Talent Quest 2008 Contest Rules

1. All contestants must be 21 years of age or older. Any person may enter the national contest who is 20 years of age, but will become 21 years of age on or before September 23, 2008. Local, State and Federal laws supersede these rules where persons under the age of 21 are prohibited to enter businesses or locations governed by Local, State or Federal laws.
   
   
2. Persons who entertain are allowed to compete as long as it is part-time income and that person does not belong to any professional organization connected with the entertainment industry that would cause TALENT QUEST or any of TALENT QUEST'S representative's to pay such contestant a fee or any other benefit for taking part in any TALENT QUEST event.
   
   
3. Any person may enter the contest that belongs to an Organized Labor Union connected with the entertainment industry, as long as that person is not disqualified by rule number 2.
   
   
4. Contestants MAY NOT utilize live props. This will include back-up singers, dancers or animals. Non-human props such as costumes and other accessories are permitted. Musical instruments may be used as props, but are not allowed as an accompaniment to the contestants' performance. Such musical instruments must be hand carried. Larger instruments that utilize the aid of others to bring them on stage, or are difficult to handle will NOT be permitted. An example of this type of instrument is a piano, harp, etcÉ Any prop used by a contestant must be carried on stage or into the stage area by the contestant, and must be completed in one trip onto or into the stage area. The non-use of live props will include the passing of flowers or other items to anyone, touching hands of an audience member or any other similar act.
   
   
5. Contestants are not allowed to leave the stage or stage area during their performance. This includes singing or performing within the audience.
   
   
6. Song time limit is 4 minutes. Songs going over the 4 minute time limit will be cut off. Judges will be instructed to not to deduct points due to a song being cut off.
   
   
7. Contestants may sing the same song as another contestant.
   
   
8. Songs containing vulgar or explicit sex lyrics will not be allowed. Contestants who, during their performance, use vulgar lyrics or perform in an obscene manner will be disqualified from any TALENT QUEST competition.
   
   
9. Contestants will sing one judged song. If at the end of the first judged song there is a tie, the contestants, who are tied for first place only, will sing another judged song. Contestants are not allowed to repeat the song used for the first judged song. Should this method not break the tie, the judges will collaborate between each other and decide a winner.
   
   
10. A contestant may enter as many local level preliminary contests at different venues as desired in an attempt to qualify for a regional level contest. Once a contestant has qualified for the local final contest of a venue, that contestant MAY NOT enter another preliminary contest in that venue. Contestants may qualify for a regional only once. No contestant shall be allowed to compete in two different music categories at a regional contest.
    
    
11. Contests are divided into three music categories: 1. Country, 2. Pop, 3. 50 & Up - Open.
    
    
12. Contestants, their family or associates are not allowed to have contact with a contest judge before or during any contest connected with TALENT QUEST. Contact includes verbal conversations and handshakes. It is suggested that Club/Venue provide judge badges to prevent contestants from approaching judges. This rule applies only before and during the time contestants are performing. It is not reasonable to expect contestants; their family or associates from having contact with a judge directly after all contestants have performed. Breaks for judges during a contest shall be considered the same as time during a contestant performance and judges are off limits for conversation or any other contact.
    
    
13. Contestants, their family or associates who exhibit offensive behavior during any portion of the contest will disqualify that contestant from further competition. If the contestant, their family or associates exhibit offensive behavior after the contestant has competed, and such behavior is in the host establishment, even after the winners are announced, that contestants score will be nullified. If the contestant whose score has been nullified is a winning contestant, the next contestant in scoring position for that particular category shall be the winner. If there is a tie for the next in line, the winner shall be decided by a toss of a coin.
    
    
14. The order in which each contestant competes shall be determined by random drawing.
    
    
15. Contestants will be scored using a 50 point system:
    Vocal Ability (rhythm/pitch/phrasing) 1-30 points
    Stage Presence (movement/confidence/command) 1-10 points
    Appearance (costume/attire) 1-10 points
    
    
16. Exception to rule 15: A club/venue hosting a local contest, may at their discretion choose to use the approved audience participation method outlined in the local contest manual. Any club/venue using the approved audience method must post near the area of competition, rules concerning audience participation. The audience participation method is not allowed at a regional contest.
    
    
17. Decisions of the judges are final. No arguing with judges is allowed. Any contestant, their family or associates who argue with a judge may be deemed to be using offensive behavior and the contestant may be disqualified from competition
    
    
18. Clubs/Venues shall post in a conspicuous place, the final scores of all contestants of a local final competition. Scores during the preliminary portion of a local contest may or may not be posted and is left to the digression of the club/venue. All contestants during the preliminary portion of the contest are entitled to know their individual score only. Clubs/Venues are allowed to have contestants call back for their preliminary scores.
    
