(Nashville, Tennessee - November 14, 2006) -- Dean Unkefer, President of Special Promotions, Inc. and producer of the Colgate Country Showdown has announced that this year's National Final event will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.  This year marks the 25th anniversary.  The Showdown is the Nation's biggest and longest-running country music talent search.

Unkefer commented, "The Showdown differs from reality shows like American Idol and Nashville Star who audition entertainers to take parts in a television series. Radio stations, fans and the music industry throughout the country produce and support the Showdown to find the very best new artist to represent them."

Each year the competition begins in the spring with more than 450 country radio stations producing more than 500 live shows to find the best new talent in their market.  These winners then compete at the state and five regional competitions throughout the summer and fall.  The five finalists compete for the grand prize of $100,000 at the National Final.  The televised one-hour special is syndicated nationwide and last year also aired on the GAC (Great American Country) Network. 

Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in the Colgate-sponsored local competitions throughout the U.S. and over $300,000 in cash prizes are awarded throughout the competition.  All participants are consistently judged on five core criteria: marketability in Country Music, vocal/instrumental ability, originality of performance, stage presence/charisma and talent.  The competition boasts a "who's who" in the Country Music industry with past local and regional winners including Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Montgomery Gentry.  

Colgate-Palmolive is the national sponsor and leading global consumer-products company tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household Surface Care, Fabirc Care and Pet Nutrition.  In the U.S., Colgate sells its quality products under such nationally recognized brands as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Ajax, Irish Spring, Softsoap, Murphy Oil Soap, Ultra Brite and Fab.

The five National Finalists and National host will be announced in upcoming weeks.  For more information on the Colgate Country Showdown visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.