The Nye County chapter of the Nevada Country Music Association (CMA) has been holding a karaoke contest for the past two months in an attempt to get the association recognized and bring business to the local bar scene.

The contest is winding down. The only competitions left are the semi-finals scheduled for 6 p.m. May 5 and 7 at K-7 Lounge on Hafen Ranch Road, and the finals on tap for 5:30 p.m. May 16 at the Maverick Saloon and Dance Hall on Mesquite Avenue.

The contest is not without participation awards. The first-place winner will get $300, second place will be $200 and third place will pay $100. All three winners will get plaques to commemorate the event.

Terri Rogers, spokesperson for the CMA said the competition hasn't garnered as many contestants as first hoped. "I don't think people who like to sing karaoke like to be judged on what they are doing for fun," she said. The draw has been four to six people competing at each of the contests held throughout the valley.

The judging is rather formal. Rogers said, "We are using panel judging techniques. Contestants are awarded merit on a point scale."

Contestants have been judged on a scale of one to 10 on their vocals and one to 20 on overall performance and stage presence. Audiences get to watch but not vote.

The judges are members of CMA and all of them have sung, been in bands with vocals or are active musicians in the community.

Rogers said she thinks rigors of the competition have limited the participation of contestants. "We have selected competitors from each of the karaoke contests to be in the semi-finals," she said. "The finals will be a field of 10 contestants." There will be five judges for the final event.

The final competition will consist of two songs from each of the competitors when the event winds down at the Maverick.

Admission for the finals is $5 at the door. The competition starts at 5:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will take place around 7:30.