Amanda Riffe Wins Texaco Country Showdown

Our full image gallery from the 'Showdown is located here

A returning contestant won Friday night's Texaco Country Showdown.

Amanda Riffe of Rockville, Indiana won the competition held at the Effingham Performance Center and sponsored by KJ Country 102.3 and Consolidated Communications.

The voting was as close as could be remembered, as the field of performers was solid from top to bottom.

Other contestants for the 2013 Texaco Country Showdown include (as pictured below from left to right): Kassie Stanfield, Mike Mayhaus, Sr, Mike Mayhaus, Jr, Dakota Esker, Amanda Riffe (winner) Cheyenne Goss, Lee Ann Bussman, Eddie Ward, Hillary Beard, Allison Keck and Randi Bushue. Full contestant bios and music are located here.
 

Amanda will next compete at the Illinois State Texaco Country Showdown later this summer.  State winners vie for a $1,000 cash prize and will advance to regional competition this fall.  The five regional winners are awarded to an all-expense-paid trip to the National Final where they will compete for the $100,000 grand prize and the national title.

The proceeds from last night's admission fee will go to the S.T.A.R. program, which helps cover incidental costs for the Effingham County Drug Court Program. Drug Court Judge Ericka Sanders (pictured below) spoke to the 'Showdown crowd about the life-changing efforts of the S.T.A.R. program. Details on S.T.A.R. and their latest success can be found here.