FROM as early as 6:30 am it was obvious that there would be a record turnout for the Ocho Rios leg of 2011 Tastee Talent Trail auditions.

Persons began to assemble at the Island Village car park anticipating the 8:00 am registration start. At the end of the day 207 persons made it through both the prejudging and final judging tent.

This turnout for the third staging of the Ocho Rios leg audition easily surpassed the 150 in year one — 2009. The Tastee Talent Trial has been a staple on the Jamaican calendar for over thirty years and continues to blaze the trail in unearthing talent across Jamaica.

Judges Oral Tracey and Audrey Reid donned contrasting head wear for Ocho Rios — Tracey wore a cowboy styled hat while Reid choose a wide brimmed straw hat with both vowing to remove them only when they were blown away by an exceptional talent. Following the lunch break, Reid, out of frustration, ditched hers while Tracey persisted hoping for a miracle. It never came.

The first nine performers in the final tent which include the ever consistent returning performer on sax all fell by the way side without creating a stir. It was not until the tenth contestant, a DJ with a vibe that the first lifeline card was handed out.

They were long breaks between lifeline cards, like the stretch between contestants #65 and #96 which caused the person doing these interviews to almost fall asleep.

Those lucky enough to make it on to the next round in a quest for the $1 million cash prize the $250,000 second prize $100,000 third prize and top- end phones from LIME are; Shandisha Adderly (singer), Denna McLeod (singer), Mchines Pirnce (DJ), Jelica Gaynor (singer) Sanjay Dixon (sinjay).

Next audition will be on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Independence Park, Savanna- la-Mar.