Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008

Korey Blake Rose, a senior at Lafayette High School, has won the Ohio state round of the Colgate Country Showdown, a nationwide talent contest.

Rose performed his original song “Last Chance” as well as “Letter from Daddy,” co-written with friend Jeff Perdue, to beat out three bands, a duo and another solo artist Saturday in Cincinnati.

Pocketing $1,000 for the win, Rose now advances to the nine-state Northeast Region competition Oct. 25 in Marietta, Ohio. The finals will follow in Nashville, where the ultimate prize is $100,000 and a recording contract.

ONLINE FEATURE: Read more about Korey Blake Rose and listen to “Letter from Daddy.”