Contest Rules

All federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.

1. Eligibility. Tri State Idol contest ("The Contest") is open to U.S. residents. Entrants can participate on an individual basis or as a member of a band of two (2) or more individuals. Entrants must also be amateur musicians and must not be, during Contest period or at time of prize fulfillment and acceptance, a party to any agreement with any record label, production company, publishing company or any third party to any agreement that might interfere with entrant's participation in the Contest. By participating in this Contest, entrants (a) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the interpretations of these Official Rules, and by the decisions of The Herald-Dispatch and Kindred Communications, which are final in all matters relating to the Contest; (b) to release and hold harmless The Herald-Dispatch and Kindred Communications and its agents, employees, officers, directors, successors and assigns, against any and all claims, injury or damage arising out of or relating to participation in this Contest and/or the use or misuse or redemption of the grand prize and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property related cause of action; and (c) acknowledge compliance with these Official Rules. Employees of The Herald-Dispatch, Champion Publishing or Kindred Communications; and each of their respective affiliated companies, subsidiaries, advertising or promotional agencies, and other agents are not eligible. Additionally, the immediate family members of, and anyone living with, said employees are not eligible.

2. Contest Dates. The Contest begins on June 6th, 2008 and ends on July 15th, 2008.

3. To Enter. Log onto www.heralddispatch.com at any time during the registration period, June 6th, 2008 thru June 27th, 2008, to print your registration form and mail it in with your video or audio and the $10.00 registration fee to: The Herald-Dispatch, 946 Fifth Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701, or drop it off at same location, before June 27th, 2008 5:00 p.m.
   
   Registration fee will go to the local MDA Chapter.

   Prizes and odds: Odds on winning depend on number of entries received. Top 6 finalists, chosen by a panel of judges, will perform at the DAWG Dazzle concert at Pullman Square in Huntington, WV on July 4th, 2008. Finalists must choose their songs from a list provided by Kindred Communications, Inc. Practice with selected music will be available.

4. Grand Prize Winner will be selected by public voting, by voting on www.herald-dispatch.com to view the 4th of July performances and vote by donating $1.00 per vote ($5.00 minimum) to the Education Outreach program. Voting will be available July 8th thru July 15th, 2008. Top 3 winners will be announced on July 17th, 2008. Grand Prize winner will receive a price package worth $1,250, 1st runner up will receive a prize package worth $750, and 2nd runner up will receive a prize package worth $500. They will also appear in The Herald-Dispatch and in interviews on The DAWG and The Planet radio stations.

   Free voting. 1 free vote, per person, per day, original ballot only, in person only, by coming to The Herald-Dispatch 946 Fifth Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701 that day, during normal business hours.

5. Details. Submission materials may not include any obscenity, crude or vulgar language, nudity, gang signs, derogatory characterizations, illegal activity or any other content, display, materials and/or images that is or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, as determined by the sponsors, in its sole discretion.

   The 5 finalists must be available to perform at the Dawg Dazzle on July 4th, 2008. If an individual (finalist) need a sound system or a background band at the concert, it will be provided by Kindred Communications.

   If a finalist is not able to perform on date specified, an alternate finalist may be awarded. All travel expenses to and from concert venue are the finalists' responsibilities. In addition, all finalists are required to complete an affidavit of eligibility and publicity release. The top 3 winners are solely responsible for reporting and payment of taxes on prizes.

   The decisions of sponsors regarding all aspects of the contest shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these rules or in other materials relating to the contest.
   
   If you have any questions regarding this contest, please contact Lena Burdette (304) 526-2859 or Phil Stanley (304) 526-6682.