Talent Quest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Talent Quest
Type Unknown
Founded Chloride, Arizona, United States of America (2001)
Headquarters Oklahoma City, United States of America [1]
Key people Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino, Sponsor (was Ramada Express Hotel and Casino)
Tim Brown, Owner
Bill Keller, Founder
Industry Music
Website www.talentqst.com

Talent Quest is an organization which organizes a singing contest which is conducted in the United States. Singers perform songs with karaoke background music tracks, and are judged by vocal ability, stage presence, and presentation/appearance. Talent Quest as an organization provides criteria, governance, and sponsors the National Finals which are held each year in Laughlin, Nevada.

Contents


[edit] Contest Format

Talent Quest as an organization provides both framework and governance for a series of singing competitions which ultimately culminate in an annual event, known as the Talent Quest National Finals, which is held annually in the United States.

The progression of the competition begins at the Local Level, continuing to the Regional Level, and ending at the National Level.

Although the terms "National Level" and "National Finals" are commonly used, in recent years the competition has attracted contestants from other countries around the world.

The current categories for competition are: Male Pop/Rock/R&B, Female Pop/Rock/R&B, Male Country/Western, and Female Country/Western.

[edit] Local Level

The competition begins at the Local Level, where small venues host the contest over a series of weeks. Although Talent Quest provides the framework and requirements for the Local Level, individual operators have some leeway in the format of the competition with regard to scheduling and rules/limitations specific to their venue. The scoring format remains the same, however.

Local Level competition usually begins in the May time frame.

Local Level competition culminates in the Club Final. Qualifying contestants then advance to the Regional Level.

Oversight and Arbitration of Local Level competition is performed by the Operator or Host of the venue who is managing the Talent Quest package. Escalations are raised to the Regional Director of the area.

[edit] Regional Level

The function of the Regional Level is twofold. In terms of competition, the Regional Level receives the winning contestants of its member Local Level clubs and venues, in addition to self-sponsored entries, and holds the Regional Final competition. The Regional Finals use the Talent Quest approved scoring format, and often include a larger judging panel than the Local Level. At the discretion of the Regional Director, additional prizes may be awarded at the Regional Final.

Regional Finals are generally held in the late July/early August time frame.

In terms of management and oversight, the Regional Director of the competition manages the Local Level and arbitrates escalations from the Local Level operators. The Regional Director is responsible for communication with the Talent Quest Producer to make arrangements for contestants advancing from the region to compete in the National Finals. Escalations at this level are raised to the Talent Quest Producer.

[edit] National Level

The National Finals, as the name implies, is the last series of competitions at which time the winners and finalists are determined.

The National Finals is a week-long event. Contestants who qualified through the competition process receive free rooms at the event for the duration of the week. All National Contestants are issued contestant packets and free gifts on registration day of the competition (t-shirts and other paraphernalia). Registration day is the Sunday which begins the week.

The first two days comprise the first round of competition. Both genre categories compete in the first two days. Contestants report to the auditorium to receive their timeslot assignments at 10:00am when times are posted. Competition begins at 1:00pm and generally ends by 9:00pm, running in two-hour blocks with short breaks in between. The judging panel for round one comprises no fewer than three judges.

The next two days comprise the second round of competition. Depending upon number of contestants, and elimination from round one may take place before round two begins. Once again, both genre categories compete in this time frame. Contestants report to the auditorium to receive their timeslot assignments at 10:00am when times are posted. Once again, competition begins at 1:00pm and generally ends by 9:00pm, running in two-hour blocks with short breaks in between. The judging panel for round two comprises no fewer than three judges.

The Friday of the week is the Semi-Final Round. Based upon prior scores, an elimination is performed resulting in the top 20 of each category, yielding 80 contestants who compete on this day. Semi-Final qualifying contestants receive their timeslot assignments at 10:00am when results are posted. Competition begins at 1:00pm with an allotted 2 hours per category with breaks in between. It is important to note that instead of the random assignments of the prior rounds, the Semi-Final round is broken down by category. The judging panel for the Semi-Final round comprises five judges.

Saturday Night is the National Championship Round. Based upon prior scores, and elimination is performed resulting in the top 5 of each category. Contestants are notified by time and score postings by 1:00pm. The theatre undergoes preparation for show-quality production values during the day. The final round is conducted in a show format, hosted by an MC. The show begins at 8:00pm, and admission is charged for viewers of the competition.

Each category competes in a block of the five contestants, ordered at random. Between each category, celebrity guests give performances.

The judging panel for the National Finals include invited celebrity judges, in a panel of no less than five judges. Scores are tabulated real-time.

Following the rounds of competition, contestants are called back to the stage for standings to be announced and prizes to be awarded. First, second, and third place of each category receive cash prizes. First places receives the largest cash prize and the championship trophy.

