Jacksonville fourth grade teacher will compete Nov. 1 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for state title in her quest to win $100,000 and be named the best new country act in America! SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - Performing before a packed house, Jacksonville fourth grade teacher Amy Maree won the North Florida Colgate Country Showdown June 20 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP). Amy won over 19 other contestants who along with her had won in four earlier contests at the SOSMP in the search for America’s best new country act. Amy will represent North Florida Nov. 1 at the SOSMP at the state finals. From among six statewide finalists who will eagerly travel to North Florida for their big chance at stardom, judges will select only one winner who will go to regionals. The state winner will receive $1,000! One winner from each of five regionals across America will receive an all expenses paid trip to the final contest in January of 2009. The final winner will be named the top new country act in America, and of course, win $100,000 in cash! The North Florida Colgate Country Showdowns were sponsored by WQHL 98.1 in Live Oak, emceed by 98.1 morning show host Kevin Thomas and coordinated by WQHL’s Gail Taylor. Kevin Thomas will also emcee the state finals. Amy competed in the Colgate Country Showdown in Jacksonville previously and won. She took third at state, which just whetted her appetite for winning it all, something she accomplished this year. “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed. “I just want to make every body proud. I‘m very, very proud to be representing Live Oak, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and WQHL 98.1,” she stressed. Amy said she can usually tell who the winner will be in such competitions, but the Colgate finals June 20 were different. “I’ve been in many competitions and usually can pick a winner, but this time everybody was so unique.” When her name was called out as the winner, Amy appeared to be in disbelief as she moved to the front of the stage. Amy, 31, is a seasoned veteran of performing. She’s opened for such big country stars as Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence; sung the national anthem at a Jacksonville Jaguars’ football game, a Jacksonville Suns’ Baseball game, JaxJam ABA Basketball game, Ultimate Warrior Challenge, Special Olympics’ opening ceremonies; sang at the Clay County Fair; sang at the BellSouth Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament; performed at the Alltel Stadium pre-game for the Jaguars and many other venues. She’s been singing since age 7, but when her daughter, now 10, was born, she took off a couple of years and concentrated on being a mom. At 23, she started singing again. “Martina McBride is my favorite all time singer,” she states. Although she loves all types of music, including that sung by Whitney Houston, Mariah Cary and Celine Dion, “all the Divas,” she says she loves country best. “I listen to country all the time!” she states. She also sings at churches and loves gospel music. Being a single mom, a fourth grade teacher at Arlington Heights Elementary in Jacksonville and a singer keeps her busy. “My daughter is my biggest fan, and she sings as well,” Amy said. Amy said she’s so excited about the state finals. She’ll have her own cheering section at the Nov. 1 Colgate finals to be held at the SOSMP. If you would like to learn more about Amy Maree, go to her Website at www.amymaree.com. To learn more about the SOSMP or make reservations for the state event, go to musicliveshere.com; and to wqhl981.com to learn more about WQHL 98.1.