27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown Finalists Announced

Korey Blake, Johnny Bulford, Lance Lipinsky, LiveWire and Matt Reeves have been announced as the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown Finalists. The finalists will compete for $100,000 in the nation’s largest and longest running Country Music talent search, with the grand finale taking place at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.  LeAnn Rimes will host the televised one-hour special for the third consecutive year.    The participants are judged on five core criteria: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent.   Korey Blake, winner of the Northeast region, began playing guitar when he was 7 years old and transitioned from bluegrass to contemporary Country. The high school senior’s major influences include George Strait, Alan Jackson and Keith Whitley.  Johnny Bulford, winner of the Southeast region, was a state finalist in the 2003 Colgate Country Showdown and won the state title in 2004. The 23-year-old has opened for Collin Raye, the Warren Brothers, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio and Tanya Tucker.  Lance Lipinsky, winner of the Southwest region, plays guitar and piano in his band composed of high school buddies Nat Thompson (drums), Aaron Covington (stand up bass) and Adam Reynolds (lead guitar). The band, which hails from Texas, is known for its version of 1950s Country and rockabilly.  LiveWire, winner of the Midwest region, consists of Robbie Helms (bass guitar/vocals), Adam Hagerman (drums), Cory Shultz (fiddle/vocals), Andy Eutsler (laed vocals/guitar) and Bobby Degonia (lead guitar/vocals). The band started up in 1995 and has shared the stage with Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith and Dierks Bently.  Matt Reeves, winner of the West region, is influenced by his dad, Jack Reeves, Ray Willis and Clarence White. The 18-year-old singer/songwriter has his own recording studio where he produces his own works, as well as the works of others.