Saturday Night and the ensuing post-competition festivities conclude the event for the year.

[edit] Singing and Performance Competition

[edit] Karaoke

Main article: Karaoke

Karaoke in the United States has seen an increase in popularity from the mid-1990s onward.[citation needed] This has given rise to the participation of previously untapped talents among average people who otherwise would not have opportunity to sing in public.

Karaoke originated in Japan, and the term is derived from the words kara, "empty" and oke, "orchestra". Simply explained, karaoke provides background music which a singer may use for accompaniment. With the advent of newer video technologies, lyrics are also printed on screen and highlighted in time to the music.

Due to ease of use and low production cost, many entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, and restaurants host karaoke shows.

In many cases, long-running karaoke venues develop a subculture of hobbyists, ranging from first-timers to hardcore competitive regulars. Venues with a developed karaoke clientele often host contests or other competitions.

These such venues are most likely to host a Talent Quest competition.

[edit] Cultural Evolution of Karaoke in the United States

With the introduction of American Idol in 2002, karaoke and amateur singing has become more a part of the American cultural landscape. American Idol has brought broad exposure of karaoke and singing/performance to the American population at large. Additionally, films such as Duets and to a lesser extent Lost In Translation have featured karaoke prominently.

Competitions such as Talent Quest have benefited from this publicity and exposure. It is from the masses who have become exposed to karaoke and amateur singing that Talent Quest has its appeal. As more and more enthusiasts take the hobby seriously, the competitive aspect of karaoke has come to encompass performance merit as well as vocal ability. Thus, the format of Talent Quest offers the ability to quantify the overall appeal of a performance.

[edit] Difference between Talent Quest and other competitions

It should be noted that the methodology of Talent Quest differs from other competitions such as American Idol or other competitions with a similar format.

The Talent Quest format does not have a target age/social demographic, save for the categories which have been selected. This have the effect of making the competition accessible to those who may for some reason be ineligible to compete in a competition like American Idol. Specific examples are: ineligibility due to age, ineligibility due to musical genre, and the like.

However, members of professional entertainment organizations are ineligible to compete in Talent Quest. This includes the members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, and Actors Equity.

[edit] History

[edit] 2001


The first Talent Quest National Finals was held at the Ramada Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada.

[edit] 2002


The Talent Quest 2002 competition used a category format which was different from today's classifications. The categories were: Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Duet Vocal.

Standing Male Vocal Female Vocal Duet Vocal
1 D.J. Hale, Alamogordo, New Mexico Heather Leslie, Las Vegas, Nevada Tim Parker and Mario Espitia, Prescott, Arizona
2 Tony Johnson, Lompoc, California Nikki Feroni, Syracuse, New York Shaumarie Lewis and David Hayes, Tacoma, Washington
3 Algia Motley, Tinton Falls, New Jersey Jenn Lynne Stottrup, San Jose, California Danielle Dedonno and Algia Motley, Red Bank, New Jersey
4 Satin, San Diego, California June Baxendale, Port Charlotte, Florida Jessica Kenny And Kristy Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
5 [1] Chris Taylor, Syracuse, New York Sarah Priedo, San Francisco, California Joe George And Jason Kirkman, Martinez, Georgia
Notes:
  1. ^  Due to a tie in the semi-final round, Charma Tesh And Burneal Fick of Chicago, Illinois also competed in the Final Round, however were not awarded prizes as they placed 6th Place during the round.


[edit] 2003


The Talent Quest 2003 competition was the first to adopt the two-genre, four-category system: Male Pop/Rock/R&B, Female Pop/Rock/R&B, Male Country/Western, Female Country/Western

Standing Male Pop/Rock/R&B Female Pop/Rock/R&B Male Country/Western Female Country/Western
1 Tim Marchetto, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Paula Harris, Foster City, California Michael Kelly, Salem, Oregon Lauren Dutterer, Salt Lake City, Utah
2 Tony Johnson, Lompoc, California Mary Elizabeth Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah Todd Killingsworth, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tiana, Salem, Oregon
3 Roy Hollis, Jr., Erie, Pennsylvania Kitei Douglas, Orlando, Florida Cholla Robinson, Gloucester City, New Jersey Annie Rhee, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
4 Satin, San Diego, California Kim Daniels, Atlanta, Georgia James Tharp, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Samantha Cook, Elkton, Maryland
5 George Allen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jill Consentino, Oakhurst, New Jersey Willy Marks, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jessica Kenny, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


[edit] 2004


The Talent Quest 2004 competition re-introduced the Duet category; however the category was limited to registration day sign-up only (unlike 2001 and 2002's full cycle competition through all three levels), and competed a single round during the National Finals Week. Also, although it was reinstated as a trophy category, no cash prizes were awarded. The top 2 duet winners did receive the opportunity to perform on the Finals night, however.

