Things got off to a suitable start as Dotson played the first chords of the signature Boyle County anthem, "My Town," by Montgomery Gentry. Faces lit up with instant recognition and sure looks of ensuing victory.
Gradually though, those looks faded as the songs became slightly more difficult to identify, although Dotson was constantly offering clues.
The game plowed through country hits both new and old by the likes of Martina McBride and Kenny Rogers before getting to Tim McGraw's "My Next 30 Years." Dotson's hint: "It's not my next 80 years."
Still, some found it difficult.
The category came to a close and it was time to tally up the score. Susan Montgomery proudly announced her score of seven. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Phyllis Middleton quickly countered with her eight correct answers.
From country to rock
Then it was on to the rock portion of the evening. And after making her way through the 10 songs relatively easily, Becky Quesenberry stood proud and was ready to take on Middleton.
The two ladies sat happily on the stage and appeared to be taking everything all in fun, but their competitiveness could be seen in their eyes. They did well, and even took a curve ball from Dotson in stride: The University of Kentucky fight song. Quesenberry sensed familiarity, but couldn't quite place the anthem, while Middleton, an obviously devoted Wildcat fan, cheered with excitement.
It all came down to a tie-breaker as both contestants answered seven songs in the miscellaneous round. Dotson informed them that the first to correctly identify the next song, by both writing and saying the title, would move on to the cash round. When the song started, both looked confused, but Middleton was the first to place it as "Moon River." Quesenberry questioned the rules for a bit, then succumbed to the fate of second place.
In the final round, the champion started off rapid-fire, knocking out songs by Montgomery Gentry, Lionel Ritchie and others. Middleton climbed to $25 without even breaking a sweat.
Though there was a bit of controversy over her answer for the $30 question - she answered "Louise" instead of "Lucille" for the Kenny Rogers song - she chose to gamble her money for a chance at $35.
However, Middleton lost it all when she failed to recognize "Hungry Like the Wolf." And somewhere, a Duran Duran fan shed a tear.
