Audtion for statewide talent search Feb. 18

Didn’t make the cut on “American Idol”? Still kicking yourself for never trying out for “Star Search”? You have another chance to make it big, thanks to a statewide talent competition.

Livingston-based Music Ranch Montana is hosting “Montana Hometown Caravan,” which will be produced as a television show that will air on Montana FOX stations. Northwest Montana residents can audition Monday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell, where auditions will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The competition is like “American Idol” or “Star Search,” but features only Montana musical and artistic performers, according to a press release from Music Ranch Montana. The contest is designed to give local amateurs a fair chance at a show business career.

Auditions will also be held in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, and Butte. The acts that make the cut will perform on stage at Music Ranch Montana in Livingston, where the TV show will be recorded in June.

The show is slated for screening at 11:35 p.m. Saturday nights, starting in August. It will be available on FOX stations in Montana and will be carried on DirecTV, Dish Network and cable systems statewide. “Montana Hometown Caravan” will also be available for viewing at www.mtcaravanshow.com.

Competitors will be divided into three age brackets: 6 to 9 years, 10 to 16 years and 17 to adult. A winner will be chosen in each division.

Those winners will be determined by viewers. Over the course of 26 weekly shows, viewers and visitors to the website will vote for the performers they want to advance.

The winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Paramount Studios in Hollywood, where they will receive a full-production recording session of their performances pieces, which will be compiled into a high-definition color DVD and distributed nationwide. Winners will also be introduced to music talent agents.

There is no cost to audition or perform on the program. The program is totally underwritten by Music Ranch Montana in Livingston.

To apply for an audition slow, visit the website or call producer Richard Rosanova at (406) 220-0347.