'6 Degrees of Martina McBride'

July 18, 2007 — -- We've all heard the theory: Everyone in the world is separated from everyone else by only six other people. But is it true?

That's the starting point for "6 Degrees of Martina McBride," a new show that combines competition with country music and the social theory known as "six degrees of separation."

Six people from some of the tiniest towns in America will find out just how far connections, talent and Martina McBride can take them toward their dream of country music stardom.

The six hopefuls are Kristina Craig from Whitman, Neb., Mark Jasper from Beulah, N.D., DeAnne Roberts from Dickens, Texas, Ken Swick from Elk River Valley, Colo., Dani Riker from Encampment, Wyo., and Thomas Stratton from Union, Ore. In the end, one of these six wannabe stars and starlets could walk away with a record deal.

The idea behind "Six Degrees" is to cross divides of geography and celebrity by challenging the contestants to "connect" with country music superstar Martina McBride.

They could not call her office. They couldn't find out where her next performance was and hang out by the stage door waiting for her to emerge. They could not Google her.

To complete this part of the competition, contestants had to go to someone they know and ask them to take them to someone they know and so on with the goal of eventually getting to someone who knows Martina McBride personally.

Could they do it? McBride herself had doubts.

"I can't imagine six people could know someone who knows someone who could get to me," she said. "I don't think so."

Ironically, McBride feels she has been the beneficiary of six degrees of separation in her own life and career.

Born with ample talent and the will to make it, the star had no connections in Nashville except one person her husband knew.

John Kay, lead singer for the legendary rock band Steppenwolf, opened the door for McBride to a chain of helpful strangers leading to a music career envied by her peers and beloved by her fans.