KY3/KSPR/CW and the City of Springfield are proud host the second annual “Great Route 66 Talent Search” competition in 2024. We’re on the lookout for singer/songwriters, dancers and others age 18 and older who have what it takes to bring people to their feet at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be discovered by industry professionals who scour local and regional festivals and the internet for America’s next great talent.

Eligibility:

The competition is open to all legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of older at the time of entry and who live in the KY3 viewing area. Viewing area includes Missouri and Arkansas Counties: Greene, Polk, Dallas, Webster, Christian, Howell, St. Clair, Cedar, Dade, Lawrence, Barry, Carroll, Newton, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Ozark, Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Shannon, Texas, Wright, Laclede, Camden, Pulaski, Phelps, Dent, Hickory, Stone, Taney, Benton, and Boone.

Two Competition Categories:

  • Amateur
  • Professional (one who earns money by performing)

Official Rules

Please download and fully read the official rules, as you are agreeing to them by entering the Great Route 66 Talent Search.

Prelims

Registration is now open. Entry will consist of the following:

  • Completed, online entry form on this page.
  • Completed and signed Publicity Release and Waiver. For groups, a separate waiver should be completed for each person in the group. Please return via email to: SErnst@ky3.com
  • ONE video in an approved format showcasing your act. Multiple performance videos will not be viewed by the judges, so please choose your favorite and upload only that one. Audio only files such as .mp3 don’t meet the competition requirements.
  • The performance video must be actual, motion video of a performance of your talent. Slideshow style “videos” comprised of static images and audio don’t meet the competition guidelines.
  • Video file should be named “lastnameFirstname.mov or .mp4” (Examples: “swiftTaylor.mov” or “swiftTaylor.mp4”).  Otherwise, it may impossible to associate the form submissions with the correct video.
  • Format should be either .mp4 or .mov with a total run time not longer than 3 minutes.
  • We STRONGLY RECOMMEND the video showcases a full, live performance. Acceptable videos include simple raw footage of artist performing or more elaborately produced videos.
  • Optionally, each act may upload a single, personal testimonial video (same formats and parameters as the performance video) to give fans and judges a better perspective of the artist(s) behind the talent.
  • There is no cost to register.
  • The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. (CST) Friday, August 2, 2024.

Festival organizers will review all submissions and select acts in each of the competition categories to advance to the semifinals.

Semifinals

A panel of four local judges, well versed in the entertainment industry, will review the videos of the semifinals and determine 10 professional acts and 10 amateur acts to advance to the final live competition. Competition criteria include:

  • 25% showmanship
  • 25% execution of performance
  • 25% general audience appeal
  • 25% technical skill

In cases of ties, the general audience appeal score will be considered. In semifinal rounds, judges will use the same criteria, however, at least three of the four judges must vote for performers to advance, in order for contestants to be selected for the final live round to take place at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival.

Finals: LIVE competition at the Birthplace of Rt. 66 Festival

Saturday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m.

The Top 20 chosen artists will perform in front of the panel of judges and a live audience on the Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks Stage at the Historic Shrine Mosque, 601 St. Louis (where Elvis and Bob Dylan once performed!) Winners will be selected from each category to “advance” to the America’s Got Talent audition by way of a “guaranteed front of the line pass” to attend a virtual open call audition in one of the official casting call locations.