Meet Your 2014 Country Showdown Finalists

My name is Kevin Simon Jr and I am glad to be able to be part of the Country Showdown 2014. I am a 23 year old singer/songwriter from Youngsville, LA. Growing up I was always highly interested in music. It was not until about the age of 15, that I really took it to the next level. At about that age I learned guitar and began singing and found out it was one of the greatest feelings on earth. Since then I have not put the guitar down. I am mostly influenced by country music and some of my favorite artist would have to be Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Lee Brice and Craig Morgan. I also however love some good rock and roll every now and then.

Jessie LaRae is a female country/country rock singer and songwriter from Delhi, Louisiana. Jessie started singing in church at the age of three. She began singing country music with the Gene King Band when she was in her early teens. She has branched out to the ARK-LA-TEX area and to Nashville every chance she gets. She is currently working on her third CD. Some songs come to her very quickly and others may take months to finish. Music is a big part of who she is. She is always singing or writing a song.

My name is Jacob Griffin and I am a 24 year old from Ponchatoula, La. My passion lives at the heart of country music and. At the age of 20, I started picking up gigs at restaurants, bars and private parties. In the midst of my college life, I met a young man by the name of Byron Daniel (age 19) who shreds a guitar like Duane Allman did in the late 60’s.This set the tempo for the band to be as I contacted a High school friend of mine that played the Drums. Adam Hughes (age 25) was born and raised in Ponchatoula, La. and loves nothing more than to be on a stage watching music lovers flood the dance floor as we put on a show. Steve Bankston (age 31), a resident of Hammond, La. plays the bass guitar to completely fill the sound of the band which we refer to as “The J-Griff Band”. Playing all over the state of Louisiana, We hope to create a reputation that carries us into a career where we can share our talents with the rest of the world.

Kourtney Pitre is a 24-year-old singer from Youngsville, LA; however, her roots are in Houma, LA.  She has been a performer since the age of 3, dancing and singing for over 21 years. Since the age of 12, Kourtney has enjoyed singing with local bands, has recorded at multiple studios throughout Louisiana, including the legendary Dockside Studio, in Maurice, Louisiana, and has performed in many local arenas. This is her first attempt at the Country Showdown, and she is looking forward to a great experience and meeting new people.

Vocalist Summer Sims is a native Louisianan who has an extraordinary love of music. Summer has sung at different events throughout Louisiana. She is a fan of such diverse artist as George Strait, Judy Garland, and Aaron Neville. Summer's love for the different genres of music has given her a unique singing style.

Halee Saintes is a small town southern girl born and raised in the Tabasco hot sauce capital of the world, New Iberia, Louisiana. She is 20 years old and her love for country music inspired her to compete in our country showdown. She hopes to achieve her biggest dream of being a country star along with making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. She gained her passion for singing starting out at her elementary choir along moving to music club in middle school, and joining as a leader in her church band. It was then that she discovered singing was what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Halee grew up listening to artists like Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, and Dolly Parton, along with others such as Martina McBride and Sara Evans. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her favorite, Miranda Lambert. After preparing over time, she is ready to pour her heart and soul into a country career.

Cayden is originally from Lafayette but moved to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee at a very young age. This is where his love for country music originated. He lived in Tennessee for nearly twelve years until he and his family moved to Houston to be closer to family. The 19 year old currently attends Louisiana State University where singing and songwriting occupy most of his free time. He acquires his musical talents from his dad, as well as his grandfather, Curzy "Porkchop" Roy, who was a drummer his entire life and is featured in the Cajun Music Hall of Fame.

My name is Bethany Leger. I am 26 years old. I have been married for almost 3 years now. We have a beautiful 4 year old daughter together. I have been singing for as long as I can remember and I have always dreamed of performing on stage. I never had the nerve to do so. That is, until now.

Hi I'm Jessica Bell from Lafayette, LA. I am the 20 year old daughter of Bryan & Rainnie Bell. I attend McNeese State University & Major in Elementary Education. I love People, Fashion & I have been involved in some modeling, but my passion is Singing & Rodeoing. I've spent the last 8 years rodeoing and love being on the road & meeting new people. Since I was a little girl I have loved music & lived singing. God has blessed me with a gift & now I'm taking a leap of Faith to share it with everyone!

My name is Angela Walker. I'm from Vidalia, Louisiana. I'm a 35 year old single mother of an 11 year old son. Everything I do is for him. I have no singing experiences or lessons. I'm just a simple country girl with a deep passion for country music. I grew up listening to my grandma playing her guitar and singing in her band. I loved it ever sense. I'm a hard worker and don't give up on anything I fully believe in. We are in control of our own destiny.