LeAnn Rimes on the red carpet at the 2006 CMA Awards
Photo by Neil Haislop
December 21, 2006 — LeAnn Rimes will host the 25th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Final on January 25, 2007, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The Showdown is the nation's biggest and longest running country music talent search.
Dean Unkefer, president of Special Promotions, Inc., and producer of the Showdown says, "We are honored to have LeAnn Rimes host our 25th Annual Colgate Country Showdown. She joins other great stars — such as Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson and Sara Evans — in recognizing hundreds of radio stations and talented aspiring artists throughout the United States that make this program possible."
Five finalists from the Colgate Country Showdown will compete for the grand prize of $100,000 at the National Final hosted by Rimes. The televised one-hour special is syndicated nationwide and will also air on GAC.
Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in the Colgate-sponsored local competitions throughout the U.S. and more than $300,000 in cash prizes are awarded throughout the competition. All participants are judged on five core criteria: marketability, vocal/instrumental ability, originality of performance, stage presence/charisma and talent. Past local and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Montgomery Gentry.