Local artists are singing to the tune of $100,000 as they compete for stardom.
Each year over 50,000 singers nationwide compete for the grand prize of $100,000 and the national title as an up-and-coming country music star in the Texaco Country Showdown.
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According to the Texaco Country Showdown website, past local, state and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara Evans.
One out of 50,000 may sound like a long shot, but the showdown also offers a $1,000 reward to state winners. Utah’s winner last year was Carlie Wall, a 14-year-old. She co-produces her music and has written more than 25 original songs.
“I just think of something that could be going on in someone else’s life and write about it,” Wall said on her website. “I think in some way all the songs relate to me even if it doesn’t seem like they do.”
This year, Ruth Turnbow, a senior studying social science teaching, spontaneously decided to audition. She quickly recorded a song on her computer and sent it in. Her love for country music is one of the things that prompted her to try out.
“When I was younger, I vividly remember being made fun of when I told someone I didn’t know who the Backstreet Boys were,” Turnbow said. “I didn’t even know there was anything good but people like Reba, George Straight, Garth Brooks. It’s still the kind of music I’d prefer to listen to above all else. It’s in the storytelling and poetry that the magic of music comes for me. That’s what country does best.”
Although Turnbow does not have a professionally recorded song like many of the contestants and is not sure how the competition will go for her, she signed up for the challenge.
“The thought of it scared me,” Turnbow said. “I love doing scary things; it’s all about overcoming the challenge for life in general, not only for music. Go all out. Remember who you are and give everything you do your best.”
The local Salt Lake competition, sponsored by radio station 101.5 The Eagle, is currently under way. The public is encouraged to vote for favorite artists at 1015theeagle.com until July 26. On July 30, the top 10 will meet for a live competition, said Jon Watkins, host at The Eagle.
“We’ve been a part of the Texaco Country Showdown for over seven years,” Watkins said. “Support of local artists is important to 101.5 The Eagle, and it’s up to you to log on, vote, and make sure we have a great Utah representative in Nationals.”
