Bay County Bullet: Tootsie’s Names Christon Birge Winner of Birthday Bash Contest

Local singer/songwriter Christon Birge of Vernon was named the winner of the 2014 Tootsie’s Birthday Bash Talent Contest Thursday night in Panama City Beach. The competition, which has been advancing  finalists over the past several weeks, drew dozens of hopeful singers to the honky tonk for their chance to win a trip for two to Nashville, $1,000 cash, and the opportunity to perform at the 54th Annual Tootsie’s Birthday Bash in Music City.

“This is a dream come true,” said Birge, winner of the Tootsie’s Birthday Bash Talent Contest. “I’d never want to be anywhere but this area–Washington County, Bay County, Holmes County, it’s all home to me and I’m so incredibly excited for this opportunity.” Birge was born and raised in Vernon, FL and music is in his blood.

“My older brother, Stephen, taught me how to play guitar when I was fifteen years old,” said Birge. “The first song I even learned on guitar was ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ by Keith Whitley.” Growing up listening to his brother play guitar, Birge knew he wanted to chase the dream of being a musician at a young age, but he knew it wouldn’t be easy and there would be rejection along the way. “Singing’s the only thing I can thin of that I do whether I’m happy or sad,” said Birge. “It comes as natural to me as breathing.”

Birge heads to Music City to perform at the legendary honky-tonk in November with a Broadway street-party hosted by America’s Morning Show host Blair Garner from NASH-FM. “The Tootsie’s Birthday Bash has become an annual event that everyone looks forward to,” says Tootsie’s proprietor Steve Smith.