Rimes To Host Colgate Country Showdown

LeAnn Rimes will return as host of the 29th Annual Country Showdown National Final Television Special on January 13, 2011, at the Ryman Auditorium. The country music talent search has five regional winners competing for $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.” The one-hour special will be taped for television and air in the spring.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy will also return as the Showdown Musical Director, a role he’s had for 29 years.

Sitting on the judging panel will be Brian Mansfield, music journalist for USA Today; BJ Hill, Sr. Dir. of A&R for Warner/Chappell Music; Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Sr. Dir. of A&R for Sony Music Nashville; John Ozier, Director of A&R for Curb Records; and, Rod Essig, agent from Creative Artists Agency.

Past local, state and regional winners of the Colgate Country Showdown include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Miranda Lambert.

The public is invited to the show on January 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Ryman Box Office or by calling 615-889-3060.  For more information contact your local radio station or log onto www.countryshowdown.com.