THIRTY years on and the Tastee Talent Trail — Jamaica’s longest and most successful talent contest — has, as it did in 2007, undergone major changes.

The first prize has been doubled to $1 million in cash, with $250,000 going to the second-place winner, and $50,000 for third place. In addition, the series which has introduced some of Jamaica’s biggest stars, in the form of Nadine Sutherland, Beenie Man, Yellow Man, TOK, Brain and Tony Gold and Glacia Robinson, has changed both its host and its panel of audition judges.

Comedy star Elva takes over as host from Trecia ‘Sparks’ Spence, while audition judges read like a who’s who of Jamaican personalities: Oral Tracey is the lone male and will be flanked by actress Karen Harriott and Timberlee.

Elva has carved a place for herself on the local comedy scene with her sharp, witty delivery and facial expressions.

Oral Tracey has been known to push the envelope in his Sports Commentary and will bring his acidic tongue to the final judges’ tent.

Karen Harriott, in keeping with character will be Karen, while the young and effervescent Timberlee will add to the mix.

With major sponsors Tastee and Pepsi, the Trail will open with two dates in May — The first in Portmore and the second in May Pen.

Thereafter, the Trail will include Ocho Rios in June, Savanna la Mar in July, Montego Bay in August before ending in Kingston in September.

The Grand Finals are set for December 9, at the Tastee Open Air Theatre in Cross Roads.

There are other significant changes to the format of the 2010 staging of the Trail, which will be announced shortly.