The Uintah Basin’s longest running singing competition crowned a 2025 winner last night in Vernal. The Downtown Auto Group Country Showdown had 10 amazing contestants and several special surprises. Event organizers decided to narrow it down to less contestants this year that included a very talented pool of men and women. This year’s cash prize winners were Patty Hansen Charlesworth in 3rd place, Kinley Rich in 2nd place, and Alex Gingell as the 1st place winner. Alex Gingell will open for Matt Stell at this summer’s UBIC Concert on August 2nd and as a surprise bonus prize she will get to have a private audition here in Utah for American Idol. Another surprise of the night came in the form of an additional performance. Not only did the crowd get to enjoy 2 songs from each contestant, they were also serenaded by the three judges who are each professional musicians with their performing roots in Nashville, the capital of Country music. The judges were Anna Kaelin, Greg Hammer, and Susie Brown, former lead singer of the band Jane Dear Girls. This was the 44th year of the Country Showdown, an Evans Family Media production.
