Leslie Lyons-Breedlove is silhouetted against the lights as she cheers on Colgate Country Showdown contestant Campion Journot last week at The Mill Casino-Hotel. Eight contestants vie for four spots in the preliminary round each week this month. Journot sang "The Thunder Rolls" and "Something More." World Photos by Lou Sennick

NORTH BEND - The crowd had a clear favorite. There were eight singers competing in the second week of the local qualifying round of the 26th-annual Colgate Country Showdown on May 10 at The Mill Casino-Hotel. Each had a noticeable cheering section among the 200 in attendance.

But when Micah Langley stepped onto the stage, it sounded like he was already a star from the yelps of the audience. It seems Langley, 18, of Lakeside, has built a fan base from his performances in shows like Little Ole Opry and other singing competitions.

Last year, he finished third in the Bay Area Teen Idol contest and won the state and regional titles in the Teen Talent Male Vocalist competition that sent him to sing for thousands at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis in the national finals. He's also competed before in the showdown, which is organized by hundreds of country music radio stations, including KSHORE and KJMX.

“Only 10 or 15 people are here for me,” Langley said after finishing his two songs, “Nothin' to Lose” by Josh Gracin and “Stupid Boy” by Keith Urban. “It seemed like the crowd was into it.”

The other singers were aware of what they were up against.

“I'm just glad I'm not performing against Sara Martin,” said Jenni-Lynn Bjornerud, 28, of Coos Bay, referring to the former Teen Idol winner who was scheduled to perform in this week's qualifying round Thursday. “When she sings, I've had chills.”

After all eight - including Annie Wolf, Katie Ericson, Campion Journot, Rebecca Allen, Danielle Betts and Tammy Foxworthy - performed, they all returned to the stage to await the results, and once again, Langley received the loudest cheers.

Four of them would be moving on to the preliminary round May 31, when the field of 16 qualifiers will be cut to eight who will go to the local finals at the Coos County Fair on July 24, 25 and 28. The judges - Scott Bassett, Gino Harpold and Teresa Stout, mother of last year's national runner-up, Hailey Stout, and the only judge who wasn't on the panel last year - had filled out their scorecards.

But there was a delay as stage support Paul Benshoof tabulated the results.

Finally, the winners were announced: Ericson, Bjornerud, Allen and Foxworthy. The news that Langley didn't advance brought more shouts from the crowd for him.

“I thought he was in for sure,” said Brenda Perry of Coquille as she exited. “I could not believe they didn't pick him.”

Even the neutral Bicoastal Media organizers were stunned.

“I am floored that Micah didn't make it,” said event coordinator Cathy Jensen. “We can't judge the judges - we just have to trust them.”

After all, the judges had done all right before, sending Stout to the state, regional and national finals. Because of her success, the state and regional contests will be held at The Mill on Sept. 22 and Oct. 13.

Benshoof explained the results were delayed because he added the scores three times: “I thought, ‘This can't be right.'”

As the shock settled in, Langley was consoled by friends and approached by fans.

“My daughter wants to meet you,” said Foxworthy, one of the singers who had just beaten him.

The showdown continues at 7 p.m. Thursdays this month. Tickets are $5.