    
19. Complaints may be directed in a dignified manner to the contest host. If the host is unable to satisfy the complaint, the host will furnish the complainant the proper address to lodge a formal complaint. Should the complaint need immediate assistance, such as possible disqualification of a contestant, the host will furnish the proper telephone number to lodge a complaint.
    
    
20. Clubs/Venues at the local level may, at their discretion, charge a contest entry fee. This fee may not exceed $25.00 per contestant. A percentage of monies collected from entry fees shall go to pay contestant prizes or expenses. No more than 50% of monies collected will go to the club/venue.
    
    
21. Clubs/Venues may at their discretion charge a cover charge to any non-contestant attending a TALENT QUEST event. This fee may not exceed $25.00.
    
    
22. Clubs/Venues entered into TALENT QUEST may hold contest dates from a minimum of 1 contest day too as many as desired between February 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008. All local contest finals must be concluded no later than June 30, 2008 and the winners must be to TALENT QUEST no later than July 9, 2008.
    
    
23. No KJ/KJ assistant/Club owner/Venue owner/Venue lessee/their family or any other individual connected directly with TALENT QUEST or TALENT QUEST contest may enter at the local level. No KJ/KJ assistant/ Club owner/Venue owner/Venue Lessee/their family or any other individual connected directly with a TALENT QUEST contest regional site may enter at any local or regional level
    
    
24. Any KJ/KJ assistant/Club owner/Venue owner/Venue lessee/their family or any other individual connected directly with TALENT QUEST, and not connected directly with the national event, may enter the TALENT QUEST national contest in Laughlin, Nevada through the self-sponsorship method as long as no other rule would prohibit the entry of such contestant.
    
    
25. Winners from previous local and regional contests are allowed to compete in the 2008 TALENT QUEST events.
    Exceptions: 1st place winners from the 2007 TALENT QUEST National Finals must sit out one year for the category they won. Some individuals, due to actions after a contest, have been excluded from competition. For further clarification, contact the TALENT QUEST office.
    
    
26. A group of local clubs/venues may, at their discretion, choose to host only one of the three music categories. A club must make a reasonable effort to send an equal compliment of male and female winners to a regional contest.
    
    
27. Local clubs who are sending their final winners directly to the National Contest are responsible for sending 1 male and 1 female contestant from one category. This would include transportation cost to and from the National Contest plus lodging at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada for the National Finals week. It is not the responsibility of TALENT QUEST to furnish any contestant travel allowance or accommodations regardless of any club/venue not fulfilling its obligation to supply the winning contestants with travel allowance, entry fee or hotel accommodations.
    
    
28. Local venues not within a reasonable distance to a regional site may send their winning contestants directly to the TALENT QUEST national finals. A reasonable distance would be a 150-mile radius of a regional site. A venue electing to send contestants directly to the National Finals is responsible for the contestant's transportation to and from Laughlin, Nevada and hotel accommodations at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. It is not the responsibility of TALENT QUEST to furnish any contestant travel allowance or accommodations regardless of any club/venue not fulfilling its obligation to supply the winning contestants with travel allowance, entry fee or hotel accommodations.
    
    
29. Contest site definitions: Local sites are defined as the first level of competition, and are held primarily at Nightclubs, Karaoke Bars and other such venues. Regional sites are defined as the second level of the contest. Winners at local sites will advance to a regional site chosen by the contest committee. Criteria for choosing a regional site will include, but not limited to, club size and proximity to other local sites. The National site is the weeklong competition held at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada.
    
    

1. All regional sites must have a contest for at least two of the three categories. Contestants entering a regional contest will compete against other contestants from other local venues advancing to regional level.
   
   
2. Regional sites shall provide at least 5 judges for each competition. Judges may not be employees of a regional site venue. Judges may not be related to any contestant.
   
   
3. No contestant may enter a regional contest in more than one category. A contestant can however, enter another regional contest and in a different category. All expenses incurred traveling to and from a regional site is the responsibility of the contestant. Some local venues are supplying transportation and lodging costs to winning contestants, but are not required to do so. Check with local venues for more information.
   
   
4. Regional sites are those who have contestants advancing from a local final. Winners of a regional contest automatically advance to the national finals. Contestants, who advance from a regional site, to the national contest, are awarded transportation costs to and from the National Contest plus lodging at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino for the National Finals week by the Regional site club. It is not the responsibility of TALENT QUEST to furnish any contestant travel allowance or accommodations regardless of any regional site not fulfilling its obligation to supply the winning contestants with travel allowance, entry fee or hotel accommodations.
   
