NORTH ADAMS - Warm up your voice, practice your favorite ballad and prepare your most fabulous outfit, Berkshire County crooners.

"Berkshire Idol" is back.

Based on the wildly popular Fox television show "American Idol," the third annual singing competition will pit local performers against one another in a battle that will see two first-prize winners - one in the youth (ages 10- to 15-years-old) category and one in the adult (16 and up) category.

"It's amazing to see how many people in the area like to sing. They just come in off the street with these amazing voices and it's just so much fun," said Joelle Brookner, the event's co-organizer.

Auditions for the contest have been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Church Street Center and 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. Interested contestants must prepare a 30-second a cappella piece. Judges will select the participants for a second round, from which finalists will be determined.

Judges will choose contests from each category to continue onto a semi-final round on March 1, also at MCLA. From there, six contestants will move onto the finals, for a chance to win $1,000, studio time at Skyboro Sound and the honor of being crowned "Berkshire Idol."

Last year, more than 200 Berkshire County singers auditioned and were judged on vocal quality and stage presence.

The March 29 final will be hosted by Albany's Tred Hulse, a 99.5 FM-The River's "The Morning Show" disc jockey. Returning for a third year as judge is John Souchak, a record industry veteran with more than 20 years experience in the music business.

This year, country singer and Drury High School graduate Lita Williams will join the judging panel, taking a break from her music career in Nashville.

The 2008 Berkshire Idol winner in the 16-to-adult category will receive $1,000 and four hours of studio time at Skyboro Sound. The winner of the younger age category will receive a $1,000 savings bond ($500 cash value) and four hours of studio time at Skyboro Sound.

An event to raise money for charity, this year's Berkshire Idol competition will benefit the Family Life Support Center/Louison House in Adams, by working with the Northern Berkshire United Way. Each semi-finalist is required to raise at least $100 to be donated to the non-profit, who was also the recipient in Berkshire Idol's debut year.

"[The Louison House] is such a worthy cause. They really provide a resource for all of Berkshire County," said Brookner. "The real value of Berkshire Idol is definitely raising money for a charity and those of us that are on the organizing committee are completely inspired every year by those who are sincerely there to help a cause."

Top fundraisers will receive prizes, including one week at Vacation Village (a $1,400 value), an iPod and a karaoke machine.

In 2007, the contest raised more than $20,000 for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the Elizabeth Freeman Center, the Berkshire Food Project, and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Berkshire County.

As auditions approach, Brookner said the best way to prepare is to practice, practice, practice.

"Choose a song that you're really comfortable with and one that the audience and the judges know," said Brookner. "It goes a long way to come and seem really confident."

For complete rules and more information, visit www.iberkshires.com/berkshireidol. Or drop by the Hoosac Bank locations on Main Street in North Adams or Williamstown to sign up in person.