Demos due for 'Utah Next'

A statewide talent search is under way for "Utah's Next," a sort of Beehive American Idol. The winner will be awarded a four-song demo with Highway Records, to be recorded at Platinum Lab Studios in Bountiful.

Demo video submissions are due Friday. All applicants must be 16 or older. For rules and how to submit a video, go online to www.utahsnext.com.

Approximately 30 contestants will be chosen to perform closed auditions for record executives and music-industry insiders, from which 10 will be singled out to perform during a March 27 concert at the University of Utah.

The concert will be co-hosted by Highway Records artists Julie de Azevedo and Alex Boye. They will also be among the panel of judges that will, along with the concert audience, choose three finalists.

The three will then perform on KTVX/Ch. 4's "Good Things Utah" program the week of April 12, where TV viewers will vote online and a winner will be announced at the end of that week.

The competition is co-sponsored by the University of Utah, "Good Things Utah" and Highway Records.