The Showdown: George Strait vs. Lauren Alaina

Over the weekend, Jon Pardi learned why it's so tough to get to the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame. The "Head Over Boots" singer had won four straight, but fell to an all-time great during his fifth and final song battle.

George Strait's "Cold Beer Conversation" was the song to do it. The new single from the King's latest studio album more than doubled Pardi's total. It's an easy conversation between two longtime friends, delivered with Strait's signature swagger. The album finds more of the same.

Today and Tuesday Strait will face the next single from Lauren Alaina. "Next Boyfriend" is a flirty pop-country song that suits this singer just fine. She's able to show off her big country voice, improved after recent surgeries. Fans can expect a new album from Alaina in 2016.

Listen to clips of both Strait and Alaina’s songs and vote for your favorite here. You can vote once every hour until this Showdown ends on Wednesday at 8AM ET, so come back and vote often to be sure your artist wins. The winner of this matchup will face a new challenger on Wednesday.

Listen to George Strait, “Cold Beer Conversation”

Listen to Lauren Alaina, “Next Boyfriend”

Showdown Rules: The song with the most votes wins, and the winner goes on to face a new challenger in the next Showdown. Vote as much as once per hour online. If a song wins five Showdowns in a row, it will be retired into the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame to allow for new songs to compete. Some songs will be considered for a second Showdown if voter turnout is healthy in a losing effort.