Suzanne Harper, the 2015 Country Showdown KHTS AM-1220 local competition winner, will be moving on to the next round of the Country Showdown.

After winning the Country Showdown California State Finals held at Knott’s Berry Farm, Harper will be heading to the Western Regional Finals in Oregon later in the fall.

Suzanne Harper performing “Redneck” at Santa Clarita Concerts in the Park on July 25.

“It was very exciting (to perform at Knott’s Berry Farm). It was fun being able to be in that atmosphere again, it’s always a great crowd,” said Harper. “The audience started cheering when we did our first song.”

Harper played two original songs at the State Finals on Saturday, “Redneck,” and “Tractors in the Fast Lane.” Harper played the same songs at Santa Clarita Concerts in the Park on July 25.

“We’re thrilled (to be going to the Western Regional Finals),” said Harper. “I’ve been there before so it’s nice to not go in blind. Hopefully we’ll be able to bring it home.”

Harper made it all the way to the Country Showdown finals at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee two years ago where she came in second place.

Along with the chance to go to the Western Regional Finals, Harper also won $1,000.

Santa Clarita Valley performer, Marie Wise-Hawkins presented Harper with the check at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Wise-Hawkins also performed at the State Finals, but not to compete. She was the Country Showdown State Finals winner in 2014 as well as a national finalist.

KHTS AM-1220 has an unprecedented track record of sending our local contestant to the finals the last three years in a row.

Poor Man’s Poison, KHTS’ 2012 contestant, won the national championship and the $100,000 prize.

Harper, who was also KHTS’ 2013 entry, came in second place at the national finals.

KHTS’ 2014 entry, Marie Wise-Hawkins, also made it to the national finals.

Wise-Hawkins will also be performing at Santa Clarita Concerts in the Park on Aug. 15.

If Harper wins at the Western Regional Finals in Oregon later in the fall, she will then go to the national championship at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

She could be one of five national finalists competing for the grand prize of $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.”

Past participants in the Country Showdown include Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, Billy Ray Cyrus, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson & hundreds more. The Country Showdown helped jumpstart their dreams.

About Suzanne Harper

Suzanne Harper competed in the Country Showdown two years ago and made it all the way to the finals at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee where she came in second place.

Harper is from San Diego and was born and raised there as well. San Diego is about two and a half hours south of Santa Clarita.

Other than the Country Showdown, Harper also performed with Sugarland in front of about 15,000 people.

Harper opened for Journey in Provo, Utah in front of approximately 50,000 people on July 4, 2015 as well.

Suzanne Harper plays guitar and sings and also has a full band which include her husband, Ross Harper who plays the banjo and the mandolin, her brother-in-law John Harper who is the drummer, her son Eric Bird who plays the electric guitar and Marsha Staub who is the bass player.

The 2015 KHTS Country Showdown local competition is sponsored by Reeves Complete Auto Service and Keyboard Galleria Music Center.