   
5. Some local venues choose to advance their winners directly to the National Contest. These sites are not regional sites, but merely local venues that are providing their winners entry fee, (which include hotel accommodations) and transportation costs. It is not the responsibility of TALENT QUEST to furnish any contestant travel allowance or accommodations regardless of any club/venue not fulfilling its obligation to supply the winning contestants with travel allowance, entry fee or hotel accommodations.
   
   
6. All contestants will be scored on the 50 point system. Each regional site shall select no more than 20 contestants nor less than 10 contestants with the best 5 scores, in each music category, for a second or third round of competition. Scores of the first round will be compiled with the scores of the second round to determine a regional site winner in each music category. Some regional sites have three rounds of singing, with the third round scores compiled with the first two rounds to determine a regional site male and female winner in each music category. In case of a tie, a sing-off for the first place only will occur between the contestants tied for first place, and will be scored on the 50 point system. If the sing-off does not determine a winner, the judges will collaborate between each other and determine the winner. A contestant performing due to a tie may not use a song previously used during the final competition.
   
   
7. Song time limits: For regional sites electing to do the 2 round system song time limits are: 1st song limited to 4 minutes and 2nd song time limit will be 4 minutes and 30 seconds. For regional sites electing to do the 3 round system song time limits are: 1st and 2nd song time is 4 minutes and 3rd song 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Songs going over the time limit will be cut off. Judges will be instructed to not deduct points because of a song being cut off.
   
   
8. Regional contests may be held from July 18, 2008 through August 15, 2008. All regional winners information advancing to the National Finals, along with all monies, must be in to TALENTQUEST office by August 20, 2008.
   
   

1. Contestants from prior TALENT QUEST national contests are eligible to enter the 2008 contest at any level, with the exception of the 2007 1st place winners who must sit out for one year in the category they won in.
   
   
2. All notices, rule changes, contestant advancements or other pertinent information will be posted on a bulletin board located near or inside the Pavilion Showroom.
   
   
3. All contestants will sing in two preliminary rounds. No contestants will be eliminated until Friday. First preliminary round will be Monday and Tuesday. Second preliminary round will be Wednesday and Thursday. At or about 8am on Friday the names of 20 male and 20 female contestants advancing from each category will be posted. These 120 contestants will compete in the Friday semi-final round. Times for each round will be posted on a bulletin board located near or inside the Pavilion showroom.
   
   
4. All contestants will have their individual scores from rounds one and two added together to determine which contestants advance to the semi-final round Friday. Top 120 contestant's semi-final round scores will be added to rounds one and two to determine the top 10 contestants in each category.
   
   
5. At approximately noon on Saturday, a notice providing the contestant number of 5 male and 5 female contestants from each of the categories will be posted. These contestants will compete Saturday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. for the national singing championship.
   
   
6. Contestants who advance to the final round will have had to perform 3 songs.
   
   
7. Contestants must use different songs for each of the preliminary rounds and semi-final round. Contestants who advance to the final round may select any one of their previous used songs or choose a fourth song for their final competition.
   
   
8. Contestants may perform the same song as another contestant in any round.
   
   
9. At times contestants will not appear at their prescribed time to perform, thus eliminating them from competition. When this occurs it speeds up the contest process, thus changing the order of appearance time for contestants due to compete. It is the contestant's responsibility to be present when his or her number is called for competition regardless of the estimated and posted start time. Contestants who do not appear when their number is called will not be allowed to advance in the contest. It is suggested that contestants be in the showroom 30 minutes prior to your posted competition time. Contestants must have their song and disc turned into TALENT QUEST emcee's two songs prior to their performance.
   
   
10. Each contestant is required to sign an eligibility/waiver of liability/registration form. Contestants not doing so will not be allowed to advance to the national finals.
    
    
11. Songs used by contestants in the two preliminary rounds are limited to 4 minutes. Songs continuing beyond the 4 minute mark will be cut at the 4 minute mark. Judges will be instructed not to make any deductions due to a song being cut short. Contestants continuing to sing after the time limit and music stoppage will have points deducted from their scores. Contestants will not be able to advance their discs as in past years.
    
    
12. Songs used by contestants in the semi-final round are limited to 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Remainder of rule 11 applies.
    
    
13. Songs used by contestants in the final round are limited to 5 minutes. Remainder of rule 11 applies.
    
    
14. Upon completion of performances in preliminary and semi-final rounds the contestant is given a brief moment to bow and take audience applause, then must immediately exit the stage and take along any props used by the contestant. A delay by the contestant to leave the stage area may result in points being deducted from the contestant's score.
    
    
15. Contestants must sing from a legally manufactured Karaoke CDG. The CDG's must be manufactured and sold on the retail market. Such discs as Priddis, Pocket Songs, Star Tracks, etc., that are void of graphics, are allowed. No laser or other type discs are allowed. No tapes are allowed.
    
