Paquette to perform at Opry competition

Popular Maine country singer Jenny Paquette will make her debut on a national stage this week.

Paquette is one of six finalists in the Colgate Country Showdown to be held tonight at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. The event, to be hosted by Barbara Mandrell, will be taped for a syndicated national telecast in March.

The 25-year-old Paquette is in her first year in the Showdown. She won regional finals in Manchester, N.H., Boston and Wheeling, W.Va., to advance to the national finals.

Each of the finalists will have seven minutes to perform. Paquette will sing her own “After Her” and a cover of Martina McBride’s “Whatever You Say” in her set.

There are five soloists and one group in the finals. Each of the soloists can opt to use his or her own group or the event’s house band. The Kennebunkport resident feels that having her own six-member band, North Country, behind her will be an advantage.

“We have a bond, an energy,” she said. “I feel comfortable with them up on stage. I want to be totally focused on my music and the audience, and bringing my band allows me to do that.”

The winner of the competition will gain $50,000, an appearance on a national TV special and another appearance on the Grand Old Opry stage.

Paquette sees other benefits as well.

“There’s the chance to be on the Opry stage,” she said. “There’s such a reverence for that building among country fans. To share a stage that so many stars have been on is just awesome. Also, quite a few people in the industry will be there, and I’ll be able to meet them and network.”

Paquette has been living in Nashville for the past three months, writing songs, doing demos and meeting people. She’s released two albums already, but isn’t planning to record a new album any time soon.

“I’m holding everything right now, to see if I can get a record deal,” she said. “I want to wait at least one more year before producing another album.”

Paquette is hopeful that the contacts she makes now can pay off in the near future.

“I’ve met some great songwriters and wonderful producers,” she said. “They’re very legit, genuine people who want to help people out.”

For more information, go to www.jennypaquette.com.