The Showdown: Gary Allan vs. Striking Matches

Gary Allan has just won his second straight Showdown and now faces a new challenge from newcomers Striking Matches.

Allan's latest single, "Hangover Tonight," sees him getting past the emotional turmoil that marked his work for several album cycles and getting back to the kind of sexy vibe of some of his earlier favorites like "Nothin' on But the Radio." The song roundly defeated Lady Antebellum's new single in a head-to-head matchup.

Striking Matches make their radio debut with "Hanging on a Lie," which draws on country, bluegrass and rock influences for a scathing track about a moving on from a cheating lover. The song blends a mandolin riff, jangly electric guitars and stellar harmony vocals for a sound that is strikingly unique. Can the duo break Allan's streak, or will he get one step closer to the Showdown Hall of Fame?

Listen to Gary Allan, "Hangover Tonight"

Listen to Striking Matches, "Hanging on a Lie"

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.