[show' down - n.(colloq.) an action that brings matters to a climax]

SHOWDOWN opens for national recording artists with original music, as well as performing more familiar tunes at private parties, festivals, and showcases. Their rich harmonies are often compared to the Eagles and the Mama's and Papa's. Their musicianship to quote a local news writer is; "as good as it gets_ SHOWDOWN features some of Atlanta's top [Studio] session players."

Michael Wheeler - Songwriter / Drums / Percussion / Vocals

Bandleader, Michael Wheeler, is a songwriter and accomplished percussionist who has shared the stage with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Linda Ronstadt, Flying Burrito Brothers, Vassar Clements, the Byrds, and the Dixie Dregs.  Michael is also an accomplished songwriter, co-writing often with band members Harrington and Tom Wolf.  He received the "Songwriter of the Year" award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers and has been a finalist songwriter in the Georgia Music Industry Association's "Best of Country" contest several years running.  Wheeler has co-arranged all of the material for Harrington's live shows and albums.  He is a multi-talented, entrepreneurial musician who combines sound-studio magic with video technologies to produce original film projects for Atlanta-based Romo Film Productions.  SHOWDOWN benefits from this talent as evidenced by their video, "Moonflowers," with original music and ground-breaking real-time photography.

Tom Wolf - Songwriter / Guitars / Harmonica / Vocals

One of SHOWDOWN’S key players, Tom Wolf is a grammy-nominated songwriter and was the music director for the famous “Freight Room” which was one of Atlanta’s premier original music showcases.  In his ten-year career there, he established it as one of "the places to be heard" as regards up-and-coming and established folk, country and bluegrass artists. .  Tom  is an accomplished vocalist, lead guitarist and harmonica player.  His  prowess on these instruments makes him a “triple threat”  and a valuable addition to SHOWDOWN'S sound.    His musicianship is legendary, and he has shared the stage with such artists as John McKuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Hartford, and Peter Tork of the Monkees.  He has produced a harmonica video that has been released nationally through Watch-and-Learn Video Company, and he has an album of his own original music, entitled “Backslidin,’” which has been released through Atlanta-based GOC Records, Inc.

Craig Rafuse - Guitars

Craig Rafuse is a master musician, songwriter, singer and guitarist who, in addition to adding his own distinctive guitar wizardry to SHOWDOWN's sound, also jangles with Expand Band, jazzes with the Owls, accompanies the likes of Joyce Brookshire and the Deluxe Vaudeville Orchestra, and once in a while "dusts off" the extensive catalog of his own original tunes.  Nicknamed "The Fuse, " Craig cites influences as diversified as Chet Atkins, the Beatles, Phil Ochs, the Grateful Dead, Woody Guthrie and the Back Bayou Band.  Rafuse has traveled the world, even teaching guitar in Beirut for seven months, and, while out west, he wrote music for a play at the University of Oregon entitled "Mother Courage."  The Williamette Valley Observer gave critical praise to his songwriting, stating that his activist consciousness created "biting lyrics beautifully set that meld gracefully into the show's strongest scenes."  Craig's songwriting background, world-wide experience, and deeply rich guitar leads come together to give SHOWDOWN a distinctive, original  and powerful sound.

Dionne Osborne - Vocals / Percussion

Berklee College of Music.  During her studies at Berklee, she shared the stage with many talented artists such as Jazz great, Joe Williams, and Jazz saxophonist, Walter Beazley.  After graduating from Berklee, she joined the band, "Obsession," as the lead singer.  While touring with this dynamic show band throughout the New England area, Dionne entertained thousands with her theatrical flair and raw energy.  Because of her adept abilities to sing many genres of music, this versatile artist also began lending her voice to jingle commercial producers.  Serving as both lead and back-up singer, she continues to give voice to both regional and national campaigns such as, McDonalds, Ban Roll-On, The Cartoon Network, and many others.   After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Dionne began sharing her talents and expertise with other artists as a vocal coach. She soon joined the famed Jan Smith Studios, serving as both vocal coach and vocal producer.  But as always, it is the live stage where Dionne's talents truly shine, and in 2001 she joined Showdown as Back-up Vocalist.  Dionne Osborne's captivating live energy, along with her dynamic vocals, lends Showdown the background support needed to help drive this extraordinarily successful band.

Dionne Osborne has been performing professionally since the tenJerry Zee - Bass / Vocals

An accomplished songwriter and musician, Jerry Zee has been playing bass professionally for almost twenty years, sharing the stage with renowned performers such as Doc Watson, Poco, Leon Russell, New Grass Revival, and Michael Martin Murphy.  As a traveling musician, he toured from coast to coast, and received major recognition for his songwriting when he was a finalist in the American Song Festival.  As a solo artist, he has written, produced, and recorded an award winning children's album which has received national acclaim, including the "Parent's Choice" Award. He is also an accomplished comedy writer whose tunes have been recorded on several albums.  Zee's steady, strong bass rhythms add rich texture to the solid sound of SHOWDOWN and he brings a wide-array of his many talents to the forefront in his on-stage performances with the band. 

Cindy Lou Harrington and SHOWDOWN are managed and booked by

GOC Management. You can contact GOC by e-mail or call 770-938-9536.