CONTEST CORNER

The folks at The Opera House, 7th & Brook Streets in Mitchell, Ind. are holding their Third Annual Country Music Talent Search.

Twenty acts will be selected, with early applications receiving first consideration.

Dates are Friday and Saturday, May 12-13, with six semi-finalists competing on Saturday night for the Top Country Music Talent.

The winner will receive $200 cash, a trophy and a booking at the Opera House. A best band will be also be selected.

Second place wins $150 and third place winner takes home $75.

The deadline for applications is April 15. For further information call (812) 849-2337.

Billboard has unveiled its Second Annual Song Contest for unknown songwriters, and promises that more than $100,000 in cash and other prizes will be presented.

The contest is open to anyone who earns less than an average of $5,000 per year from songwriting. There are seven categories: Country, Jazz, Gospel, Latin, Pop, Rhythm and Blues, and Rock. The winner in each of the categories will receive $5,000 cash. A $25,000 grand prize will be presented to the writer of the song that is judged to be the best of the seven winners.

In addition to prizes of cash and equipment, Capitol Records will record and release four of the category winners, and the songwriters will have the option of signing a publishing contract.

Entry form requests should be addressed to: Contest Processing Center, P.O. Box 35346, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-0346.