The organizers of the LDS Open Audition contest say every entry will be reviewed, even if thousands of CDs are submitted.
Sonja Eddings Brown, one of the organizers, said she knows very well how one performance can change a person's life. She was 17 and attending Bountiful High School in Utah when she got a break that led to a career as a performer and producer.
"Everybody deserves a chance," Brown said. "This is a great pathway for somebody."
Brown expects a great response to the call for talented LDS individuals who will compete for the chance to sing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium on Mormon Night, Aug. 6. The winner will receive a $1,500 prize, VIP game tickets, a video of their performance and an audition with Shadow Mountain Records.
To prepare for hundreds and possibly thousands of entries — in the first week there were 650 inquiries about applications — Brown and her staff are putting together a large panel of musical experts who will sift through them. The panel includes Michael McLean, Sam Cardon and possibly Gladys Knight.
The first open, live audition will be in July, sponsored by the Southern California Public Affairs Council in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Deseret Book.
Contestants, 18 and older, must record themselves singing the national anthem along with a popular song of their choice. A photo and a bishop's recommendation are also required. Entries must be received by the audition committee by June 15. Those interested can download an application from DeseretBook.com.
Those submitting a CD/DVD must be able to get to auditions in Salt Lake City or in Los Angeles if they make the final 50, and also to the game. They must have performed previously in public.