KEKB Country Spotlight Competitors go on to Sucessful Musical Careers

For decades, KEKB has hosted the annual "Country Spotlight," a competition for up-and-coming musicians to get noticed and win a chance to record a song in a professional recording studio and to perform at Country Jam. Over the years, several very successful musical careers have begun with the Country Spotlight. Here's a brief look back at just a handful of today's local performers who got their start with the event.

Garry Tullio won the Country Spotlight twice in the early 1990's. Right about that time, he joined the Country group Shot Gun, and performed on stage with acts including Shenandoah, Skip Ewing, Black Hawk, and Neal McCoy. Today, Garry can be found performing with the group Stray Grass, which recently toured on a Bluegrass cruise to the Bahamas. More recently, Garry and Stray Grass performed at the Avalon Theater with Sam Bush and Del McCoury.

Guitarist and vocalist Ted Dussor won the Country Spotlight its very first year. He and his group, Sierra, went on to win at state, and then ultimately competed at the national finals in Nashville. Since then, Ted has worked with groups including Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Ralph N' Clyde, and Black Timber.

J.P. - The Sunset Cowboy came in 2nd place at the competition two years ago as a solo artist. Since then, he has formed a band called Sunset Cowboy, and is working non-stop all over Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. You've seen Sunset Cowboy at Cruiser's, the West Elk Inn, and Naggy McGee's. The group also performs every Wednesday night from 5 - 8 at the Grand Vista Hotel.

Andy Kelly placed strongly in the Spotlight two years ago, and has been performing ever since. He put together his own group, Southern Junction, and went on to perform regionally at Tenacious Brothers and the Vintage Motorcycle Days.

Last year's winner, Lainey's May, knocked them dead at Major Mortgage Country Jam. Since then, the group has performed several times at the Mesa Theater and Lounge and at Lestat's West.