CMT’s “Sun Records” Will Not Be Renewed for Second Season
A show that gave a fresh shot in the arm to the legacy of Sun Records and artists like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis will not be renewed for a second season. CMT’s series Sun Records has been canceled after an eight episode run behind the network’s now signature series, Nashville. Starring Chad Michael Murray, Billy Gardell, Drake Milligan, Kevin Fonteyne, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, with cameos from folks like Pokey LaFarge playing Hank Snow, the series was set in Memphis during the birth of rock and roll at the iconic studio landmark the show was named for.
According to CMT’s head of development, Jayson Dinsmore, fans should be happy they got as many episodes as they did, while also saying the series was a success in its short run, and leaving open the possibility of a return. Sun Records averaged a 0.13 rating in the 18-49 demographic, and 585,000 viewers per episode. Though these would be low numbers for a network television show, they fall into the average viewership for a CMT series.
“Originally we had planned for it to be a three-night event, and we morphed the development into a limited-run series,” says Jayson Dinsmore. “It always was to be a limited-run series. It did extremely well but there are no current plans for additional episodes. We may revisit. You never know, because it did quite well.”
The Sun Records series, and Nashville‘s move from ABC were part of a change in strategy from CMT to distance from the controversial reality series Party Down South, and instead focus on television that catered more to their conventional demographics as “Country Music Television.” Though Sun Records was never a ratings king, it found a lot of positive reception with old school country and rock fans. Jerry Lee Lewis and other living members of the original Sun Records scene praised the show.
Coming back to CMT are the Billy Ray Cyrus-led show Still The King, the unscripted I Love Kellie Pickler, among other shows.
Rick
February 24, 2019 @ 5:26 pm
I really liked the show myself and the others was right I fond the show by accident and I love it and the people who played the roles Sam Phillips was a great role ,
Kenneth Pietsch
January 16, 2023 @ 5:06 pm
I agree. Disappointing it’s not renewing. Sad thing was is hard for me to find out for us as well.
Kenneth Pietsch
January 16, 2023 @ 5:07 pm
I agree. Disappointing it’s not renewing. Sad thing was is hard for me to find out for us as well. Poor marketing.
Rc Moser
March 31, 2019 @ 4:33 pm
I liked the show and got package that had TNN in it mainly for this show, cable has limited view its will never compete with free tv for viewing audience cause you have to have the channel to view it. Too bad it got canceled
Harold Beverley
April 15, 2019 @ 10:32 pm
I loved the series, and as a fan of Jerry Lee Lewis and the rest of the Sun artists, I discovered things about their story that I never knew before. The way they developed Sam Phillilips character was especially fascinating. The boy who did Jerry Lee’s part did his homework well, but if they bring the show back in the future, they need to use a character who is a litllr taller. and can project an air of danger when called for. Afterall, JLL was the original outlaw and bad boy of Rock and Roll. To the CMT execs, PLEASE bring this show back! The story needs to be told at least up until 1958, when Jerry’s mercurial career was snuffed out by his marriage to 13 yr. old Myra, and the rest of the Sun artists left the label.
Patricia Root
December 7, 2019 @ 12:20 am
Just finished bing watching this series
I loved it! It all happened before I was born so I I was very curious about the back story of all the caracters. I LOVE the music and would really like the powers that be to reconsider this show for future episodes. .
Arlene R
January 20, 2020 @ 2:56 pm
Loved the show! Would like to know the real reason it was canceled. Maybe a larger channel could pick it up. Loved Nashville too, til the main character was killed off! How’s that going for her?
Heather
September 12, 2021 @ 10:24 pm
Please bring the show back I absolutely love this show and enjoyed watching it takes you back in a time that you don’t see nowadays and the characters were great!!! Bring back Sun records
Michael Salter
June 12, 2022 @ 10:58 am
Please! Why would you pull a great show.
Cmt is at best a mid level canle option. This was a must see offering.
You failed the show, your viewers, and the history that it represented.
Please sell it so that it can be seen and enjoyed by the public.
Merle Mcdowell
December 13, 2022 @ 7:14 pm
We found this show and really like it. Would like to see more seasons. Great cast.
Leslie Mcdowell
December 13, 2022 @ 7:18 pm
Very stupid to cancel after just 1 season. One of the best. Cancel some reality shows.
Merle Mcdowell
December 13, 2022 @ 7:20 pm
Why was this terrific show canceled? You cancel one of the best and go another season with garbage. What stupid moron decided this?
Stephanie kiser
January 18, 2023 @ 5:02 pm
Should not have cancelled this?
Bring it back! I was looking forward to Johnnie Cash showing up at Sun records! NEVER got to see this happen???
MM
April 2, 2023 @ 11:09 am
Wish this show could be renewed – loved all the actors, especially Drake Milligan as Elvis, whose fame could help out the show now if it’s not too late! I had no idea that the show was even out at the time, definitely needed more promotion!
Paul Meno
May 23, 2023 @ 3:24 pm
I totally agree get rid of some of the stupid reality shows and put back on a true history show that explains the beginnings of rock and roll.