Anyone who works in entertainment will tell you perseverance is an integral part of making it in the business. The years of hard work are worth it, though, when you compete against the best. The best took to the Ryman Auditorium stage recently to compete for the Colgate Country Showdown. In this CyberCountry Minute we speak with some of this year's finalists who show us just why they could be the next big thing.

Country music, it's said, is telling stories about the experience of life. Stephen Cochran's life experience isn't one you'd think the average man could handle. In this CyberCountry Minute Stephen tells Lance how his tough journey through life and his faith have made him a better performer and a stronger person.

Sometimes finding the right music to fit a performer's style is a matter of getting some good objective advice. Leslie McClain says her friends first noticed country music fit her singing style very well. In this CyberCountry Minute this Dublin, California native tells Lance Yelvington more about her budding and blooming career in Music City.

Beth Harris isn't what you expect to see on a country stage. But in this CyberCountry Minute Beth tells Lance Yelvington how her Kentucky upbringing and one staunch country fan of a grandmother led her to developing a great stage presence.

Going into the music business isn't for the faint of heart. In this CyberCountry Minute Lance Yelvington introduces us to Megan Redmond, a determined and very talented young woman who is doing what it takes to make it in country.

Why is Christmas such an important part of the life experience of a Nashville performer? While there are many theories on this improbable imponderable CyberCountry's Lance Yelvington went straight to the source to get some answers in this CyberCountry Minute.

There's no doubt Music City is chock full of musical talent. When you see the performers learning their craft from J. Kelley Studios in Franklin, Tennessee you can tell the skills are learned early and well. Lance Yelvington gives us a bit of their Christmas performance in this CyberCountry Minute.

Though you might not think about it bull riding has been a part of country music well before the days of the legendary Chris LeDoux. Jeremy Miller does think this skill also comes in handy in country music. At a recent showcase of Best New Nashville Jeremy tells Lance how this edge is put to good use onstage in this CyberCountry Minute.

California isn't usually the first place you think of when you think of country music. But talented artist Bredawn calls herself a Cali Country Girl, and when she hits the stage you see how well her talent and background comes through perfectly in each song. She tells Lance more about her music in this CyberCountry MInute.

Deanna Loveland has a beautiful voice as well as an amazing ability to balance and play a harp while she plays the piano. A beautiful blending of talents that results in some uniquely melodious music. Lance caught up with her at a recent appearance at Best New Nashville to tell us more in this CyberCountry Minute.