While "American Idol" has always catered to youth, wooing teens and putting a strict age limit to restrict anybody with vivid memories of the Carter Administration, USA Network's "Nashville Star" has favored seasoning over dewy freshness. The country music talent show's first two winners have been 43-year-old Buddy Jewell and 34-year-old Brad Cotter and four of the Top 10 contenders in its third season are in their 30s.

At the tender age of 22, LeAnn Rimes would be one of the younger contestants on "Nashville Star," which premieres Tuesday (March 1) night. However, having won multiple Grammys and sold more than 20 million albums, the preternaturally experience Rimes isn't competing. As show's new host, she's trying to give "Star" the credibility boost it needs to move ahead of "Idol."

"I know people compare 'Nashville Star' to 'American Idol' all the time and, yeah, it's that type of show, but I think 'Nashville' really prides itself on having great talent and great artists come out 'Nashville' and all-around artists, not just an image," explains Rimes.

While "Idol" wannabes recycle the same hits by Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye and Celine Dion, "Nashville Star" already stands apart because of the premium it puts on talents beyond vocals. Contestants are required to sing at least one original composition during the show. As one of the "Idol" teenyboppers to pen a song and see how quickly their heads explode. In addition to having at least limited writing skills, many of the performers can also play instruments.

"I'd like see them chose on that instead of how cute they are," Rimes says of those outside gifts. "That plays a big part in what we do, but hopefully that can be secondary."

Rimes snagged the "Nashville Star" gig after making a guest appearance on the second season finale. Her star power has already been used to elevate the profile of a series that has a passionate following among country music fans, but still has ample room for audience expansion.

"I guess they loved me on the show and wanted me to host and called up," says Rimes. "That's the last thing I would have thought I'd be doing right now. I just never thought I'd be hosting a show like this and I've had so much fun doing it. I'm so looking forward to doing the whole season."

As soon as "Star" reaches its finale, Rimes will begin touring in earnest to promote her latest release, "This Woman." Since she recorded her first album at 11 and became an international star at 14, Rimes has barely paused for breath, a path that she has loved, but wouldn't necessarily recommend.

"I feel like I've had a really blessed life, not to say that I haven't worked hard for it," she sighs. "For someone else starting at 13, I'd look at them and say 'Don't do it. Stay in school. And always have something to fall back on.'"

For now, Rimes is looking forward to the thrills of live television and introducing viewers to the next generation of country stars.

"There's no better place to start out as an artist than Nashville," she says. "It's one of the hardest places to start out because there's so many incredible talents here. It's musicians and writers and singers and you have to really be able to set yourself apart from the crowd. That's what we're looking for this season on 'Nashville Star.'"