THE JUDGING PROCESS: CLASSIFICATION
There will be two categories for the competition: Group One will include Gospel, southern gospel, country gospel, bluegrass, traditional, and inspirational entrants; and Group Two will include Christian rock, alternative, praise & worship, and contemporary entrants. For purposes of classification for the Contest, Group One will be classified "Inspirational" and Group Two will be classified "Contemporary." Although entrants will have the opportunity to self-classify their genre, it will be at the discretion of the representative(s) from Godflower Records to make final determination as to which classification fits the genre of the entrant for Contest purposes. Sign in will begin on Friday June 12th at 10:00 am. Registration can be done online or onsite at the Festival Office directly ahead of the Alpha Stage (The Sam Yanen Memorial Pavilion). Online registrations and/or mailed registrations must be received by 9:00 am EST on Friday June 12. Onsite registration will close at 12:00 noon on Friday June 12. Faith & Family Ministries, Godflower Records, the Ohio Valley Christian Music Association and/or their associates, subsidiaries, and/or partners are not responsible for late, lost, or otherwise disqualified registrations.
THE JUDGING PROCESS: ROUND ONE
In Round One, all entrants from each group will perform at least one song of the entrant's choosing before a panel of judges on Friday June 12 in the Contest Tent. The number of judging panels will be determined based upon the number of entrants and time restraints for judging. There will be at least two judging panels (one for each Group) in Round One. Each panel will choose a specified number of entrants to pass along to Round Two. The list of finalists will be announced Friday evening on the Alpha Stage.
THE JUDGING PROCESS: ROUND TWO
Round Two will take place on Saturday June 13 in the contest tent. In Round Two, each finalist will share a brief faith testimony (up-to three (3) minutes) with an introduction to their song, and perform at least one song of the entrant's choosing before a panel of judges, which will include at least one representative from Godflower Records. The judging panel will choose a specified number of entrants from each of the two Groups to pass along to the final round (Round Three). The finalists to advance to Round Three will be announced on the Alpha Stage on Saturday June 13.
THE JUDGING PROCESS: ROUND THREE
Round Three will take place on Saturday June 13 on one of the three main stages. In this final round, the finalists will each perform one song of the entrant's choosing before a panel of judges and complete an on-stage interview by the panel. The two winners (one from each Group) will be announced Saturday evening on the Alpha Stage and will have a chance to perform on one of the three stages during the Festival.
PRIZES AND AWARDS
One entrant from each of the two categories (Group One and Group Two) will win a recording contract with independent Christian recording label Godflower Records, have a song recorded to be marketed to local Christian radio, and receive one year free membership in the Ohio Valley Christian Music Association (OVCMA). The two winners will also each win two backstage passes to meet one of the National Acts after their performance at the Festival, and a CD prize pack courtesy of Integrity Music. Runners-up will also be considered for membership in the OVCMA and at least one representative from Godflower Records will be present and participating in the judging. So even if an artist does not win the first prize contract, there is a strong possibility of getting a foot in the door for a contract with Godflower Records. Runners-up will also receive a CD prize pack courtesy of Integrity Music.
CONTEST QUALIFICATIONS
Rules and regulations apply. Prizes are non-transferrable and non-separable, and the winner(s) will be selected and prizes awarded at the exclusive discretion of the Judging Committee(s). Entrants must sign the official DOVES OF PRAISE TALENT SEARCH / CONTEST application / release and pay the non-refundable entry fee ($10.00 U.S. funds) in order to participate. Applications must be received by the time onsite registration closes. Entrants must be legal residents of Ohio (OH), West Virginia (WV), Pennsylvania (PA), Kentucky (KY), Indiana (IN), or Michigan (MI), and be willing to utilize their musical ministry with the general public in the geographical region known as the Ohio Valley (eastern Ohio and western West Virginia along the Ohio River). Applicants must not have an existing contract with another recording company and/or label. This contest is intended for independent, nonprofessional aspiring Christian artists. In order to claim prizes, winning entrants must also be willing to accept one year free membership in the Ohio Valley Christian Music Association (OVCMA), and at least three years subsequent membership at the then-current membership rate, and negotiate a recording contract with Godflower Records and the terms that apply therewith. Entrants must be of legal age to enter into a contract with Godflower Records. Entrants under the legal age may have a parent or legal guardian sign the required application(s) and contract(s) on the entrant's behalf. Proof of qualification may be required.
ENTRANT QUALIFICATIONS
The 1st Annual Doves of Praise Talent Search and Show is open to vocalists. Entrants may be soloists, duos, trios, quartets, or another form of multiple vocalists. This particular Contest is not for bands or instrumentalists.
Entrants may use live instrumentation for their entries as long as the instruments are easily portable and able to be completely setup within 60 seconds. Live instruments are expected to be tuned prior to the entrant's entry to the stage. Pre-recorded tracks on CD or other digital form are expected to be clearly marked with the entrant's name, song title, and track number. Pre-recorded tracks on cassette or other analog form are expected to be cued to the beginning of the track and clearly labeled which side to play. Pre-recorded selections must be in the hands of the Contest Coordinator by the time onsite registration closes. Entrants should be prepared to perform at least three different selections, one for each round of the judging process. The judging committee reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any song selection at their sole discretion. Entrants should have several songs prepared to perform in case one or more of their selections are disqualified. Entrants may not perform a song that they have already performed in a previous round. Entrants are encouraged to diversify their selections to demonstrate vocal and creative versatility. For the purposes of the Contest, the entrant shall be understood to be the collaborative unit of all vocal performers on the stage during the judging process. Prizes are awarded to the entrant as a whole and may not be claimed by any divided portion of the entrant. In other words, if three vocalists perform as one entrant, all three people must collectively claim the prizes and accept the terms associated therein. If any member(s) of a collaborative entrant refuses at any point to accept the terms of the application, release(s), and/or contract(s), the entire entrant will be disqualified.
SONG SELECTION
Artists performing and/or recording original material maintain all songwriter's rights and copyrights. All material performed at the Doves of Praise Talent Search / Show must be Christian in nature, meaning that it must be Christ-honoring, uplifting, and ministry-oriented. The basis for the determination of whether material meets this criteria is at the sole discretion of the Judging Committee. Secular (non-ministry-oriented) material will not be accepted in the Doves of Praise Talent Search / Show. The winning entrants must agree that material recorded for Godflower Records also be Christian in nature, as defined above. Artists may choose to perform with or without accompaniment, whether it be live instrumentation or pre-recorded ("canned") accompaniment. Pre-recorded tracks must not include vocals.
The judging process may be recorded on audio and/or video by authorized personnel, as determined by Godflower Records and Faith & Family Ministries, Inc. By entering into the contest, entrants agree to have their likeness and performance recorded for these purposes, and that said performance will be the property of Godflower Records and/or Faith & Family Ministries, Inc. Godflower Records is an independent label featuring independent Christian artists. Artists who join the Godflower label retain their independent status and complete artistic control over their ministry except for that which is outlined specifically in the contract with Godflower Records. Violation of the terms outlined in the application / release / contract may constitute a breach of contract and result in a complete or partial forfeit of prizes, awards, and / or benefits.
This is a partial list of the rules and regulations governing the Doves of Praise Talent Seach / Show. Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice up until the beginning of Round One. Full rules and regulations will be available soon on the Godflower Records and Faith & Family Festival websites and a final copy will be available at the Festival Office on the Festival grounds at the time of the Contest.