Standing Male Pop/Rock/R&B Female Pop/Rock/R&B Male Country/Western Female Country/Western Duet
1 George Allen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jill Consentino, Oakhurst, New Jersey Michael Harris, Salt Lake City, Utah Jessica Kenny, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Larry Pawley and Jerry Perkins
2 Tim Marchetto, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Kim Daniels, Atlanta, Georgia Roy Hollis, Jr., Erie, Pennsylvania Shoni Mero, Brentwood, California Jill Consentino and Tim Marchetto
3 Michael Harris, Salt Lake City, Utah Sharon Sills, Las Vegas, Nevada Michael Kelly, Salem, Oregon Annie Rhee, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
4 Larry Pawley, Roseville, California Nichole Zachowski, Pocono, Pennsylvania Larry Whitlock, Moore, Oklahoma Kristen Sther, Blanchard, Oklahoma
5 Roy Hollis, Jr., Erie, Pennsylvania Nikki Feroni, Syracuse, New York Todd Killingsworth, Norman, Oklahoma Tracy Gillis, Salem, Oregon


[edit] 2005


The Talent Quest 2005 competition saw an increase in contestants over the previous year. Additionally, the competition began to see even more international participation, with a sizable New Zealand contingent in attendance.

Notably, the 2005 competition was the last to be produced by Bill Keller, the founder of the contest, and to be hosted by Karaoke Star, an original sponsor. This was due to the Talent Quest organization and trademark being sold to a new management team, bringing new direction and practices.

Standing Male Pop/Rock/R&B Female Pop/Rock/R&B Male Country/Western Female Country/Western Duet
1 D.J. Hale, Alamogordo, New Mexico Brenda Tuley, Portland, Oregon Greg Grimaldo, Jamul, California Jacey Cornell, Nashville, Tennessee Greg and Michelle Grimaldo
2 Paul Kruse, Jamul, California, California Pam E., Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio Michael Harris, Salt Lake City, Utah Nikki Feroni, Syracuse, New York Michael Harris and Ron Coston
3 Tim Marchetto, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Julie Taale, Auckland, New Zealand Willie Marks, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Tracy Gillis, Salem, Oregon
4 Michael Harris, Salt Lake City, Utah Jacey Cornell, Nashville, Tennessee James Allen Clark, Chapel Hill, Tennessee Michelle Grimaldo, Jamul, California
5 Fred Carter, Longview, Washington Paula Harris, Daly City, California Rob Royce, Albuquerque, New Mexico Tracy Lynn, Salt Lake City, Utah


[edit] 2006

The Talent Quest 2006 competition was the first to be held under the new management of saw was that scores were aggregated through the rounds, thus qualification for the National Finals was determined by the cumulative sum of a contestant's scores of round 1, 2, and semi-finals.

Standing Male Pop/Rock/R&B Female Pop/Rock/R&B Male Country/Western Female Country/Western Duet
1 Michael Harris, West Jordan, Utah Shoni Mero, Brentwood, California Ted Vigil, Tumwater, Washington Ally Wilcox, Nashville, Tennessee Larry Pawley and Jerry Perkins
2 LaVon Johnson, Garland, Texas Sarah McBride, Auckland, New Zealand Paul Lopez, Lawton,Oklahoma Stephanie Sanchez, Pierre, South Dakota The GSC Young Guns - Ray Dog and Raemon
3 Marko Milbourne, Palm Springs, California Pam DelFranco, Edison, New Jersey Lindsay Robinson, Murray, Utah Shoni Mero, Brentwood, California
4 Michael Twigden, Auckland, New Zealand Pam E. Williams, Las Vegas, Nevada Lance McKay, Escondido, California Natalie Green, Invercargill, New Zealand
5 Brian Paladin, Auckland, New Zealand Rachel McCall, Salt Lake City, Utah Michael Harris, West Jordan, Utah Carrie Hamilton, Lynden, Washington
6 Kari Calliln, Shoreline, Washington


[edit] 2007

The Talent Quest 2007 has just been completed as of this writing, and more details will be updated as information becomes available. This year, the venue of the competition and major sponsor was renamed and refurbished as the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino. This change included a major overhaul of the hotel and casino, but the layout (notably the Pavilion Theatre and the Caboose Lounge) remained the same.

Standing Male Pop/Rock/R&B Female Pop/Rock/R&B Male Country/Western Female Country/Western Duet
1 The GSC Young Guns - Ray Dog and Raemon
2
3 Michelle Chevalier, Mountain View, California Shoni Mero, Brentwood, California
4
5


[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Talent Quest Home Page. Retrieved on 2006-07-25.