Published: November 06, 2008 05:26 pm      

Showdown at Spirit

Johnny Bulford will now compete for chance to win $100,000

state finals



Johnny Bulford of Orlando was number eight among nine contestants competing to win the Colgate Country Showdown State Finals Saturday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The competition was tough as the best of the best was ready and all contestants came determined to win. But when the judges had tallied their scorecards, Bulford, 23, was the overall winner with a $1,000 check to boot.

Bulford will next compete at a regional Colgate Country Showdown in Nashville Nov. 16 for the chance to compete in the January 2009 Colgate Showdown national finals. The winner of that event will receive $100,000 and be named the 2008 Best New Country Artist in America.

"This is what I love and want to do," Bulford said Saturday.

Bulford began writing songs at age 14. By 21, he had opened for headliners such as Collin Raye, the Warren Brothers, Josh Turner, Trick Pony, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence, Tanya Tucker and Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night.

Live Oak radio station WQHL98.1 (www.wqhl981.com) morning show host Kevin Thomas was the emcee for the 28th Annual Colgate Country Showdown Florida State Finals. Kickin' Creations brought the Colt Ford Show to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and the showdown in conjunction with the SOSMP and the Colgate Country Showdown.