BULL'S
INFORMATION
UPDATE
Thursday, November 20, 2008
JOHNNY BULFORD WINS
COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN SOUTHEAST REGIONAL
Nashville, Tennessee (November 18, 2008) – Johnny Bulford, the Florida State Winner, from Orlando, Florida walked away with the Southeast Regional title as well as an all-expense paid trip to the National Final of the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown in Nashville, Tennessee on January 15, 2009. The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee hosted event and showcased seven other acts, who won their local and state competitions. They were Brittany Conine (KNAS Nashville, AR); Charles Leo Brady (KLAA Pineville, LA); Cliff Hudson featuring Rick Martin (KWHF Jonesboro, AR); Johnny Bulford (WWKA Orlando, FL); Tyler James (WCJM West Point, Georgia); Pistol (WKDF Nashville, TN); Samantha Landrum (WBBN Laurel, MS) and Sara Dew (WNBR New Bern, NC).
Serving as judges were Randy Brown (Boreman Entertainment), hit songwriter Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart” and “Forever Love”), Jensen Sussman (Sony Music/Columbia Nashville), David Ross (Music Row Communications).
Before advancing,
Johnny won his local competition sponsored by radio station WWKA of Orlando,
Florida. He is a singer/songwriter whose music has depth well beyond his years,
is capturing audiences in the pop and country scenes. His style of music has
been compared to the likes of Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and James Taylor. At
age 23, Johnny's earnest and likeable personality, natural talent and passion
for music has enabled him to open for Collin Raye, the Warren Brothers, Josh
Turner, Trick Pony, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence,
Tanya Tucker and Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night. Johnny performed
with Charlie Craig, Marty Brown and The Wilkinsons at a writers show this year
for Fan Fair in Nashville.
This isn’t his first time competing as he was a Florida State finalist in the
2003 Colgate Country Showdown won the state title in the 2004. His other accolades
include the 2004 Award for Best New Performance Artist/Writer (New Country)
for the Southeastern United States Region given by the IMAA and was recently
featured on a one-hour morning radio program with Dottie Wynn. Johnny worked
closely with Charlie Craig and Robert Arthur on his CD What Happens Here Stays
Here and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. He performs in Orlando with a five-piece
band at various festivals including the Florida Music Festival. For music, photos,
performance dates and more, visit www.johnnybulford.com or www.myspace.com/johnbulford.
He won Sunday’s competition, with two original pieces to further display his
talents as a musician – “How Could I Not” and “What Happens Here Stays Here.”
As one of the five regional winners from across the country Johnny will compete for $100,000 and the coveted National Title of Best New Act in Country Music at the world-famous Ryman Auditorium. The National Final will air nationwide, over syndicated television in March and April.
About the Showdown: Each spring, more than 50,000 artists compete in the Colgate-sponsored local competitions with 450 radio stations throughout the U.S. and over $300,000 in cash prizes are awarded throughout 500+ live competitions. Local winners then compete at the 48 state and five regional competitions throughout the summer and fall. The Colgate Country Showdown culminates with a national television final competition as the regional winners vie for $100,000 and the title of Best New Act in Country Music. The televised one-hour special has been hosted in the past by country music superstars such as Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, etc. 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 Miranda Lambert. For more information about the Colgate Country Showdown, visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.
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.