Qualifications

1. Performers must be at least three years old, and a member of the New England Country Music Organization.
2. Competition is open to amateur and professional performers who are not signed to a major label or do not make their living full time as a performer, songwriter, or dancer in the music industry.
3. A parent or legal guardian must accompany all performers under the age of eighteen.

 Performance Guidelines

1. You will have eight minutes to perform.  At seven minutes and thirty seconds, a warning light will flash.  Points will be deducted after eight minutes as follows:  6 seconds over = 2 points, 7 seconds over = 3 points, 8 seconds over = 4 points, etc..
2. You may bring a backup band or recorded music on CD.  CD’s must be clearly marked as to the song(s) to be played for your performance, and must not have lead vocals on the track(s).
3. If you bring a backup band for your performance, you must be able to stand alone as a vocalist, entertainer, or dancer without any interaction with the band.  You will be judged as an individual performer as the band is not really there in the eyes of the judges.  In order for a band to be judged, they must enter as a band.  This will keep the playing field level for all contestants.
4. All entries are final when the NECMO office receives your entry form.  Once the scheduling of contestants has been set, there will be no opportunity for changes.
5. You must perform in one or more of the country, gospel, or bluegrass genres.  Your music may be originals or cover songs.  You must use careful discretion in determining your style of music, or risk penalty.  If you choose songs outside of these styles, you will be penalized.  

Dancer/Dance Team

1. You will have eight minutes to perform.  At seven minutes and thirty seconds, a warning light will flash.  Points will be deducted after eight minutes as follows:  6 seconds over = 2 points, 7 seconds over = 3 points, 8 seconds over = 4 points, etc..
2. You may bring music on CD.  CD’s must be clearly marked as to the song(s) to be played for your performance. 
3. You must perform a country dance (clogging, square dance, line dance, couples country, or buck dance).  No interpretative dance or sign language dance.
4. All entries are final when the NECMO office receives your entry form.  Once the scheduling of contestants has been set, there will be no opportunity for changes.

 Judges

1. Judges will be chosen from music professions. 
2. Judges must not be a Board Member or Officer of the New England Country Music Organization.
3. The decision of the judges will be final.
4. Any judge who is affiliated with a contestant will not be allowed to judge that category.
5. Judges will score each contestant on Quality of Performance, Originality of Performance/Arrangement, Star Quality Performance, Tightness of Performance, Stage Presence, and How well the material reflects Country, Gospel, or Bluegrass.
6. The judges scoring system will be as follows:

1. 6 points = Outstanding
2. 5 points = Excellent
3. 4 points = Very Good
4. 3 points = Good
5. 2 points = Average
6. 1 point = Below Average