Anticipation and excitement are higher than ever as aspiring country music artists prepare for the 34th annual Haley Auto Mall Country Showdown at the Five County Fair on Friday night at 6 p.m. WVHL “Kickin’ Country” 92.9 FM will host America’s largest country music talent search and radio promotion sponsored by Badeaux’s Cajun Kitchen, Benchmark Community Bank, Bojangles, Bug Busters, Carwile Auctions, Charlotte Collision, Crewe Tractor, The Farmville Herald, Key Wireless, Longwood Golf Course, Mottley Emporium, Pearson Equipment, Poplar Forest Apartments and T&K Homes.

This year’s Haley Auto Mall Country Showdown will take place inside the Varner Building during the Five County Fair. The Haley Auto mall will have a display of vehicles, and Kickin’ Country 92.9 FM will have a two-hour broadcast before the show. Food and beverages will be available for purchase as well as carnival rides and games.  Judges for this year’s competition will be Allen Franklin (musician/cctor), Eddie Green (musician) and Gary Hickman (musician and owner of Buffalo Creek Guitar).

Acts will compete for prizes including a $300 cash prize and the opportunity to advance to the Virginia State Finals of the 34th Annual Country Showdown. State winners vie for a $1,000 cash prize and will advance to a regional competition in the fall. The five regional winners are awarded an all expense paid trip to Nashville for the televised National Final at the Ryman Auditorium where they will compete for the $100,000 grand prize and the national title.

The Haley Auto Mall Country Showdown gives country music artists in America a chance to launch their professional careers. Audiences may be seeing, hearing, and applauding the next country star. The Haley Auto Mall Country Showdown is family friendly and open to the public with Five County Fair admittance.