Valdosta gasoline price jump 

VALDOSTA — While national and state gasoline prices inched upward last week, Valdosta’s took a flying leap, according to statistics. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the city Sunday was $2.70, a hike of eight cents from the $2.62 a gallon registered seven days earlier, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. In comparison, the national average gasoline price Sunday, $2.88 a gallon, only increased three cents from the previous Sunday, while Georgia’s average of $2.72 was up only a penny in the same period, the auto club said. Valdosta was tied with Gainesville for the sixth most expensive gasoline in the state Sunday out of the 15 Georgia markets surveyed by AAA. The lowest price for gasoline in Valdosta Sunday was reported as $2.61 a gallon at a convenience store at the corner of Baytree Road and Melody Lane, according to the price tracking website gasbuddy.com. In Friday market action, energy companies rose as benchmark U.S. crude rose 1.6 percent to $73.25 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 1.2 percent to $82.72 per barrel in London. Wholesale gasoline added 0.9 percent to $2.10 a gallon. Heating oil rose 1.2 percent to $2.35 a gallon. Natural gas fell 1.6 percent to $3.01 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Music Park to host 37th annual Country Showdown semifinal

NASHVILLE — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak will host the 37th annual Country Showdown Southeast semifinal for America’s largest country music talent search.

The show will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday in the SOSMP Music Hall with free admission.

Contestants at this year’s Country Showdown Southeast semifinal will represent radio stations from across the Southeast. They are vying for the chance to advance to the national final and win the grand prize and title of “Best New Act in Country Music.”

Located just north of Live Oak, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a one-of-a-kind music park and premier campground known internationally. It is nestled on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River in North Florida. The Spirit of the Suwannee is proud to host a variety of events throughout the year. In addition, the park offers live music every week in the Music Hall as well as a natural amphitheater and an even larger stage for outdoor music festivals.

The Showdown is an annual series of local, regional and semifinal live shows produced by country music radio stations throughout the country. Local winners advance to their regional events and the opportunity to compete in one of five semifinal events. Throughout all four levels of competition – local, regional, semifinal and national – a uniform judging system is used. The 1-10 point scoring system is used for the following categories: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance; Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent with bonus points for song writing. Semi-final winners receive an opportunity to advance in the competition to win the coveted title, “Best New Act in Country Music.”

Each year, more country artists compete throughout the U.S. in Country Showdown. Some of the past local, state and regional winners include Chris Young, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Neal McCoy, Sara Evans and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Visit www.countryshowdown.com for more information.