Even the country-music establishment has decided to give the reality-show concept a try: Next March, the USA Network will begin airing Nashville Star, an Idol/Real World hybrid that follows the career trajectory of ten unsigned songwriters, all selected from regional contests. (One winner will be awarded a recording contract with Sony/Nashville.) As part of one of those contestant-scouting missions, representatives of both the USA Network and Sony will come to Denver on Wednesday, December 11, with a showcase at the Buffalo Rose, presented by the Denver Barn Dance. Though we're not sure the show is one we'd set the VCR for, the showcase is good news for country fans, as it means some of the area's best performers and bands will show up to do their stuff for the Sony brass (who reportedly are looking for new artists for the label, not just the show). It also suggests that Denver's mighty little grassroots country scene -- along with the independent, twang-centric artists thriving here -- is slowly gaining the attention of Nashville tastemakers.

We just hope they don't bring their own float.