Meet the 2016 Country Showdown Contestants

Once upon a time, deez two guys from Loreauville started getting together in da back shed, you. Dey called demselves Two in the Chamber because da tird guy never showed up. Uttawise, dey'd be Tree in the Chamber. Well anyway, dey like to play dat old country music, you know, like dat Merle and dat Conway. Dat beer drinkin music dat makes ya leg shake till you boots start stompin'. So da two fools found dem two stools and some beer and alotta franship and started playing some chunes.  One of dem, Shad (Chad) Breaux, picks dat git-tar like his hands on fire and duh udder one, Mike Ackal sings so pretty like a bird, it makes momma's heart cry. 'Vantually, den somebody toll 'em dey gotta get out dat shed. I tink dey was just trowing dem off da property but deez two couillions went get dem some steppin' out clothes and now dem old boys play all around sout Louisiana.You can find dem on dare Facebook @ 2 in the Chamber or in da phonebook or da backyard drinking some milla lites. Oh and don't google dat "two in the chamber" on dat computa. Pooyie! C'est pas bon cher!

Luke is an 18-year-old recent graduate of Beau Chene High School. He was voted most spirited of his senior class because of his enthusiasm and outgoing personality. Luke is an avid deer hunter and sports fan. He played football, ran cross country and was on the powerlifting team in high school. Luke began singing in children’s choir in kindergarten while attending Our Mother of Peace Elementary School. Luke’s love for music grew as he did.  While in High School he often sang around campfires with friends for fun. Luke had the amazing opportunity to sing at the FFA State Convention in Monroe, Louisiana in 2014.  Luke faces all challenges with a positive attitude that can be summed up with his famous quote “It’s kinda like being in a sac-a-lait tournament, if you don’t win, at least you went fishing.”

I am 22 years old and I started singing when I was just a little girl. I discovered that I had a passion for singing. My family has been very musical and I will always remember going into my grandfather's music room and watching him play guitar and sing, smiling from ear to ear when I was just a little girl. I decided I loved singing when I was about 10 years old when I got my first Karaoke machine. I have a crazy passion for music and singing. Through hard times and great times so far in my life I have used lyrics to speak to people as well as myself. I sing non-stop, all day everyday and my friends and family always pick at me because they say as they giggle that I always have a new song for them to listen to and I will interrupt a conversation because my favorite song came on and I just have to sing it. I just truly find so much joy in sharing my voice with others and no matter where my life takes me I know I will forever have a love for singing and find lyrics in a song not only can be so much fun but can also be used to truly reach out to people in so many ways.

A native of Broussard, April has been singing since she was 7 years old.  This 24-year-old worship leader has since made Duson her home and has sang at various venues from local dive bars and restaurants to cancer relays and has even performed in the Pee Wee Whitewing Showcase at the Crowley Rice Theater.  As passionate as she is about Country music, on Sunday mornings she uses her amazing voice to lift high the name of the Lord who has given her such talent.  When she isn't singing or leading worship, she works as a medical assistant and is a mother to three beautiful daughters and a son, whose home is now in heaven.

Born in New Iberia, LA and raised in Patasa, a rural area of Eunice, Josh has began playing guitar at the age of 15.  A few years later he began writing and singing. His first experience playing in front of anyone came when he was 17 when he was a member of the worship team at his church. Almost simultaneously, he began playing the accordion and singing publicly at jam sessions and the like. It wasn't until his early 20s that he began to sing more country music, covering songs by his heroes such as Merle Haggard, Clint Black, and his idol, the late Keith Whitley. His love for the old fashioned style of both genres and versatility once lead to one of his best friends calling him "The Cajun Waylon Jennings." Though he isn't too sure about the nickname, he certainly believes in real, old school country music.

I'm a singer-songwriter and I love to play me some good old country music, however, I enjoy some rock and roll every now and then. I also play music for my church every weekend and find a lot of inspiration from contemporary Christian music. I am blessed with a wonderful family that consists of my beautiful wife Laci, a loving four-year-old daughter Ava and Kevin III who is one year old and loves music just as much as his dad. Glad to be a part of the Showdown for a third year and have high hopes. Good luck to everyone. Thanks to all my family and friends who support me, especially my mother and the posse she puts together every year.

Halee Saintes (pronounced like "Saints") is 22 years old and was born & raised in New Iberia, Louisiana. Her love for country music started from wearing out a Shania Twain CD at 3 years old. She now dreams of following the footsteps of women like Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, & Kelsea Ballerini, who did, and still are paving the way for her to mave her move to Nashville, Tennessee very soon to become a county artist. She believes that singing is what she was born to do, and is very excited to share that gift with y'all at the Country Showdown!

My influences range widely from classic country, southern rock, Motown, metal, modern country, funk/blues. My dreams are to become a successful songwriter and performer! Lost both of my parents before I turned 21. My dad at 15 to a heart attack and my mom at 21 to lung cancer. So I'm going to give my dream my bet shot like I knew they wanted me to.

Bio & pic not submitted.

Bethany Leger is a 28 year old from Crowley, La. She has had an incredible love of music for as long as she can remember. This is her second attempt at the Country Showdown and she is looking forward to a great experience.