    
16. A contestant who approaches any TALENT QUEST representative and attempts to use a "burned" or "pirated" disc will be disqualified from advancing in the competition.
    
    
17. Using "burned" or "pirated" discs is a serious copyright infringement and is against the law. Contestants found to be using "burned" or "pirated" discs at any time during any portion of the competition will be immediately disqualified from advancing in the competition. No Exceptions. This includes open-Mic performances in the Caboose Lounge.
    
    
18. Each contestant is responsible for providing their own discs for competition. There will be a large selection of CDG discs available for contestant use during contest rounds.
    
    
19. Reasonable care is taken by TALENT QUEST, its sponsors, representatives and the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino to provide adequate equipment for contestants. All contestants will be required to sign an affidavit holding TALENT QUEST, any of its sponsors, representatives, or the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino harmless should any problem occur as a result of malfunctioning equipment or disc failure during competition.
    
    
20. Due to time constraints, a disc that fails to play, skip in mid-performance, or has any other malfunction does not give the contestant the right to start over or use a different disc during rounds one and two or semi-final round. The cause of malfunction may or may not be taken into consideration for allowing a contestant to continue. A contestant who has performed a portion of their song prior to any malfunction may or may not have their performance cut short. In the case of such action the judges will be instructed to judge the contestant as though the contestant completed the song.
    
    
21. Contestants, their family members or associates are not allowed to have any contact with any judge during the contest performance periods. Judges on break during a contest period are treated as though they are still judging the contest. Offering bribes of any nature to a judge to help advance a contestant is strictly prohibited. Contestants, do not hang out with the judges, don't drink with them, and don't eat with them. It is okay to say hello when passing them in the hall but, there is no reason for you to develop any kind of relationship with them.
    
    
22. Decisions of the judges are final.
    
    
23. Any contestant, family member or associates who argue the decision of the judges may be considered unruly and the contestant may be disqualified from advancing in competition. Should the argument concerning the judged outcome of a final event, and the contestant be awarded a prize that contestant may be stripped of the prize and such prize awarded to another contestant.
    
    
24. TALENT QUEST will have present, during all phases of the National contest, a representative to answer a complaint concerning TALENT QUEST competitions. No TALENT QUEST representative shall answer a complaint concerning the outcome of a judged event.
    
    
25. Complaints, not made in person, concerning any breach of TALENT QUEST rules must be made in writing and sent by registered mail to: TALENT QUEST, P.O. Box 946, Mustang, OK 73064. A complaint must reach the TALENT QUEST office no later than October 17, 2008 to be considered for action. Such complaint should include all relevant facts concerning such complaint. If the complaint concerns the eligibility of a winning contestant the complaint must include relevant documents. Any statements of fact are to be notarized, including statements by witnesses.
    
    
26. Contest prize money will be paid immediately following the announcement of winners. Any complaint found to be valid concerning the disqualification of a winning contestant will not constitute a right of the contestant next in line to advance or receive additional prize payment until the disqualified contestant has returned such money or prize awarded. It will not be the responsibility of TALENT QUEST or any of its representatives to recover any money or prize awarded a contestant who is later disqualified or found to be ineligible following the final event and decision of the judges.
    
    
27. The order of contestant appearance will be done by random drawing prior to being posted at the Pavilion Theater. Contestants will be grouped into their respective categories for all judged events.
    
    
28. Fairness is the main objective in this contest. To that end the contestants name or number will be the only identifying marker used during the competition. Area, town or location of the competing contestant will not be announced. The exception to this rule will be when making the presentation of awards on finals night.
    
    
29. Prize money is as follows: 1st place in each category is $3,000 plus Trophy, 2nd place is $1,000 plus Trophy, 3rd place $500 plus Trophy. Each 1st place contestant (National Champion) may be offered opportunities as they become available.
    
    
30. No adjustment for prize money will be made for any category regardless of the number of contestants entered for that particular category.
    
    
31. Regional sites are required to supply winning contestants with travel allowance, National entry fee and hotel accommodations. It is not the responsibility of TALENT QUEST to furnish any contestant travel allowance or accommodations regardless of any regional site not fulfilling its obligation to supply the winning contestants with travel allowance, entry fee or hotel accommodations.
    
    
32. Contestants will no longer be penalized for looking up at one of the large screens displaying the graphics for songs being sung during the competition.
    
    
33. Contestants that would like their scores for each round need to e-mail us at singers@talentqst.com. Or send a self addressed stamped envelope to TALENT QUEST - P.O. Box 946 - Mustang, OK. 73064 . Everyone needs to include their contestant number. All requests must reach us by November 1st, 2008. Scores will not be available after this date.