Talent Quest Official 2008 Local Contest Rules
*** ABSOLUTELY NO BURNED CD's OR CDG's ALLOWED - NO EXCEPTIONS ***
Using "burned" discs is a serious copyright infringement and is against the law.
Contestants may bring in their own karaoke CD.
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. The “Pop” category consists of any music type other than country, except rap. In this contest, rap is not considered singing, it is an art.
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. Contestants are allowed to perform in more than one category at the local level. If they win the local finals in more than one category, they must select only one category before going to regionals. The second place winner of the other category would then be allowed to proceed to the regionals. Again, a contestant will only be allowed to compete in one category at the regional level.