Whisky Row, winner of the 2009 Merced County Fair’s KUBB Colgate Country Showdown, will compete with four other finalists for “Best New Act in Country Music” at the 28th Annual National Colgate Country Showdown in Nashville.

Mike Pereira and Jason Ruffoni of Kerman won the Merced County competition, went on to win the state contest in August, then took first place at the regional competition in Oregon to become West Regional finalists. Whisky Row is sponsored by KUBB Radio 96.3 FM and will compete for a $100,000 grand prize and the title.

The national finals, hosted by country star LeAnn Rimes, will air this month and next month on more than 150 TV stations nationwide.