BULL'S
COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Angel Mlecki - Colgate Country Showdown - 615.321.5130 – angelmlecki@gmail.com
Carolyn Kneller – WZZS-FM (106.9 The Bull) – 863.494.4111 – Carolyn@bull.fm
27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Winner Announced
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (January 16, 2009) – Johnny Bulford, representing radio station WWKA Orlando, Florida has been named the "Best New Act in Country Music" at the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown. LeAnn Rimes returned to host the televised event, held last night at the historic Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny Bulford was presented with a $100,000 Grand Prize check. The four other finalists were Korey Blake, Lance Lipinsky, LiveWire and Matt Reeves.
Johnny Bulford (Southeast winner) is a singer/songwriter whose music has depth well beyond his years. At just 23 years old, he has opened for Collin Raye, the Warren Brothers, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio and Tanya Tucker. His style has been compared to Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and James Taylor. He was a State finalist in the 2003 Colgate Country Showdown and won the state title in the 2004. Johnny wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on his CD What Happens Here Stays Here. He performs in his hometown of Orlando with a five-piece band at various festivals. Performing, two original pieces – What Happens Here Stays Here and How Could I Not – in the competition, he displayed his songwriting talents. For photos, show dates and more, visit www.johnnybulford.com.
The finalists performed in front of a panel of industry professionals - Rod Essig (Creative Artist Agency), Fletcher Foster (Universal Records South), producer Garth Fundis, Beverly Keel (Tennessean) and Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Sony). The five contestants were judged on the following criteria: Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent. Optional bonus points could also be awarded to acts for with original music in a Songwriting category.
Many of today's top country artists have competed in the past local, state, regional and National competitions – including Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Miranda Lambert.
Each year the competition begins in the spring with more than 450 country radio stations producing live shows to find the best new talent in their market. These winners advance to state and then regional competitions throughout the summer and fall before competing at the National Final in January.
The 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Final, one-hour special- will air nationwide, over syndicated television in March and April. For local broadcast information visit the Colgate Country Showdown website at www.countryshowdown.com.
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