KSRW

Official Contest & Judging Guidelines — KSRW-FM

1. Overview & Competition Framework

This document sets forth the official evaluation rules and judging criteria for contests hosted by Sierra Wave Broadcasters, LLC on KSRW-FM. To ensure a balanced and comprehensive selection process, contenders are evaluated across six core judging categories.

Each category assesses distinct facets of talent, market presence, performance skills, and community engagement.

2. Core Categories for Judging

Category 1: The Popular Vote

• Weight / Focus: Listener engagement and fan support.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Total verified online votes and call-in/text responses collected through official KSRW-FM digital channels during the designated voting window.

  • Consistency of listener support throughout the voting period.

• Rules: One vote per unique registered user/IP address per calendar day. Any automated, bot-driven, or fraudulent voting methods will result in immediate disqualification of suspect votes or the participant.

Category 2: The Station Panel (DJs & Program Directors)

• Weight / Focus: Radio readiness and professional standards.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Technical Quality: Audio production standard, mix quality, and broadcast readiness.

  • Professionalism: Responsiveness, station rapport, and readiness for station integration or promotional activities.

Category 3: The Expert Panelists (Judges)

• Weight / Focus: Technical craft, artistic merit, and industry standard.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Musicianship & Originality: Composition, lyrical depth, arrangement, dynamic control, and artistic uniqueness.

  • Execution: Precision in performance, vocal/instrumental delivery, and overall artistic polish.

  • Critical Impact: Industry potential and standard of excellence as assessed by guest industry professionals and featured judges.

Category 4: TikTok & Social Virality (The Wildcard)

• Weight / Focus: Digital footprint, audience reach, and creative content strategy.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Engagement Rate: Total views, shares, comments, and organic interaction on official contest-tagged content on TikTok.

  • Creative Execution: Originality of short-form video creation, story-telling, and promotional hustle.

  • Virality Factor: Ability to trend, drive fan-generated content (UGC), and expand reach.

Category 5: The Interview

• Sub-Heading: It isn’t just about the music. Do you have what it takes to be the legend?

• Weight / Focus: Personality, star quality, and media presence.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Charisma & On-Air Presence: Articulation, quick wit, authenticity, and command of the room during on-air or recorded interviews.

  • Storytelling: Ability to communicate your journey, brand, and vision clearly to the Eastern Sierra audience.

  • Star Quality: Professional composure under pressure and the intangible “it” factor that transforms a performer into a legend.

Category 6: The “Live Night Voting Jar” (Event Night)

• Weight / Focus: Real-time stage presence and crowd impact.

• Location: Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse (Bishop, CA)

• Date & Time: Mid-January (Exact date and time to be announced by KSRW-FM)

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Live Performance Impact: Stage presence, crowd connection, and energy during the showcase night.

  • Physical Ballot Count: Attendees will deposit official event tokens/ballots into each contender’s designated voting jar at the conclusion of the performances.

  • Rules: Ballots are distributed exclusively to ticketed attendees or patrons present at Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse on the night of the event. Jars will be sealed and tabulated by Sierra Wave Broadcasters staff immediately following the final performance.

3. General Terms & Disqualifications

• Eligibility: Participants must comply with all standard Sierra Wave Broadcasters, LLC contest rules.

• Final Authority: Decisions made by the Station Panel and Expert Judges are final and binding in all aspects.

• Conduct: Unprofessional conduct at the live event or online may result in immediate forfeiture of points across all categories at the station’s sole discretion.

4. Legal Release, Indemnification & Hold Harmless

By submitting an entry, participating in the contest, or performing at any contest-related event (including the showcase at Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse), all participants, contestants, and attendees agree to the following terms:

• Indemnification & Hold Harmless: Participants agree to defend, indemnify, release, and hold harmless Sierra Wave Broadcasters, LLC, KSRW-FM, production partners including Laughing Parrot Productions, event host venue Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse, their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, sponsors, and judges (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, causes of action, suits, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to:

  1. Participation in any phase of the contest or related broadcasts.

  2. Attendance or performance at any event location, including Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse.

  3. Personal injury, bodily injury, death, or property damage occurring during or in connection with the contest or live event.

  4. Any claim of intellectual property infringement, copyright violation, or unauthorized use of name, voice, image, or likeness.

• Assumption of Risk: Participants voluntarily assume all risks, known and unknown, associated with participating in the contest and performing live at venue locations.

• Media & Publicity Release: By participating, contenders grant Sierra Wave Broadcasters, LLC, KSRW-FM, and Laughing Parrot Productions a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to record, broadcast, publish, stream, redistribute, and use their name, voice, interview audio, musical performance, image, and social media/TikTok submissions for promotional, commercial, and broadcast purposes across any media platform without further compensation or approval.