POINT PLEASANT — The 31st Annual Texaco Country Showdown is coming to Point Pleasant.

The preliminary contest will be held on Saturday, June 30 during the Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta. Competition begins at 6 p.m. at the Riverfront Park and 12 will be chosen to compete on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Gallia County Junior Fair in Gallipolis. Cash prizes will be awarded at that time.

The contest is open to vocal and/or instrumental performers and welcomes individual acts or groups with up to seven members to compete. Acts also must not have performed on a record charted in the top 100 country format of Billboard, Radio and Records, or the Gavin Report within 18 months preceding local competition.

WBYG “Big Country 99” will host the Texaco County Showdown, America’s largest country music talent search and radio promotion. Approximately $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded nationwide including the Grand Prize of $100,000 cash to the national winner, presented at the national final televised special.

Designed to find the most promising country music talent in the United States for the past 30 years, the Texaco Country Showdown gives aspiring artists a chance to launch their professional careers. Thousands of performers compete annually for the Country Showdown title.

Each year, hometown talent contests sponsored by over 500 local radio stations across the country pave the road to stardom. Local winners advance to over 40 state contests where the prizes include $1,000 in cash and the opportunity to compete at one of five regional contests in the fall.

The five regional winners receive an expense-paid trip to the national final to compete for $100,000 and the coveted national title.

“We consider the Texaco Country Showdown one of the most anticipated events in country music each year,’” said Tom Payne, program director. “It is an exciting community event that provides aspiring artists in our area an opportunity for state, regional, and national exposure while promoting a great appreciation of country music. We are pleased and proud to join local sponsors in the 31st Annual Texaco Country Showdown.”

A $20 entry fee is required of all acts entering the Texaco Country Showdown competitions produced by participating country music radio stations. To ensure fairness, a uniform judging system is used on all levels of competition. Entry forms are available at WBYG, 303 8th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 or by calling WBYG at 304-675-2763.