HUNTSVILLE — After a very successful first round of auditions, organizers of the Walker County Fair Country Music Star competition are making a change to the semifinal show on March 27.

“Due to the overwhelming response from contestants, we are moving the semifinal show time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” event organizer Steve Fox said. “After the second round of auditions Saturday, we expect to have from 25 to 30 contestants performing in the semifinals.”

New contestants advancing after the March 6 auditions include, Kal Hooper, 62; Johnny Noel, 55; Mona Peck, 57; Jason Golley, 32; Kyla Martin, 20; Erynn Novak, 20; Brandon Stiles, 20; and Megan Menteer, 19.

Those eight contestants will join nine returning finalists from 2009, including Donnie Smith, 28; Destinee Hedspeth, 22; Cassie Karm, 22; LaDawn Taylor, 26; Amanda Johnson, 20; Travis Ross, 20; Makenzie Brame, 17; Lee Williams, 16; and Alyson Brame, 15.

“We have about 15 more signed up to audition this Saturday,” Fox said. “The 2009 finalists, except for last year’s winner Lela Hightower, are automatically given a spot in the semifinals this year.”

This Saturday’s round of auditions, taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Walker County Fairgrounds, will be the last opportunity for contestants to participate in the live country music talent show.

Today is the final day to enter, with applications and a $10 entry fee being accepted at Town and Country Cleaners, located at 1715 11th St. in Huntsville.

“We want to give as many as possible an opportunity to audition,” he added, urging contestants confirm their audition time when submitting their application.

“If they do not confirm their audition, contestants could arrive too early and risk waiting several hours to perform,” he said.

Fellow Country Music Star organizer Joe Leggett joins Fox in  overseeing the auditions, helping to narrowing down competitors to the top 25, who will appear at the semifinals on March 27.

From the 25-30 expected semifinalists, a panel of judges and the audience will cast votes for the top 10 contestants, who will perform at the final show on April 3 at the fairgrounds during the final night of the Walker County Fair.

“Our judges this year include Conroe singer Laura Turner, musician and business owner Laurie Harrelson and singer/songwriter Joe Miller,” Fox said. “There also will be one guest judge each night joining the panel, to be announced later.”

In addition to participating in the live Walker County Fair event, Country Music Star contestants also will have the chance to win one of three cash-included prize packages.

The first place winner will receive $750 in cash and prizes, including a single-song demo tape, courtesy of Hilltrax Studios. The second and third place winners would receive cash and prizes valued at $500 and $250, respectively.

“Another unique prize will be a Ventura guitar,” Fox said. “It has been donated by One Music Square and signed by a number of Texas Country artists — thanks to the Jolly Fox Club.”

Entry forms for the competition are available at Cavender’s Boot City, Doc’s Place, Fatboy’s and Town & Country Cleaners, all in Huntsville, or online at www.walkercountyfair.com.

Current sponsors for Country Music Star include: B&R Productions, Cavender’s Boot City, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Fatboy’s, First National Bank, Gulf Coast 4-star Trailers, KSAM Radio, One Music Square, Sonic Drive-In, Subway, Walker County Hardware and Wiesner-Huntsville.

For more information, or to sponsor the event, contact Leggett at (936) 662-3995 or Fox at (936) 661-2254.