By Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Inga Stewart sang while the guests mingled.

On Tuesday evening, a vintage car was on the street end of the red carpet which led into the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston. At another end, Inga Stewart crooned Crazy into a large retro-style microphone and, in the auditorium itself, Romain Virgo and Jodi-Ann Pantry were presented in old Hollywood fashion, big-band music, dancers and all.

Host of the launch, Kiki, told those gathered for the official presentation of the Digicel Rising Stars 2008 season that 'big' and 'extravagant' were associated with old Hollywood and could be applied to the fifth anniversary season of the talent show.

And when Digicel's Michael Hogan gave details of the plans, part of the 'big' was six auditions, including new stop St. Thomas, where the season starts on Saturday, April 26, at the Paul Bogle High School. A week later, it is Manchester High in Mandeville, then Club Inferno, Montego Bay, on May 10.

The auditions go to the Portmore Heart Academy, the other new stop, on May 17, the Hibiscus Lodge, Ocho Rios, is on May 24 and the final audition is at the YWCA, Kingston, on Saturday, May 31.

All auditions will be held indoors.

And the winner, who will receive $1 million, will be announced on Friday, October 3. Second place gets $600,000, and third place $400,000.

See more details from the launch later this week in THE STAR.

Digicel's head of Corporate Affairs Yvonne Wilks (left) speaks with Rising Stars judges Nadine Sutherland (centre) and Clyde McKenzie. - Peta-Gaye Clachar photos

Last year's winner Romain Virgo (right) and runner-up Jodi-Ann Pantry perform in 'old Hollywood' style.

Digicel Rising Stars series producer Sharon Schroeter (left), the programmes executive producer Michael Hogan (centre) and judge, Nadine Sutherland.

TVJ's Kay Osborne (left) and RJR Communications Group chairman Lester Spaulding embrace.