The competition was fierce but this beautiful singer brought home the prize!
SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – North Florida singing sensation Amber Lee Abbott has won the North Florida Texaco Country Showdown Final at the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Fla for the second year in a row!
Amber, a resident of Lee who comes from Hamilton County with close ties to Suwannee County, won the title Friday night, June 10, in the SOSMP’s Music Hall before an audience packed with friends, family and others who came to cheer on the 15 awesome aspiring country music stars.
Taking second place was Ashley Starling (Live Oak) with Highway 2B (Timmy Smith and Lauren and Bryan Wainwright – Live Oak) in third place.
Others competing were Sondra Hunt, Jr. Hernandez, Scotty Williams, Dan Addock, Whitney Law, Lauren Ogburn, Heather Dockery, State of Mind, Clay Kirk, Brittney Lawrence, Heather Dockery and Jimmy Coleman.
Amber, a red-haired beauty with a strong and beautiful voice, accompanied herself on the guitar and sang two songs, one which she wrote with her husband. She will now go on to compete Sept. 10 for the state title, $1,000 in cash and a chance to win $100,000 and claim the title of Best New Act in Country Music! Shes only three steps away from gaining the big title! A state and regional win would send her to Nashvilles Ryman Auditorium in January 2012 where the big money awaits one of five regional contestants from across the nation.
Amber was born and raised in White Springs, attends church in Suwannee County and now resides in Madison County. She is the daughter of Christopher and Angela Lee and has been singing since age two. She says she fell in love with the spotlight at age 11. Shes performed in numerous churches, entered many competitions and came in at number five in an American Idol audition in Valdosta, Ga! There’s something about when you walk on the stage and the bright lights hit you, Amber said. You take a deep breath… and suddenly you are almost a different person in another world, something inside you begins to shine! She added, I have done quite a bit of singing over the years, and there is one thing I have learned…you will win some and lose some…but in the end, no matter what …you are still doing what you love. My experience with the showdown is great every time I have competed! Amber said. I always love to come out and sing whether its for 10 people or 10,000 as long as someone in the audience is connecting with the song Im singing! She added, Thanks to everyone who came out to hear me! Your support means everything!
The North Florida contest is sponsored by radio station WQHL 98.1 along with The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. WQHLs famous radio personality Kevin Thomas is the emcee for the North Florida Texaco Country Showdown. Watch for news about the upcoming state Texaco Country Showdown set for Sept. 10.
For more information about the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, call us at 386-364-1683, email us at 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 the 311 Pow Wow, Suwannee River (gospel) Jubilee, Blackwater Music Festival, Bear Creek Music and Art Festival, July 4th Weekend Getaway 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!
Photo credit: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
