Joseph Baldwin selected as 2013 Winner of Texaco Country Showdown held at the Roxy
One of three local country music talent contests being held across the state of Alabama was held at the historic Roxy Theatre as contestants vied for a chance to advance to the state competition and ultimately to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for the national country music showdown! Contestants from across the state and even from Nashville and Tampa, Florida, gathered together Thursday, August 15, with several hundred Roxy guests for the first leg of the competition. The Texaco Country Showdown is the nation's largest and longest-running country music talent searches. It is a four-level competition beginning at the local level and proceeding to state, regional, and then national.
The local show held at the Roxy featured fourteen contestants singing two songs each as they tried to convince judges that they had that special star quality to reach the Grand Ole Opry Finals in Nashville, Tennessee. The local-level competitions were held across the state and coordinated by radio stations WKGA in Alexander City, WKUL in Cullman, and WGOL in Russellville and sponsored by The Cox Dental Group. The Roxy Theatre was proud to be the site of one of these competitions. This national competition is open to vocal and/or instrumental performers, individuals, or groups of up to seven members who have not performed on a record listed in the national record charts of Billboard within eighteen months preceding local competition.
The state finals will be held September 21 at the Cullman State Fair with the winner receiving a $1,000.00 prize and advancement to the regional level. The national finals will be televised and the grand prize is $100,000.00 and the title "Best New Act in Country Music." Visit TexacoCountryShowdown.com for more information.
Joseph Baldwin from Vina in Franklin County was selected as the winner of the competition held at the Roxy. He was presented with a gift basket filled with certificates and prizes from local Russellville businesses and earned the right to compete in the state finals.
The competition was coordinated by John Pilati and local radio station WGOL. Gary Cummings made the announcements, and Bart Moss was the emcee for the night's competition. Each audience member was given a ballot to choose an "Audience Choice" winner. Franklin County resident Jacob Green was selected by the audience as their favorite. He was also presented with a gift basket of certificates and prizes from local merchants.
The local show held at the Roxy featured fourteen contestants singing two songs each as they tried to convince judges that they had that special star quality to reach the Grand Ole Opry Finals in Nashville, Tennessee. The local-level competitions were held across the state and coordinated by radio stations WKGA in Alexander City, WKUL in Cullman, and WGOL in Russellville and sponsored by The Cox Dental Group. The Roxy Theatre was proud to be the site of one of these competitions. This national competition is open to vocal and/or instrumental performers, individuals, or groups of up to seven members who have not performed on a record listed in the national record charts of Billboard within eighteen months preceding local competition.
The state finals will be held September 21 at the Cullman State Fair with the winner receiving a $1,000.00 prize and advancement to the regional level. The national finals will be televised and the grand prize is $100,000.00 and the title "Best New Act in Country Music." Visit TexacoCountryShowdown.com for more information.
Joseph Baldwin from Vina in Franklin County was selected as the winner of the competition held at the Roxy. He was presented with a gift basket filled with certificates and prizes from local Russellville businesses and earned the right to compete in the state finals.
The competition was coordinated by John Pilati and local radio station WGOL. Gary Cummings made the announcements, and Bart Moss was the emcee for the night's competition. Each audience member was given a ballot to choose an "Audience Choice" winner. Franklin County resident Jacob Green was selected by the audience as their favorite. He was also presented with a gift basket of certificates and prizes from local merchants.
2013 Texaco Showdown Winner Joseph Baldwin
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Contestants Kelly Hammett and Ashley Cummins from Russellville
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Contestant Cody Bowen from Russellville
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Argie Darnell traveled from Ashland, AL, to compete.
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Contestant Chris Heaps from Russellville
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Contestant Blaze Bishop from Russellville
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Contestant Dana Hill from Belgreen, AL
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James Marvell, formerly of the 60s band Mercy and later of The Country Cavaliers, traveled from Tampa, FL, to compete.
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Contestant John St. Pierre, II of Alabaster, AL.
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Twelve-year-old Summerlyn Powers traveled from Fairhope, AL, to compete.
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Contestant Natasha Neely traveled from Nashville, TN, to compete.
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Belgreen native Jacob Green receives the honor of being selected the Audience Choice Winner.