Press release from Pigeon Forge:
For the third consecutive year and with a virtual twist, Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) wants to help local entertainers take their careers to the next level with the Pigeon Forge Path To Fame Virtual Talent Competition. The grand champion will claim a prize package that includes tools to help launch the winner’s own path to fame, including a virtual career consultation with country star Craig Morgan.
In previous years, Path To Fame traveled with a team of talent scouts to various markets in the Southeast. To accommodate restrictions and venue closings due to Covid-19, the talent competition has been reengineered to accommodate video auditions.
“We know that performers were affected by the economic shutdown and operating restrictions necessary to combat the spread of Covid-19,” said Pigeon Forge Executive Director of Tourism Leon Downey. “Pigeon Forge’s theater community would like to help those performers, along with other talented folks, by bringing the Path To Fame Virtual Talent Competition online for 2020. We hope easy access to the competition will encourage performers to make a video and take advantage of this great career-building opportunity.”
While the Pigeon Forge Virtual Talent Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 who fits the search criteria, officials have designated four hometown markets for this year’s auditions: Asheville, North Carolina, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Huntsville, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Contestants may showcase their talent in one of four categories: vocalist, instrumentalist, comedian and specialty act. Individuals and groups of five or fewer can may compete. All contestants must register and submit an audition video following the contest rules and regulations to be eligible to win. More information and details to enter are available PFFame.com.
Judges will select four finalists to represent each of the hometown markets. The 16 finalists will compete for the grand champion title and the prize package that includes 12 monthly consultations with a Nashville-based talent executive and a virtual meeting with Broken Bow Records country music star Craig Morgan.
Broken Bow Records recording artist and a Grand Ole Opry member, Morgan has strong ties to Pigeon Forge. The Tennessee native served as master of ceremonies at the award-winning Country Tonite show before finding success in country music. Morgan is best known for the hits “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Almost Home” and “Redneck Yacht Club.” Most recently, he released his “masterpiece of an album” (People), God, Family, Country, which debuted Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, Craig’s World recently premiered on Circle Network and follows Morgan at home and on the road as he and his tight-knit family navigate triumphs and challenges while developing businesses, writing hit songs and balancing a country music career.
A proud Army and Army Reserves veteran, Morgan will share his music industry insights and experiences with the 2020 Path to Fame Virtual Talent Competition grand champion.
The grand champion prize package is comprised of career-building tools, including a one-year mentorship with Nashville-based talent executive John Alexander who discovered Kelsea Ballerini and spent more than a decade at Great American Country television network. Alexander will assist in establishing consultations and industry meetings for the grand champion. Additionally, the winner will perform in Pigeon Forge during a complimentary return trip and receive assets and experiences to advance his or her career. To view the complete grand prize package, visit PFFame.com.
The 2019 Path to Fame winner, singer Grayson Thurman, has performed at two Pigeon Forge theaters and at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa’s Lyrics and Lore festival. A vocal performance major at Belmont University in Nashville, Thurman also has met with industry executives through Alexander’s mentorship.
“We’re thrilled to work with Craig Morgan this year in part because he also began his own ‘path to fame’ in Pigeon Forge,” said Downey added. “Given the success of Path to Fame Talent Competition over the past two years, we’re eager to discover more talent this year, and we hope the virtual nature of this year’s contest will encourage even more people to audition.” Pigeon Forge helped launch the careers of Janelle Arthur, Carly Pearce, and Mandy Barnett.
Follow the Path to Fame Talent Competition at Facebook.com/MyPigeonForgeTN or Instagram.com/MyPigeonForge. More information and rules and regulations for the Path to Fame Talent Competition can be found at PFFame.com. More information about visiting Pigeon Forge is available at MyPigeonForge.com.
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