Kenny Chesney is seeking country's "Next Big Star"

Hard Rock International is partnering with country music’s reigning “Entertainer of the Year” Kenny Chesney to discover “The Next Big Star” in country music. Celebrating the release of the music veteran’s 13th album Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, local bands will be given the chance to kick off Chesney’s 2008 summer tour Hard Rock style! On Tuesday, May 13th, Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, CA will host a battle of the bands contest to find Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star.

Beginning in May, and continuing throughout the duration of Chesney’s 2008 Poets and Pirates Tour, select Hard Rock Cafe locations across the country will host a series of competitions where local artists can compete for the chance to perform as opening act for the tour in the artist’s respective market. A panel of four judges, including XM radio “Highway 16” personality Jon Anthony, local celebrity Gretchen Bonaduce and Karl Sanger, Sales/Marketing Manager for Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, CA will evaluate each competition. In addition to performing as opening act for Kenny Chesney, one lucky band will win the grand prize – $25,000 cash and the opportunity to audition for RCA Records Vice President and A&R, Renee Bell.

Committed to its “Love All, Serve All” creed, Hard Rock will donate proceeds from “The Next Big Star” events to PLAN!T NOW – an organization that empowers coastal residents to mitigate disasters in severe storm and hurricane-prone regions by being prepared. PLAN!T Now provides outreach, resources, and connections among people in coastal regions in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, to create a dialog and understanding of the power of preparedness. Kenny Chesney is proud to serve on PLAN!T Now's board of directors. Learn more at www.planitnow.org.

What: Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, CA Hosts “The Next Big Star”

When: Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
9 p.m. Event begins

Where: Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood
1000 Universal Studios Blvd., #99 Universal City, CA
818-622-7625

Admission: Free
Ages 21 and older welcome

For further information, please visit www.hardrock.com.

About PLAN!T NOW
Plan!t Now is a charity that empowers coastal residents to mitigate disasters in severe storm and hurricane-prone regions by being prepared. Plan!t Now provides outreach, resources, and connections among people in coastal regions in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, to create a dialog and understanding of the power of preparedness. For more information, contact Talin Kalfayan at 1-866-264-6702 or via e-mail at talink@planitnow.org. Learn more at www.planitnow.org.

About Hard Rock International
With 127 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 48 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; and Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011. Hard Rock Park, the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park, is located in Myrtle Beach. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.