Five take first steps toward Country stardom

State finals to be held in Live Oak at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Nov. 1

Five country music star hopefuls were named May 9 in the first of four WQHL 98.1 sponsored 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown contests at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. All five winners will compete June 20 in the local finals along with 15 other finalists for a chance to go on to the state finals.

Winners at the first of four initial local contests leading up to the June 20 local finals were Amy Maree of Jacksonville, Fla.; Melvin Morrison of Valdosta, Ga.; Angel Mucienko of Lake City, Fla.; Breanna Paulus of Lake City, Fla. and Billy Drifter of Madison, Fla. Both Melvin Morrison and Billy Drifter sang original songs they wrote.

The winner of the June 20 showdown will compete along with other statewide local winners in the state finals Nov. 1. All the local events and the state final will be held at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. This is the first year the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park has been chosen to host the state finals, according to Spirit of the Suwannee CEO/President James Cornett.

What Is The Country Showdown?

The 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown is designed to find the most promising country music talent in America and to give these performers a chance to launch their professional music careers.

The Colgate Country Showdown begins each Spring with over 450 local talent contests sponsored by country music radio stations throughout the US. Winners advance to their respective State competitions held at leading fairs and expositions. Acts then compete for a $1,000 prize, the State Title and the opportunity to advance to one of five Regional Finals. It’s the last step before the prestigious National Final, which is televised to a national audience from country music’s most exciting venues, like the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House, the Grand Palace Theatre in Branson, the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Epcot Center at Walt DisneyWorld, and Universal Studio Florida. Audiences from coast-to-coast cheer on the Regional Winners, as they compete for the Grand Prize of $100,000 and the National Title.