(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The countdown is on. LAUNCH will blast off at James Clemens High School on March 20.

“LAUNCH will be an epic exposition of entertaining acts,” parent volunteer Casie Joens said about the talent show. “There will be bands rockin’, singers and dancers that will be sure to get your toes tappin.'”

Mojo from WZYP’s “Mojo Radio Show” will emcee the event in the James Clemens auditorium at 6 p.m. Admission is $5. “The very talented and witty Mojo Jones will assure a fun and exciting environment for this unique competition,” Joens said.

“Last year’s show brought out some amazingly talented acts from all over the Tennessee Valley,” Joens said. “The difficult job of judging these young people will be left to an elite panel of local celebrity judges.”

Directed by Keith Anderson and Stuart Tankesley, James Clemens Band is sponsoring LAUNCH. “This year’s LAUNCH is going to be even bigger and better than last year’s,” Anderson said. “We’re lining up a great panel of judges, and we are very excited about our audience participation vote this year.”

“As successful as the event was in its first year, this year’s show is set to take LAUNCH to the next level,” Anderson said.

LAUNCH is open not only to James Clemens students but also to all middle and high school students in the greater Madison/Huntsville area, parent volunteer Michele Brashear said. Auditions were open to rock bands, singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, jugglers and magicians, among others.

Winners in each talent category will receive a $100 cash prize. The grand prize will be $500. “This year, we will also have a new category of winner, the ‘Fan Favorite.’ Be sure to come and cast your vote,” Brashear said.

For more information, email to fundraising@jcjetsband.com.