Winters sings way into state finals

Mamie Winters of Patterson was the winner of the fourth annual KMAR Country Showdown that took place at Princess Theatre in Winnsboro on Friday. She beat out eight other contestants to take the Winnsboro title.
“As it is every year, it was plenty of talented singers and musicians competing,” judge Gene Thompson, told The Franklin Sun in Winnsboro. “It was tough to pick who was second and third place, but we were all sure of who we thought was the winner.”
Winters rode more than four hours in a van with her parents and 10 siblings to compete in the event. The 16-year-old brought down the house with her rendition of Martina McBride’s “Broken Wing,” according to The Franklin Sun article. It earned her a unanimous decision to be named winner.
“After it was announced I won, I really didn’t believe it,” Winters told The Franklin Sun. “I heard it, but it didn’t register.”
Thompson, who judged alongside Shellie Rushing Tomlinson and Richie Kelly, said Winters’ performance was just different than the other contestants.
“She was able to really captivate and hold our attention throughout her entire performance,” he said. “It was no question, she had the voice, too. She really stood out in our mind.”
Winters will next compete in the state finals in the fall. The venue is yet to be decided. The state finalist advances to the regional event at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, on Nov. 14.