On CMT: Host  

Evan Farmer
Evan Farmer joins CMT bringing with him a resume that is as impressive as it is eclectic -- spanning music, television, film, stage and print. Perhaps best known as the host and handyman of TLC's Emmy nominated home makeover series While You Were Out, he first made entertainment news in 1998 with his portrayal of the central character Jerry O'Keefe in MTV'S first made-for-television movie, chronicling the spoof boy-band 2GE+HER's rise to fame. He also recorded lead vocals on the 2GE+HER soundtrack and follow-up album, 2GE+HER Again, selling over a million copies worldwide. In short order, a television series of the same name followed, as did several Top 10 music videos, which ultimately led to sharing the stage on the Britney Spears Oops I Did It Again tour in 2000, in many ways spinning the joke back on itself.

Where Farmer's story begins however, is arguably just as interesting. The son of a U.S. Army flight medic and nurse, he was born in Asmara, Ethiopia, and spent much of his early childhood traveling extensively throughout the world. After graduating from Tulane University in 1995, he relocated to New York City to dive headlong into entertainment and rapidly began to develop opportunities onstage, in national commercials and soaps. By 1997, Farmer had joined the summer tour of the chart-topping Russian pop-rock group, Ha-Ha (pronounced Na-Na), singing lead and playing guitar as they traveled extensively throughout the former Soviet Republic performing to sold-out arenas.

He returned home once again to focus on film and television, landing roles in Shaft Returns, Austin Powers in Goldmember and JAG to name a few. It was while guest hosting MTV's Total Request Live for Carson Daly that he realized how much he enjoyed the role of "host" -- especially on live television. Ask Farmer about the greatest role of his life, though, and he'll quickly tell you it's being a dad.

Somehow, throughout everything, he has always made time to pursue his true passion in life -- philanthropy. From the start, Farmer has struggled to find meaning in the attention that comes with a career in the spotlight, but with the devastating impact of his mother's diagnosis of breast cancer, her subsequent passing in 2007 due to complications resulting from ovarian cancer and after losing his friend and 2GE+HER castmate Michael Cuccione, the answer became crystal clear -- be actively involved to raise awareness for charities that make a difference. A few of them include the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Michael Cuccione Foundation, Until a Cure, the Red Cross, Autism Speaks, Rebuilding Together, Bras for a Cause and UNICEF. Intent on making a difference in Nashville, he has been the spokesperson for Tennessee's Walk Now for Autism since its inception in 2008.

The Entertainment Formula, Farmer's first book, is expected to be released this spring and will be a practical guide on how to break into the various aspects of entertainment -- a subject he clearly knows a thing or two about.

He is married to Nashville native Andrea Smith, and they have one son, Garrison. born Jan. 17, 2009.