Danika Holmes (Facebook)

Nine Iowa country bands – including six from Eastern Iowa – will compete at 7 p.m. tonight at the Great Jones County Fair for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Nashville, $100,000 in cash and earn the title of “Best New Act in Country Music” as part of a competition called the Texaco Country Showdown.

The local country bands competing will be Lonesome Road from Ely, Lady Lowe from Cedar Rapids, The Bret Black Band from Johnston, Shannon Shepard from Lone Tree, Chad Elliot from Coon Rapids, Danika Holmes from Davenport, Justin Horesowsky from Kalona, The Back Home Boys from Manchester, and Matthew Kane and the band Greenbrier from Cedar Rapids.

KISS Country 96.5 is sponsoring the competition locally.

“We’re happy the judges put us through to the next round. There’s a lot of talented singers and bands involved in the competition and it’s been fun meeting some new musicians,” Holmes said.

Nashville recording artists Jimmie Van Zant, and local favorite Jake McVey will be on-hand for special guest performance and also serve as judges. This will be a free event and attendees will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the fair after the show.

The winner of this round will advance to the state finals at Riverside Casino in September. All other competitors will receive awards as well.

“We are pretty excited about the level of talent we have here in Eastern Iowa. I’m pretty confident that the act that wins in our finals at Jones County Fair will go on to win the Iowa State Finals in September down at Riverside Casino,” said JJ Cook, operations manager for Clear Channel.

The Texaco Country Showdown is the largest and longest running country music talent search. There are local showdowns all across the country, sponsored by local country music radio stations.

Winners advance to the state level which can then lead to one of five regional events, and eventually on to Nashville for the chance to win the grand prize.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of the Texaco Country Showdown. We are working hard to write great country music and represent the state of Iowa and Kiss Country 96.5,” said Brett Black of the Brett Black Band.