County's talent to be on display July 8

Phillips County has talent, which in itself isn't new news, but how it will be on display on Friday, July 8 at the Milk River Pavilion will be different than in years past.

In a move to increase the types of acts eligible to take the stage, Malta's KMMR Radio station has moved away from the Country Showdown event and this year will host a talent show instead.

"We decided that the Showdown had so many rules on it that it excluded a lot of people that could have possibly entered," said KMMR's Travis Rhoads, who will host the event. "This will be a talent show so entrants could be comedians, jugglers, you name it. Any kind of act as long as it is family friendly."

Rhoads said KMMR hopes the change in the event will encourage more people to show their talents as they compete to win $1,000 in prize money -- $500 for first, $300 for second and $300 for third place. HE said the contest has already received some entries, but added that the more, the merrier. Entry forms for the event can be turned in at the KMMR office on South 2nd Ave East or emailed to [email protected] and must be received no later than Friday, July 1 at 4 p.m.

Doors open at Milk River Pavilion on Friday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. with the show set to start at 7 p.m. Ticket are $8 in advance at KMMR and $10 at the door. Rhoads said the Malta Shriners will be hand selling adult beverages, the Malta Kiwanis will be selling their onion-smothered burgers and he expects more vendors to be added as the day grows closer.

Acts at the show will be given a 10-minute set (though they don't have to use the entire 10-minutes) giving musicians the chance to play a few tunes. Over it's history, the Country Showdown has been held in several different venues – including the old rodeo arena and Malta High School's auditorium – but was moved to the Milk River Pavilion this year in hopes of assisting the acts who take the stage.

"It's sometimes hard to perform with a bunch of people just staring at you," said Rhoads. "Having it at the Pavilion will allow people to have a couple of beers and get up and dance around a little bit."