Josey Greenwell, the small town boy with the big time voice, burst from the musical starting gate by capturing the Country Colgate Showdown in 2006. In reality though, this young Kentucky thoroughbred has been grooming a career in country music since first finding his voice in the school choir at St. Joseph Parish. “They gave me a solo as part of our kindergarten graduation,” the 20-year-old Bardstown, Kentucky native recalls. “I guess I was pretty good, and I remember not being nervous at all. I’ve always enjoyed singing in front of people. The bigger the crowd, the more I love it.” It’s a good thing, because after capturing the prestigious Colgate crown, a title also held by greats such as Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Miranda Lambert the shows, and the crowds, have been getting bigger. As a result of his Colgate win, Greenwell was invited in 2007 to open for Steve Holy in front of thousands. The passion inside the former quarter horse rider swelled, and the path to pure country, born many years before, hit full stride. As is often the case with those in Kentucky’s famous horse industry, the road to success for Greenwell has included a speed bump or two. “I was twelve or thirteen, and showing quarter horses around the country with my mother, when my dad became seriously ill,” Greenwell said. “He died rather quickly, way too soon, and it changed my whole perspective on life… in a good way. I don’t know what kind of person I would have been if my father had lived, but I know who I’ve become because he didn’t. It’s brought me closer to my two older sisters and my mother, and I’ve learned to live, laugh and love as much as possible.” Through the difficult teenage years that followed, the high school basketball and soccer player poured his heart and soul into singing and song writing, and a career was born. “I’ll never forget the day writing and my love for country music clicked,” he said. “I’ve known for a long time… this is what I want to do with my life.” After graduating from tiny Bethlehem High School with honors, Greenwell enrolled at Belmont University. He wanted to learn more about the music business, and he wanted to be in Nashville. “Instead of partying, you could find me locked in my dorm room, teaching myself how to play the guitar and writing songs,” he said. “I would describe my music as fun, relatable and honest.” He started attending Writer’s Nights in Nashville to test out new material. Much of the music was popular and he soon recorded an album entitled, “My Life on the Radio,”, writing all 13 songs on the recording. Playing in and around Nashville, Greenwell successfully showcased at the electric 12th & Porter nightclub, and a new path formed. “I struggled with the decision to go back to school, but finally decided to pack my bags and chase a dream,” said Greenwell. So far, the road has been good. He recently opened for the Zac Brown Band and Little Big Town in Oklahoma, and on May 30, 2009 opened for Mark Chesnutt in Ohio. A performance opening for a veteran in-state group, The Kentucky Headhunters, is also in the works. The future looks bright for the young singer-songwriter, and if his website is any indication, his reputation and music are growing rapidly. With over 68,000 friends on myspace and more than 3.5 million plays already, this internet sensation hopes to someday soon become a big name in country music. “I’m gaining valuable experience and learning more each and every day,” Greenwell said. “It seems like there’s not a lot of young guys thriving in the industry right now, and I’m optimistic I’ll soon find my place in this exciting, crazy world.” Don’t look now, country music fans, but Kentucky’s Josey Greenwell has left the gate and is looking to enter the winner’s circle.