The largest ever Southeast Region Colgate Country Showdown was held on Saturday night, June 28th, at the R. E. Lee Auditorium, with 27 contestants competing for one of three coveted titles.

Contestants from Upson County included: Ashley Coggins, Christy Williams, Colt Single Action (Band), Claire Shaver, Hannah Gonzalez, Crystal Drive (Band), Heather Williamson, Janie Boyt, Marissa Hutchins (Band), Levi Austin (Band), Michelle Smith, Ronnie Portwood, Jr., and Stella Jones.

Other contestants came from Williamson, Barnesville, Fayetteville, Dacula, Molena, Dahlonega, Jackson, Griffin, Augusta, Hampton, Fort Valley, and Acworth. Alabama was represented, as well, with a soloist from Notasulga and a band from Roanoke.

In the end, Mandy Best from Fort Valley received the Winner’s trophy and a guitar donated by Wal-Mart. She will also move into the next round of competition, to be held in Gwinnett County at Wild Bill’s in October. Mandie Williamson from Notasulga, AL, was first runner up. The Tim Dugger Dirt Road Band from Roanoke, AL, was second runner up.

The winner received a trophy from Ultimate Sports; 1st and 2nd runner up trophies were provided by 88.9 The Rock The top three contestants also received a certificate for a meal at the Ponderosa Steak House, courtesy of Don Hardison, one of the judges for the Showdown.

As Mistress of Ceremonies, Sylvia Winters, said during her opening remarks, "Almost every one of these contestants could win this competition." Because of such talented contestants, the judges deliberated a long time (30 minutes or more) before returning to the auditorium with what everyone thought was their final decision. But they had returned only to ask the Crystal Drive Band of Thomaston/Fayetteville and the Tim Dugger (Dirt Road Band) to return to the stage and perform another number in order for judges to have a second look at them before deciding which one would win one of the titles.

Finally, around 11 p.m., the folders containing the judges’ decisions were handed to Winters. After all the contestants gathered on stage and led the audience in singing "God Bless the USA," Winters announced the top three after complementing all the contestants once again for their excellent performances and encouraging them to keep on pursing their interest in music. "Remember, quitters never win, and winners never quit!"

Sponsors for the Colgate Country Showdown were Northside Superette, Thomaston Prescription Shop, Dr. Michael Allen, Dudley’s Body Shop, and Patriot Motors, as well as the Colgate Corporation. Other local businesses also donated items for the show: Wal-Mart, Savi Graphics, Ultimate Sports, and Creative Signs.

Upson began hosting the Local Colgate Country Showdown six or seven years ago when Sylvia Winters got involved, and was then asked, five years ago, to host the Southeast Region Colgate Country Showdown. She has continued, as co-host Bill Chapman pointed out, "to do 90% of the work." Winters is a recording artist, who has toured Europe and Australia, been inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, and been chosen as Georgia Sweetheart. She was nominated for Female Vocalist of the year and songwriter of the year in the early 90’s.

In 2003, she and a male singer from Oklahoma won Duet of the Year. Winters is proud of the fact that the previous two winners of the Showdown held in Upson have gone on to win $100,000 at the Nashville level as the "Best New Act in Country Music." Hopefully, this year’s winner will make it three in a row!

The competition at all levels is tough. Contestants are judged on stage presence, instrumental and/or vocal abilities, marketability, originality, and charisma. Those who write their own songs or music receive three additional points to their final score.

Since there is no age limit set for the contestants, 11-year-old Kayla Leigh Armstrong of Dahlonega participated and drew thunderous applause from those in the packed R. E. Lee Auditorium. She has been invited to sing the National Anthem at an Atlanta Braves game in September.

According to Winters, many of this year’s contestants have also done well in other competitions, making the Showdown held in Upson a tough one,

Indeed.