W’boro singers compete at Texas Country Music Hall of Fame John Ritter Tribute Showcase

Three Whitesboro performers competed in the John Ritter Tribute Showcase as part of the 28th Annual Texas Country Music Hall of Fame (TCMHOF) Classic Country Music Festival last weekend.

On Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m., Chasely Bratcher, Zander Brannan (under his stage name, Zander Dawson) and Elly (Harper) Dugger were among the 30 finalists who competed in the contest at the Carthage Civic Center in Carthage, Texas. The singers first competed on June 1, advancing to this level to be part of the tribute showcase.

Bratcher performed “You’re Lookin’ at Country,” Brannan performed “Driving My Life Away” and Dugger performed “Wild One.”

The Showcase is named after actor John Ritter, son of Tex Ritter, a pioneer of American country music, a singer and an actor from the mid-1930s into the 1960s. The Ritter family wanted to honor John, who passed away unexpectedly in 2003, by doing something that would help young people get started in the entertainment business.

Tryouts for the showcase are on a first come, first served basis. Judges are professional musicians, singers or promoters who have been in the business for a long time. Contestants are chosen to compete at the finals the Friday before the TCMHOF Induction Ceremony on Saturday each year. The winner will serve as the TCMHOF Ambassador and will represent the TCMHOF the following year at various concerts and special events.

This year’s showcase was hosted by emcee (and Grammy award winner) Linda Davis and included the TCMHOF band (who provided accompaniment for each performer), special guest Penny Gilley and past winners Chris Colston (2015), Landan Elmore (2024) and Bailey Rae (2019).

At the end of the evening, Carthage local Chase Dawson won the competition, receiving a $1000 cash prize, a $500 wardrobe allowance, a scholarship to Linda Davis’s Stage Presence 101 Seminar, a recording session at MB Studios, an extension of Arthur Audio, a two-hour photo session with Star Cravin Studios, a vocal consult and artist development provided by Shawnda Raines Entertainment, three songwriting sessions with Bailey Rae, former Showcase winner and semi-finalist on The Voice, interviews with Don Caldwell Show and Keepin’ it Country Live Internet Radio, an official bio and press kit designed by Jennifer Herron Media/PR, Nashville, Tennessee and appearances on “Country with a Heart” Nashville hosted by Bobby Marquez and at various events throughout the year representing the TCMHOF.