growing up on a farm riding horses and team roping may not seem likely to lead to managing a music venue in Nashville, Tenn., but it did for 28-year-old David Oakleaf. Along with riding horses and roping, David started singing and playing guitar in the local Opry House of his hometown of Howard, KS at the age of 11. Now, David and his best friend, contestant Lewis Brice, who work and play together, decided to try out for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET, in the hopes that it might jump start their careers. Luckily, they both made the cut, however both got paired with other contestants. David and his new duo partner, Jared Johnson, are both committed to working hard and wowing the judges. David is skilled in playing the guitar, harmonica, trumpet and drums and is influenced musically by the likes of George Strait, Keith Urban and Led Zeppelin.
Jared Johnson of JOHNSON & OAKLEAF
Jared Johnson, a 29-year-old songwriter from Belton, Texas, waited
eight hours in 35 degree weather to audition for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET.
Luckily, Jared made it through, but was split from his partner. The
judges paired him with David Oakleaf and the two feel it was a pretty good match. Jared, who is getting married in August, is excited to see how far he and David can make it in this grueling challenge. Jared is influenced musically by Steven Curtis Chapman, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and the Everly Brothers. He admits that this experience has been a “crazy but fun ride” and has met some amazing people.
Ruth Collins of WILD HONEY
Ruth Collins, 24, came to Nashville after living on a vineyard in Fredonia, N.Y. Having her mom for a church choir director, Ruth started singing at a very young age and even had her first solo at the age of 3. Ruth currently works as a server in Nashville and heard about the CMT CAN YOU DUET auditions through some friends. She and her duo partner, Victoria, who happens to be the other half of their band Wild Honey, decided to head to the auditions and try their luck. Happily, Ruth and her duo partner made it through and still can’t believe they’re on board this fabulous ride. Ruth, who plays the guitar, piano and violin, is inspirited by artists like Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and The Beatles.
Victoria Gibson of WILD HONEY
Georgia native Victoria Gibson was working as a server in Nashville
when she heard about the CMT CAN YOU DUET auditions. She and
her duo partner Ruth, known as Wild Honey, decided to go for it and
prove their skills in from of the CMT judges. Only 20 years of age,
Victoria has been singing since she learned to talk. She loves to listen to The Beatles, Dixie Chicks, Alison Kraus, Lori McKenna and more. Victoria and Ruth are now best friends who sing and write together and when it comes to this experience, Victoria admits it’s an emotional rollercoaster, but she loves every minute.
Chris Cline of CHRIS & NATHAN
A 24-year-old native of Wilmington, N.C., Chris Cline always grew up thinking he was meant to be an athlete, but after suffering an injury in high school, he was forced to have to rethink his future. Chris ended up joining high school chorus during his junior year which led to him receiving a scholarship to sing in college. He then realized that singing was what fit him the best. Chris recently packed his bags and moved to Nashville to pursue music. He auditioned for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET as a single and was paired by the judges to his duo partner, Nathan. Being a singer and a pianist, Chris enjoys many different styles of music from artist such as Bryan White, Hall & Oates, Vince Gill and Boys II Men.
Nathan Herron of CHRIS & NATHAN
Nathan Herron began singing in church at the age of five in his
hometown of Harrisburg, Ill. Today he is the music minister of his
church in Murray, Ky. After making it to the Top 40 on a previous
season of “American Idol,” Nathan decided to try his luck by auditioning
for CAN YOU DUET. In addition to singing, Nathan can also play the guitar and drums. He has been influenced by southern gospel and R&B singers, and some of country favorites include Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Rascal Flatts.
Gabe Jordan of GABE & LB
A construction worker turned country singer? That’s exactly how you would describe 26-year-old Gabe Jordan. Originally from Bandera, Texas and now living in Cottontown, Tenn., Gabe grew up in a very musical family. His mother and father are both musicians and he and his four brothers and sisters all started singing in church at a young age. Gabe and his sister, Sarah, tried out together for CMT’s CAN YOU DUET, but unfortunately Sarah didn’t make it to the final round. Gabe was paired with Lewis Brice and together they are working hard to impress the judges. Gabe also happens to play the guitar, drums, piano and bass. He listens to a wide variety of artists including Chris Martin, The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Keith Urban and The Shins.
Lewis Brice (LB) of GABE & LB
25-year-old Sumter, S.C. native, Lewis Brice, is no stranger to Nashville’s
thriving music scene. Along with his best friend and frequent collaborator
David Oakleaf, he manages the well-known venue 12th & Porter. The
pair auditioned together but was split by the judges, mainly, Lewis says,
“because I think we didn’t choose the right song.” He was then assigned to current partner, Gabe Jordan. Lewis grew up in a very musical family – his brother, Lee Brice, is well-known singer/songwriter, whom Lewis credits as one of his inspirations, along with Fuel, Coldplay, Garth Brooks and The Marshall Tucker Band. Lewis is a multi-talented musician who plays guitar, mandolin and piano.
TV Spotlight: 'CAN YOU DUET'
All photos are copyright © by RUSS HARRINGTON
