Local Teen Wins local Texaco Country Showdown
Brooke Lunsford of Rural Eddyville walked away the winner of the Texaco Country Showdown at the Wapello County Fairgrounds (photo submitted)
Brooke Lunsford, 17 of Rural Eddyville is the winner of the local Texaco Country Showdown on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Wapello County Fairgrounds, sponsored by radio station 98.7 KMGO. She will next compete at the State finals, date yet to be announced.
The Texaco Country Showdown is America’s largest country music talent search. Now in its 30th year, the Texaco Country Showdown is designed to find the most promising country music talent in communities all across America, and to offer these aspiring artists a platform from which to launch their professional music careers. Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in local competitions throughout the U.S, sponsored by country music radio stations throughout the US. All participants are consistently judged on five core criteria: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent. Optional bonus points can be awarded to acts with original music in the Songwriting category. Each contestant must begin by participating at the local level. Local winners advance to their respective State competitions held at leading fairs and expositions. Acts then compete for a $1,000 prize, the State Title and the opportunity to advance to one of five Regional Finals. It’s the last step before the prestigious National Final held at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The audience cheers on the Regional Winners, as they compete for the Grand Prize of $100,000 and the National Title. A uniform judging system is used at all levels of competition to help ensure fairness.
The Texaco Country Showdown is open to vocal and/or instrumental performers, individuals, and groups of up to seven members who have not performed on a record listed in the national record charts (Billboard, Radio and Records, or The Gavin Report) within the 18 months preceding the local competition. The
Past local, state and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Miranda Lambert.
