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38 | APRIL 22, 2015 &
ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
A Major Platform for Local Talent
The Majestic Valley Arena Country Showdown gives new and veteran performers a shot at the big time
BY MOLLY PRIDDY
Kyle Dean and Amelia Riley Thornton.
COURTESY PHOTO
To be successful in the music world, it definitely takes talent. But get- ting audiences to recognize that talent is another factor, one that takes a special combination of luck and knowhow, and using whatever tools a musician has at hand.
For local country music upstarts, the
Majestic Valley Arena Country Show- down, presented by The Bear 106.3, of- fers a chance to show hundreds of valley residents the depth of talent living in the Flathead.
The 32nd annual Country Showdown offers local singers and songwriters the chance to work and win their way to the
big time, with local talent showcases leading to a state showdown, then the re- gional finals competition, which leads to the televised national finals.
The overall winner receives the title “Best New Act in Country Music” and $100,000.
From April 6 through April 22, online
voters can cast their clicks for the top 25 contestants from Western Montana. The top 15 acts chosen by voters will be announced on April 24, and those acts will perform at the showdown showcase onMay1and2.
Several of those acts were from the Flathead, including relative newcomers
Flathead Valley’s Premier Painting Contractors