Local tunes, tones and strums.

Organizers of the first annual Manitoba Country Voice amateur talent show say the event will be a great showcase of local musicians and a chance to help encourage and build up Portage la Prairie area artists. The show is scheduled to take place March 25 at the William Glesby Centre in Portage la Prairie.

The lineup of Jennifer Rey, Calvin Turko, Jessica Lukin, Krista Rey, Brittany Thomson, Tessa Lavallee, James Patterson, Jordan Aymont, Josie Byers and Travis Rintoul was announced in January after a video audition process narrowed down the field of competitors all taking their shot at the $500 dollar first-place prize.

"They're all amateur singers, but really talented singers," says Manitoba Country Voice organizer Charlie Brennan. "Some of them will be performing with their own guitars to back them up, and some will be using karaoke tracks."

"I think people can expect a really good night of entertainment."

The event will feature a similar setup to television audition shows like "The Voice" or "American Idol." A three-person panel of judges, Doc Walker's Chris Thorsteinson and Dave Wasyliw, and singer and recording artist Kimberley Dawn, will assess each competitor.

"They will be sitting a table probably in the centre of the room and have certain categories they'll be judging contestants on like: audience interaction, vocal range and stage presence," Brennan explains. "It will be kind of similar to The Voice."

The event is mainly about supporting local talent, Brennan adds. "It would be really nice to support all the talent around here, cause there's a lot of it. If they get the support, then we can do it again. We're going to make it an annual affair."

More information on Manitoba Country Voice is available here.