Country Music Showdown competetion to make stop in Minden

The band Whiskey Revival was named the winner of the 2015 Country Music Showdown competition. This year, the show kicks off at 7 p.m. June 24 at the Minden Civic Center. Bruce Franklin/Press-Herald

Hosted by 104.5 FM KBEF, it is touted as America’s largest country music talent search and radio promotion.

This year’s showdown will be from 7 until 9:30 p.m., Friday, June 24, at the Minden Civic Center, located at 520 Broadway St.

Approximately $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded nationwide, including the grand prize package valued at $100,000 to the national winner, presented at the National Final televised special.

“We consider the Country Showdown one of the most anticipated events in country music each year,” Mark Chreene, owner of 104.5 FM KBEF, said. “It’s an exciting community event that provides aspiring artists in our area an opportunity for state, regional and national exposure while promoting a greater appreciation of country music. We’re excited to bring this event to Minden.”

Designed to find the most promising country music talent in the United States for the past 34 years, the Country Showdown gives aspiring artists a chance to launch their professional careers. Thousands of performers compete for the Country Showdown title.

Ole Whiskey Revival brought home last year’s title as winner for the local competition in Minden.

Each spring and summer, hometown talent contests, sponsored by more than 500 local radio across the country, pave the road to stardom. Local winners advance to over 40 regional contests, where the prizes include $1,000 in cash and the opportunity to receive an expense-paid trip the National Final to compete for $100,000 grand prize package and the coveted national title.

Open to vocal/instrumental performers, the Country Showdown welcomes individual acts or groups with up to seven members to compete. Acts also must not have performed on a record charted in the top 100 country format of Billboard within 18 months preceding the local competition.

A $20 entry fee is required of all acts entering the Country Showdown produced by participating country music radio stations. To ensure fairness, a uniform judging system is used on all levels of competition.

Entry forms are available at KBEF Studios, located at 410 Lakeshore Dr. in Minden, or online at www.kbef.com. For more information, contact Chreene at 318-377-1240 or [email protected].