Colgate Country Showdown Winner

18-year-old singer-songwriter, Michelle Rene, from Phoenix has been named the new grand prize winner. This contest that helped launch the careers of past winner's, such as, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Sara Evans, & Billy Ray Cyrus. The 24th annual Showdown recently took place at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. A 1-hour special featuring musical performances by Montgomery Gentry is airing this month & next on TV stations throughout the U-S. Rene won $100,000 & a recording contract from Nashville’s Midas Records. Her debut single is "Kick it Up a Notch."