2004 Country Thunder

Web Based Reality Competition Comes to an End With the Public’s Favorite Three Young Gun Contestants to Perform at This Year’s Wisconsin Festival

Nashville, TN - Country Thunder USA officials have announced this year’s 2004 “Young Guns” Wisconsin competition winners. Officials were overwhelmed when votes poured in daily for over 45 new faces competing for the three coveted spots. The competition has attracted national attention and driven thousands of country fans online to vote on www.countrythunder.com to vote their favorite competitor onto the main stage at this year’s festival, held in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin at Shadow Hill Ranch July 22nd through 25th 2004. The three winners will perform on the main stage alongside headliners Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

With all the votes in, winners of the First Annual Country Thunder USA “Young Guns” Wisconsin competition are:

First Place Champion: Chris Young
Chris Young's name is easy to remember but his voice is impossible to forget. He is country to the bone, and when he eases out the first notes in that velvet baritone voice, you know you are hearing someone who has felt the pull of country music since birth. In his voice you hear influences of Marty Robbins and Trace Adkins, with Darryl Worley thrown in for good measure, but his style is as original as it gets. Country Music is not just a career choice with Chris Young, it’s his passion. “When I was told that I had won the ‘Young Guns’ competition, I was blown away. I’ve always known that I have the most amazing fans in the world, and this competition proved that point. I’m flattered and incredibly happy that I have this opportunity to showcase my music for the fans, because they’re the ones that made this opportunity possible.”

Second Place Winner: Holly Staiton
Holly is a dynamic 17 year old Country singer from the Chicago area who started performing publicly at the age of 10, and she has now ventured into a blossoming career in Country Music. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Holly moved to the Chicago area in 1990. She began her singing career by leading worship for the church youth group, and performing in various choirs and school musicals. She is currently performing with her own band, "The Holly Staiton Band", and can be found on stage in and around the Northern Illinois area. Her influences are Martina McBride, Leanne Rymes, and Faith Hill among others. Her unique musical style is a blend of blues and country.

She is currently working on 2 projects at LSI Studios in Nashville. She can be heard singing on "The Staitons: Carrying On" album, due to be released this summer, and her own solo album, which is in the works and scheduled for release next year. She enjoyed brief radio play with the release of her soulful tribute to 9/11, "There's a Canyon in Manhattan", which was released as a single last September, and is on the album, " The Staitons: Carrying On”.

Third Place Winner: One Mile South
One Mile South is comprised of members Tim Schneider, an award-winning songwriter, Daniel Palasset-Mouledous, bass player, songwriter, as well as an accomplished pianist, and Gary Bunning, an accomplished musician and songwriter in his own right whose sound combines rich harmonies and gospel soul. Due to their unique combination of harmonies and music genres, they have been called “a groove oriented country and rock sound with harmonies reminiscent of early Eagles”. Their current self-titled album “One Mile South” was produced by Darren Smith, who was nominated for a 2003 CMA Award for co-producing on a Tim McGraw project, and Denny Hemmingson, a member of the “Dance Hall Doctors”. Although they’ve gained attention from some of the most influential individuals in the country music industry, they hold fast to their roots and their spirited approach to country music that combines a fresh, yet familiar sound to listeners. It obviously got “Young Guns” fans’ attention!

The Country Thunder USA “Young Guns” competition is an online reality-based contest where fans cast votes for their favorite competitors based on the music available on the site. The fist place winner walks away with a prime slot on the main stage and $3,000.00 cash award. Second and third prizewinners will receive $2,000.00 and $1,000.00 prizes respectively.

This year’s festival returns to the Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, WI, between Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL just outside of the popular resort destination of Lake Geneva. The four-day event is considered a premiere country music experience, featuring top outdoor camping, food, and arts. Tickets are available now for $45 for a single day and $119 for a four-day pass, and they are available for purchase at www.countrythunder.com or by calling (262) 279-6960.