LOGAN, W.Va. - The Coalfield Jamboree was abuzz with excitement Saturday night as Dignity Hospice hosted the Third Annual Southern Gospel Talent Contest. The event is an annual fundraiser for the 501c3 nonprofit organization, based in Chapmanville, WV.

Thirty artists from West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio performed Southern Gospel songs at the remodeled historic MGM theatre in hopes of winning a Nashville recording contract from the Eddie Crook Company.

“All the artists were great this year,” said Mike Collins, Dignity Hospice public relations coordinator and contest emcee. “I am just glad I was not a judge, for there were too many great performers to choose from!”

In the end, nine-year-old Seth Bunting, of Danville, WV, was announced as the overall winner. “I was blown away by Seth’s vocal ability,” Collins said. “But his stage presence and overall professionalism was just amazing. I believe he could have a wonderful future as an Gospel singer and entertainer.”

Dave Wilcox, the president of the Nashville recording company, was one of the judges at the event and had great things to say about Seth. “I wrote on his scoring sheet, before knowing he’d won, that he would be dangerous when he turned sixteen … well, he’s going to be dangerous a lot sooner than that!”

Second place honors went to Zydis Browning, of Accoville, WV, and third place went to the Concords, of Patriot, Ohio. Fourth position went to Melinda “Kitten” Tunnell, of Bandy, VA.

Sponsors for the event were Aracoma Drug in Chapmanville, Steve Nichols Insurance in Chapmanville, Hurley Drug in Williamson, and Woodland Press of Chapmanville.

Dignity Hospice is now accepting entries for the Fourth Annual Southern Gospel Talent Contest, which will be held at the new Chapmanville High School gymnasium on Saturday, April 4, 2009. To get an entry form and contest rules, visit www.DignityHospice.org or call 304-831-4103.