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2015 Country Showdown

Country Showdown Deadline Fast Approaching

America’s largest and longest running country talent search returns this summer for the 34th annual Country Showdown, and KHTS AM-1220, Santa Clarita’s only local station, is looking for someone to send to the showdown.


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Country Showdown Deadline Fast Approaching

Marie Wise-Hawkins

Entry forms, which are available online, must be submitted to KHTS by Wednesday, June 24.

By participating in the national competition Country Showdown, contestants are given the opportunity to win $100,000 and the title of “Best New Act in Country Music.”

In addition, artists are able to gain experience and popularity through their participation. Finalists are even given television exposure during the televised final. Last year’s final was hosted by country great and former Showdown winner, LeAnn Rimes.

Former Regional winners of the Country Showdown include Jason Aldean, Season 4 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith (as a band member of Easy Money) and Brad Paisley. Famous artists that have won the State and Regional competitions include Billy Ray Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Sara Evans.

For the fourth consecutive year, KHTS is looking for someone to send to the Country Showdown. Over the last three years KHTS’ pick has gone on to be a finalist in the competition.

In 2012, KHTS’ pick and local contestant Poor Man’s Poison won the national title and prize of $100,000. Poor Man’s Poison thrived after their national win, travelling across California for a state tour.

Related: 2015 Country Showdown And KHTS Looking For The Next Best Country Singer

The band includes members Ryan Hakker, Dustin Medeiros, Mike Jacobs and Tommy McCarthy. Before their participation in the 2012 Country Showdown, Poor Man’s Poison had been labeled “the first non labeled band to ever sell out the historic Hansford Fox Theater,” showing promise early on.

The following year, local artist and mother of two Suzanne Harper was named winner of the 2013 Western Regional competition in Oregon, going on to take second place at the national finals.

In addition to her title as 2013 Western Regional Winner, Harper has also been named the 2013 North America Country Music Associations, Int’l (NACMAI) New Country Female Entertainer of the Year and the 2013 NACMAI New Country Vocalist of the Year, performing all over the country with her band, “Talk Like June.”

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Last year Marie Wise-Hawkins also made it to the national finals, performing at the same stage at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which has featured performances by musicians like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.

Marie Wise-Hawkins described her experience at the national finals as “an incredible experience,” adding that “Patsy Cline has performed there, Johnny Cash and Carter Cash, Elvis Presley, LeAnn Rimes– all my idols.”

Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park will feature Marie Wise-Hawkins as a headliner on Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m., in addition to three finalists, who will be chosen at the preliminary competition on Saturday, June 27 at 5 p.m. at Keyboard Galleria in Santa Clarita.

The winner of the July 18 performance goes on to the State final competition at Knott’s Berry Farm on Saturday, August 8.

State-wide winners will then move on to the Western Regional finals in Oregon later this fall and the winner from the Western Regional finals will go to the National Championship at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

There are a total of 5 national finalists competing for the grand prize of $100,000 and the title of “Best New Act in Country Music.”

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Country Showdown Deadline Fast Approaching

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KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 focuses on Santa Clarita news, traffic, weather, sports, and also plays music. Bringing you SCV breaking news first and keeping you up to date with Santa Clarita events.