25th Anniversary Colgate Country Showdown National Final Event

WHAT: 25th Anniversary Colgate Country Showdown National Final event. The Showdown is the Nation's biggest and longest-running country music talent search.

WHEN: Thursday, January 25, 2007.

WHERE: Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

HOST: Curb Records recording artist LeAnn Rimes has been slated to host the event.

JUDGES: Judges confirmed are Fletcher Foster (Sr. VP and GM of Universal South), Brian Mansfield (USA Today Nashville Correspondent), Tracy Gershon (VP of A&R Warner Bros. Nashville) , Rod Essig (Creative Artist Agency) and Beverly Keel (The Tennessean).

CONTESTANTS: Regional winners who advanced to compete for $100,000 in this year's National Final. They are Lindsey Earl, Jill James, J Juliano with Adrienne Grove, Megan Peeler and Hailey Stout.

Lindsey Earl (Southwest winner) has won the local level Colgate Country Showdown three times. In 2004, she was crowned Miss Teen Arizona for the Kids USA Program. Earl has opened for The Wilkinsons and was asked by Arizona Governor Jane Hall to sing at a veterans' memorial ceremony. Earl's influences are Patsy Cline, LeAnn Rimes and Martina McBride. At the Colgate Country Showdown National Final, Lindsey will be representing KZUA Show Low, Arizona.

Singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Jill James (Northeast winner) has competed in the Colgate Country Showdown three times and won local titles in West Virginia and New York State. Co-writing with her husband Dave, has enabled her to share her life stories and add emotional portrayal. She has already opened shows for country acts Hot Apple Pie and Emerson Drive. James owns Curtain Call Productions, which offers singing and acting classes to children. This year she will be representing WDNY Dansville, New York.

J Juliano (Midwest winner) is a singer-songwriter from Hoover, Alabama. He has shared the stage with some of country's biggest acts including Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Toby Keith. After hearing his wife was expecting, Juliano began the "Little Nashville" kids program that showcases lessons and values blended with country music. Once "Little Nashville" went on the road, he brought along singer/actress Adrienne Grove to join forces. J Juliano with Adrienne Grove are representing WUSN Chicago, Illinois at the Colgate Country Showdown Finals.

Megan Peeler (Southeast winner) graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University where she earned her degree in Musical Therapy. Trained in classical piano, guitar, and voice, she began working as a Musical Therapist in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Continuing to fulfill her love of performing, Peeler is representing WKSK West Jefferson, North Carolina.

Hailey Stout (West winner) is a music major at Southwest Community College in Oregon. Her style captures a variety of genres including country, pop and jazz. She has performed for various sports and community events including the Clark County Fair and the official State of Oregon Memorial Service for 911 emergency workers. Hailey Stout is representing KSHR Coos Bay, Oregon in the Colgate Country Showdown National Final.


ABOUT THE SHOWDOWN: Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in the Colgate-sponsored local competitions throughout the U.S. and over $300,000 in cash prizes are awarded throughout the competition. All participants are consistently judged on five core criteria: marketability in Country Music, vocal/instrumental ability, originality of performance, stage presence/charisma and talent. The competition boasts a "who's who" in the Country Music industry with past local and regional winners including Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Montgomery Gentry.

ABOUT COLGATE: Colgate-Palmolive is the national sponsor and leading global consumer-products company tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household Surface Care, Fabric Care and Pet Nutrition. In the U.S., Colgate sells its quality products under such nationally recognized brands as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Ajax, Irish Spring, Softsoap, Murphy Oil Soap, Ultra Brite and Fab.


For more information about the 25th Annual Colgate Country Showdown, visit www.countryshowdown.com.