It’s finally time for the Texaco Country Showdown Florida Finals Sept. 10 at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak.
Eight of the best country singers in the state of Florida will compete for the state Showdown title, $1,000 in cash and the right to compete in one of five national regional contests, which is just one step away from the Nashville, Tennessee finals to be held in January of 2012. That final winner will receive a check for $100,000 presented by Leanne Rimes and be named Best New Act in Country Music!
Those competing will be Amber Lee Abbot of Lee representing WQHL in Live Oak (Amber is the 2010 and 2011 North Florida winner at the SOSMP); Tiffany Turner of Fairhope representing WXBM in Pace; Beth Beighey of Panama City representing WAKT in Panama City Beach; Shane Duncan of Miami representing WKIS in Miami; Emily Brooke of Wellington/Palm Beach representing WOKC in Clewiston, who was also the 2009 North Florida winner at the SOSMP; Rainer Berry of Bushnell representing WWKA in Orlando; Tom Jackson Band of Belle Glade representing WAVW/WQQL/WPHR in Port St. Lucie; and Nalani Quintello of Jacksonville representing WIYD in Palatka. Quintello also represented WIYD in 2008 when Orlando’s Johnny Bulford won the state contest at the SOSMP during the first statewide country showdown held at the SOSMP! Bulford went on to win the regional and national, taking home $100,000 in cold cash and the national title of Best New Act in Country Music!
This year’s event will be held outside. One of the most unique country bands around, the LACS, will entertain after the contest has ended and the winner has been selected.
The LACS say their brand of country is Hick Hop and Southern Rock like you‘ve never heard before! This group is going to have you out of your chair and cheering them on as you dance the night away!
The LACS are from the back roads of Baxley, Georgia, a sawmill and turpentine stills town. The group consists of Hip Hop artist Clay “Uncle Snap” Sharpe and lead vocalist / guitarist Brian “Rooster Kang” King. Their first album, “Country Boy’s Paradise,” was just released by BackRoad Records/Average Joe’s Entertainment and is on iTunes at http://bit.ly/hYa7nC. It has already created a buzz with the world’s first country rapping artist Colt Ford performing on the song “Shindig.” Also performing on the debut album is Matt Stillwell, JB and the Moonshine Band and Danny Boone of Rehab.
The statewide contest is sponsored by radio station WQHL 98.1 along with The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. WQHL’s famous radio personality “Kickin” Kevin Thomas is the emcee for the Texaco Country Showdown finals.The SOS Café and Restaurant has great food and will be open with yummy selections at regular prices as well as weekend specials. Doors to the Music Hall open at 5 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 10, for dinner with the show beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information about the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park or to book overnight or longer reservations for cabins, primitive camping or RV sites for this event or any of our upcoming events, call 386-364-1683, email spirit@musicliveshere.com or go to www.musicliveshere.com. You may also contact the SOSMP to inquire about any of the many exciting events coming up this year at the SOSMP such as Magnolia Fest, Blackwater Music Festival, Bear Creek Music and Art Festival, Raid on the Suwannee Civil War Re-enactment, Thanksgiving dinner and Old Tyme Farm Days and the opening of the Festival of Lights and much, much more!The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is located at 3076 95th Drive 4.5 miles north of Live Oak, Fl off US 129 at the famous Suwannee River. The park is 4.5 miles south of Interstate 75 and 4.5 miles north of Interstate 10 off US 129. Keep an eye out for the SOSMP sign and white painted board fence!
Comments are closed.