LeAnn Rimes will host the event for the second consecutive year. Five regional winners—Eldon Johnson, Carrie Joy, Trevor Panczak, Christy Suggett and the band Nash Street—will compete for the $100,000 grand prize and a shot at country stardom. "Hosting the show is a lot of fun," says LeAnn. "I get to know the contestants really well. We spend a good amount of time rehearsing, and I know last year I was backstage trying to calm their nerves and try to keep their mind off of everything. I've been in their shoes and I know what they're going through." Tickets to the show are free and are available by calling (615) 321-5130 or through the e-mail address, erin@countryshowdown.com. Past participants in the Colgate Country Showdown have included Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and several others. The finals of this year's event will be telecast at a later date.