The 28th annual Colgate Country Showdown, America’s largest country music talent search,  will be held at 8 p.m. Sept. 9.

Contestants at this year’s Colgate Country Showdown Illinois State Final represent radio stations throughout the state.

Each year, more than 450 radio stations across the country sponsor local contests. Winners advance to state events, where prizes include $1,000 and the opportunity to compete in one of five regional events. Regional winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the televised national final hosted by LeAnn Rimes on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., to compete for $100,000 and the coveted title of Best New Act in Country Music.

Past local, state and regional winners include Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Neal McCoy, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley and Billy Ray Cyrus.

For more information, visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

{source – Meg}