W.Va's Finest is a talent competition for singers and singing/rap groups in the state of West Virginia. The Bottling Works is hosting the regional audition sessions. Four of the 2007 winners came from the auditions in Romney. You can hear them and others in a special Showcase Concert on Saturday, August 23 at 8PM. Admission to that concert is $10 (under 12 free.)

2008 auditions will take place Saturday, August 23 at 4PM and Sunday, September 14 at 1PM.
     Semi Finals and Finals will be held in downtown Charleston November 20-22, 2008. The top twenty scorers from each area will go to Charleston in November to compete. Individuals and groups will be competing for cash, prizes and the right to be called one of West Virginia's Finest. There will be a winner in each of five categories:
1. R&B/Jazz/Blues
2. Country/Folk
3. Pop/Rock
4. Gospel
5. Hip-Hop/Rap

  Sign up to audition in Romney, Saturday, August 23 or Sunday, September 14. Call 304-496-8201 or e-mail wvafinest@thebottlingworks.com to get on the list (those who do will still need to sign agreement to the rules that follow, and pay their entry fee, so arrive no later than an hour before the start of the auditions). Be prepared to sing two songs with karaoke CD/soundtrack accompaniment for the judges. Do not bring CDs with vocals already recorded as these make it difficult for the judges to evaluate the competitor's vocals.

Contestant Rules

1. Contestants must be 12 years of age and older to enter the competition.
2. Contestants must be legal residents of West Virginia or attending a college in West Virginia.
3. Individual singers and singing/rap groups with no more than five people may enter the competition.
4. Singing/Rap groups must include each member of the group in their presentation.
5. Contestant registration fees are non-refundable.
6. The individual registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for youth (12 to 17). You may enter more than one category, paying the entry fee for each category entered, and if qualifying to go to the semi-finals, must choose one category to compete in.
7. The group registration (Two or more constitutes a group.) fee is $40 for adults and $30 for youth between 12 and 17.
8. All contestants must audition.
9. Contestants must have background music tracks on CD or may sing acappella. No instruments or bands allowed for accompaniment. (Prepare two songs to sing.)
10. Absolutely no vulgarity or profane lyrics or gestures will be tolerated. Failure to abide by this rule will result in removal from the competition.
11. All contestants must be amateurs or unsigned artists unaffiliated with any working record label, independent or otherwise.
12. Contestants will be judged on stage presence, vocal quality and vocal interpretation.
13. Contestants may not heckle or harass other contestants either verbally or physically. Doing so will result in removal from the competition.
14. Contestants may not consume alcohol or illegal drugs during the competition. Anyone found using alcohol or illegal drugs or having them in their possession within the competition venues will be removed from the competition.
15. Contestants making it to the final rounds of competition must wear proper attire during the show. Bare midriffs, micro minis and "wife beaters" are unacceptable.
(Each contestant will be asked to sign an agreement that he/she understands each of these rules and will abide by them.)

Individuals wishing to listen to the auditions will pay a $3 admission fee.