The talent quest – held in honour of the late country music legend who called Cessnock home – is on at East Cessnock Bowling Club on March 4 and 5.

Starting each day at 9am, Mo Award-winning show band Roadhouse will perform and provide backing music for contestants.

Sections include 10-years and under, youth (11-16 years), 17 years and over, gospel, duo-group, comedy song, original country song and country instrumental.

Each section has trophies for first and second place, and with each first-placed performer will then be eligible for the grand final, in which they will need to perform a different song for the judges.

Grand finalists will have shot at the major prize of a two-track CD recording at Sound Lab Studios Tumbi Umbi (with the expertise of Roy Cooper), a fully-produced CD plus 500 copies for promotional use.

The major prize is valued at $3000, courtesy of East Cessnock Bowling Club.

Reg Lindsay’s widow Ros says the talent quest will be sure to uncover some wonderful talent from all over the country.

“Via his two television shows – Reg Lindsay’s Country and Western Hour from the Channel 9 studio in Adelaide and Reg Lindsay Country Homestead from Channel 9 in Brisbane – he presented some of Australia's best new talent who are still in the entertainment industry to this day,” she said.

Entry fee per section is $10. Entry forms can be obtained from the club on 49901 444 or online at www.reglindsay.com.au. 

Mrs Lindsay said a huge weekend is planned with top entertainment plus the chance to see the next big country star.

“There will be a lucky door prize plus the very popular hat raffle!” she said.

Entry for general public is $5 adults, $3 children and pensioners, and free entry for children under 10.

The talent quest will be held almost two years to the day since the bronze statue of Reg Lindsay was unveiled at East Cessnock Bowling Club.

Take a look back at photos from the unveiling ceremony in the gallery below.