Followed by: Polka Idol. I lied, maybe.

The USA Network wants to do for country music what Fox television's "American Idol" did for pop.

The cable network announced on Friday a nationwide search for the next great country music artist, with open auditions for "Nashville Star" kicking off in Nashville on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The winner of "Nashville Star" — an upcoming USA Network prime-time event — will earn a recording contract from Sony Music Nashville.

"Our show is open to talented country music performers from all ages and all walks of life," said Chris Sloan, USA Network's senior vice president for alternative programming.

"We're not looking for the next one-hit wonder, but the next superstar for the long haul. Our 'Nashville Star' is not a pre-manufactured star created by the industry, but a true artist discovered by the fans."

After Tuesday's initial auditions in Nashville, the search will roll out nationwide on Friday, Nov. 1. Approximately 30 local radio stations will host auditions over four weeks.

Local winners will compete in regional competitions in five cities in January before 10 finalists will be brought to Nashville to compete against each other in a series of live performances.

I have a great idea: next time a formula works in show biz, everyone else should copy it as closely as possible, in as short a time as possible, until consumers are dead sick of it. Then they should do it all over again.