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26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Finalists Announced LeAnn Rimes hosting the show
Submitted By Erin Burr
Dec 13, 2007
NASHVILLE , TENNESSEE (December 12, 2007) -- The Colgate Country Showdown has announced its Regional winners who advanced to compete for $100,000 in this year’s National Final. They are Nash Street, Eldon Johnson, Carrie Joy, Trevor Panczak and Christy Suggett.
Nash Street (Southeast winner) – named for the place they practiced and for it’s catchy sound – consists of Daniel Hare (bass), Hannah Melby (fiddle), Caroline Melby (mandolin) and Jason Graham (guitar). The band, has performed at the Legends of Bluegrass and Country Music Festival, Tim McGraw's “Swampstock” and at the Ozark Folk Center and has opened for Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals and Little Big Town. They recorded their second CD at Ricky Skaggs' studio in Nashville and believe their, “stage presence and ability to connect with the audience at such young ages makes them attractive to the music industry.” They will be representing WOKK Meridian, Mississippi.
Fargo , North Dakota ’s Eldon Johnson (Midwest winner) has played throughout the upper Midwest and formed True North with Jim Ed Hodge. The duo won the Colgate Country Showdown ND/SD State Final in 2003. Early success prompted the release of their debut CD, "Down The Road." Johnson's contributions include lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar and drums & percussion—as well as producing and writing 12 of the 14 songs. He continues to hone his skills and works as a Contemporary Music Coordinator at Faith Lutheran Church . At the Colgate Country Showdown National Final, Johnson will be representing KQLX Lisbon, North Dakota.
Although she grew up singing in church, Edwardsville , Illinois ’ Carrie Joy (Northeast winner) didn’t really begin performing until high school. In 2002, Joy entered the Colgate Country Showdown and earned a spot at the National Final. She holds the title of the first ever Branson Idol (now Branson Spotlight) and has appeared in numerous Branson shows including the Doug Gabriel and Roy Clark Show, KRZK Live Radio Show-Grand Country Saturday Night, and Late Night with Joey Riley. Joy will represent WTHI Terre Haute, Indiana.
Trevor Panczak (West winner) is a four-time Colgate Country Showdown Montana State Winner who grew up on a farm north of Cutbank. He has also excelled in other competitions – the Country Vocal Spotlight at the C.F.R. and the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Showdown. Panczak has been writing, singing and performing since age 14 and has opened for Dan Seals and Keith Urban. Currently he fronts the energetic five-piece band, Rough Stock. Describing his style, the “gentle giant” attempts to use, “clever lyrics and laid back humor to try to capture audiences’ hearts wherever I play my guitar.” This year he will be representing KMON Great Falls, Montana.
Christy Suggett (Southwest winner) grew up in Pearland , Texas with talented singer/songwriter parents and by fifteen recorded her first gospel album. She has traveled as a soloist/drummer and has served as in several positions at First Church of Pearland. Suggett also performed the National Anthem at Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s 14th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament (benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and the Houston Astros’ game and has entertained at various other charity events. Suggett is representing KKBQ Houston, Texas at the Colgate Country Showdown National Final.
The Country Showdown (sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive) is the Nation’s largest and longest running country music talent search. The 26th Annual National Final will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, January 24, 2008 with Grammy award winner, LeAnn Rimes, hosting the show for the second consecutive year. The televised one-hour special is syndicated nationwide by MG Perin, Inc. and will also air on the GAC (Great American Country) Network.
About the Showdown: Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in local competitions throughout the U.S. All participants are consistently judged on five core criteria: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent. Past local, state and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks , Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
About Colgate: Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Elmex, Ajax , Axion, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet pet foods. For more information about Colgate's global business, visit the Company's website at www.colgate.com.
For more information on the Colgate Country Showdown and National Finalists’ photos, visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.
