Talent contest deadline Aug. 23

The talent contest is part of the 2007 Dottie West Music Fest, set for Oct. 6 and 7 at the Warren County Fairgrounds. Entry forms are available at various sponsor locations, including the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Homeland Community Bank, Myers Communication, Medley’s Classic Diner, WBMC and WCPI radio stations, Warren County Furniture, and Antiques & the Arts. Also, entry forms can be downloaded from www.dottiewestmusicfest.com

Up to 20 contestants will compete in the semi-finals from 4-6 p.m. Up to 10 will advance to the finals later that evening. First, second and third-place winners will be awarded cash prizes, certificates, and Dottie West T-shirts. The First-place winner will be invited to perform on Jack White’s critically acclaimed radio show, ‘The Sucarnochee Revue,’ which airs on several radio stations in several states. Vaughn cited the importance of the talent contest as ‘a wonderful way to honor the late, great Dottie West by recognizing and rewarding emerging talent.’ He added that ‘media and music industry presence will provide great exposure for all those who perform in the contest-not just the winners.’

Fellow Dottie West Music Fest organizer, Bill Myers, stressed the need for more local talent entries.

‘Dottie West loved McMinnville and Warren County. We’re blessed with an abundance of talent in this area,’ said Myers. ‘We need to showcase it by getting as much talent as we can to enter the talent contest. Who knows? There might even be another Dottie West or Kenny Rogers out there somewhere, just waiting for their chance to shine.’

Mail entry forms by Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 to: Thomas B. Vaughn, Dottie West Music Fest, Country Talent Contest Coordinator, 212 Morrison St. McMinnville, TN 37110.