Coos, Bay, OR. -- All proceeds from the Texaco Country Showdown Wild Card June 14th Performance at Hales Performing Arts Center on the campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College will go to support the OCCI Youth Team who will represent the USA at the Culinary Olympics in Germany, October 2012!

Eight finalists advance to a special “Wildcard” event, in the 8th season of the Texaco Country Showdown. On Thursday, May 31st, judges gave the “advance” green light to Wesley Wear, Brooke Barich, Clint Guevara, Dan Covert, Brittany Bethea, defending local finalist Bryan Evanz (The Redneck Cowboy), Joseph Michael, and the singing duo “Duality”. Past contestants voted out in May will be invited back for a chance to get back into the show.

The “wildcard” event will be held on June 14th and will feature a special guest appearance by “Border Patrol”. This concert will benefit the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute’s fundraising efforts to video stream their participation in the international culinary Olympics this October. The Texaco Country Showdown is America’s largest country music talent search. Tickets are available, in advance, at the Kokwel gift shop (Mill Casino) or at the door. The show will be held at the Hale Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College.

Annually, over 450 radio stations across the country sponsor local contests. Winners advance to their state events where prizes include $1,000 and the opportunity to compete in one of five regional events. The 2012 Oregon State and Western Regional event will be held in Coos Bay. Regional winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to the televised National Final on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.