Get to Know This Year’s Texaco Country Showdown’s Contestants

Clay is currently attending Beau Chene High School as a senior this year. He is the quarterback for the football team and plays right field for the baseball team. Clay got his first guitar when he was eight years old, and has been playing and singing ever since. He is fortunate to have a supportive family who has always believed in his dreams and goals. Clay has always dreamed of performing his own music in front of an audience.

She has been dancing eight years and singing since she was five years old. Holly loves performing and making people dance and enjoy her music.

James and his band started playing clubs, festivals and concerts in South Louisiana and Texas in the 80's. He has performed in concert with several talented musicians such as George Jones, Vern Gosdin, Eddie Rabbitt, Freddy Hart, and many more. He's been chosen twice to perform on the Nashville Television Network. James looks forward to being a part of the Texaco Country Showdown.

She had her first live performance on stage at the age of five. She then knew she wanted tobecome a singer/entertainer. Nikki has performed at festivals, fairs, parties, bar gigs, benefits, weddings, and singing competitions in and out of the state. She attended NSU majoring in vocal music education. Nikki is now taking a break to pursue her singing career further. She is learning guitar, piano, and writing her original music. Nikki is a down to earth Louisiana girl with big dreams.

Arianna enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and traveling. She is currently studying at LSUE, majoring in radiology. She comes from a large, musically inclined family, where music has been her passion since she was three years old.

Cortni loves to sing and has been singing for the last five years.

Bryant and has written and performed everything from Bluegrass to Alternative Rock. Bryant enjoys playing the guitar and the mandolin. Creating a song and bringing it to life on stage is his passion

Abby has been singing since she was two years old: morning, night and between bites. She took voice lessons at the age of 10 and won awards with Louisiana Kids. She is a current member in her High School Music Ministry Group. She competed in American Idol in New Orleans.

J'Leigh is a senior at South Lafourche High School. She feels music makes the world go round and she hopes that she can bring a smile to anyone's face and a warmth to anyone's heart. J'Leigh believes that "music can heal the soul."

Courtney has been performing with country bands since she was 9 years old. She has performed at festivals, events and theaters in LA, Texas, and Branson, Missouri. She has definitely achieved many goals: recorded two cd's with her band; she's been in a commercial and a movie; she has been a cover model and studied vocals, songwriting, keyboards and dancing.