September 08, 2006
Friday

Ketchikan, Alaska - This year the Colgate Country Showdown, America's largest country music talent search, is coming to Ketchikan. The event will be held at the VFW on September 23rd. Each year thousands of contestants of all ages take the stage to demonstrate their talent, and in many cases perform their own original music. The Showdown is not a reality series or a show audition; it is a true talent contest. Winners are chosen by music industry professionals using a uniform judging criteria on all levels. Over 400 shows are produced annually at fairs, theme parks, casinos and clubs throughout the United States. Over $300,000 in cash prizes are awarded to contestants, including the Grand Prize of $100,000. If you have musical talent this year's 25th Anniversary Colgate Country Showdown is the place to start.

The Colgate Country Showdown has become a tradition for scores of towns and cities across America. Over 450 local radio stations are chosen to host the Showdowns every year creating a genuine source of community pride as fans eagerly anticipate their annual Colgate Country Showdown. This year Ketchikan's own Gateway Country will have the honor of being Alaska s exclusive hosting station. Built on the concept of wholesome family entertainment, event producers take pride in a yearly event that pays tribute to their hometown talent and each year over 50,000 artists sign up. As a testament to this fact, virtually every major country music entertainer of the past twenty years has participated in the Showdown. They may not have won the Grand Prize, but it was often the first time they experienced the thrill of performing before a live audience.

It is a 25-year tradition and we take great pride in the fact that it has become the starting point for virtually all-new major country acts. Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, John Michael Montgomery, Toby Keith and Billy Ray Cyrus are some of the contestants that got their big break through the Showdown. Over two million people attend Showdown events each year at fairs, amusement parks, clubs, etc., which showcase thousands of local artists who compete at over 450+ shows throughout the country. From local to state to regional, the competition narrows to Five Regional acts who will compete at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee in the National Televised Final for a Grand Prize of $100,000.

When asked about the Colgate Country Showdown, Gateway Country General Manager Blake Messer said, "It is a privilege for Gateway Country to have the honor of hosting this prestigious event."

Interested contestants can pick up entry forms in Ketchikan at South Tongass Service, Downtown Drug Store, KIC Tribal Clinic, More Than Carpets and Tatsuda's IGA, or prospective contestants can download the entry form at www.gateway1067.com .

Gateway Country Program Director Jamie Beldo, the Emcee of the Ketchikan Colgate Country Showdown, said that she hoped for a great turn out of talent from across Southeast. Beldo said that she had spoken with performers on Prince of Whales, in Wrangell, Ketchikan, Juneau and Anchorage about showcasing their talent. Beldo went on to say that "This is such an exciting opportunity for us. Everyone has watched these events on television in the past and dreamed of being the person on that stage, but yet it seemed so far from grasp. The Colgate Country Showdown is bringing that stage to Ketchikan. Think of how exciting it would be to have our local winner be the one on television, the one on that stage when the balloons fall in Nashville."
Michelle Rene, the 2005 national winner, received $100,000 from the COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN during the 24th Annual event.

For more details on the Colgate Country Showdown in Ketchikan, contact event coordinator Mary Biggerstaff of KTKN/Gateway Country at (907) 225-2193. Or e-mail marybiggerstaff[at]gci.net .

On the Web:

KTKN
http://www.ktkn.com/

 

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