Thursday, March 8, 2012

Billboard.com and Chevrolet launch band battle

Billboard.com and Chevrolet are giving 18 up-and-coming bands from across the country a chance to compete for the gig of a lifetime: a road trip to Las Vegas and a live performance at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards.



The winning band will be determined by consumer votes, fan engagement and live performances through a “Cruze-ing To Vegas” road trip contest that launches today on Billboard.com and presented by Chevrolet.



Through March 27, fans can visit www.billboard.com/battle to view and listen to each band, watch videos and cast their vote by region. Voters are automatically entered to win two tickets to the Billboard Music Awards, along with hotel accommodations and airfare.



Based on votes, six regional finalists will receive the keys to an all-new Chevrolet Cruze – Chevrolet’s No.1-selling passenger car – for a road trip that takes them from their home base to Las Vegas. There, on May 17, a battle of the bands competition determines who will be honored and perform at the awards, to be televised on ABC. Last year’s show was quite a remarkable platform for any artist, let alone a developing act. With ratings of 2.9 among Adults 18-49, the Billboard Music Awards helped ABC win the night beating even the season finale of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice on NBC.


“The talent at last year’s Cruze-ing to Vegas competition was incredibly strong, and that was before we showed the world how amazing the Billboard Music Awards were, and what kind of platform it would be for an emerging band," said Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde. “What we’re already seeing this year in terms of talent and diversity of acts is nothing short of amazing. I can’t wait to unleash a new superstar on the world.”



“We’re thrilled to be so deeply involved in one of the hottest music shows there is,” said Kevin Mayer, director, Chevrolet Advertising and Sales Promotion. “Chevrolet wants to help emerging artists achieve their dreams; after all, most of today’s superstars got their start driving from gig to gig in hopes of being discovered.”



Billboard editors identified three bands from six regions of the U.S. based on several factors, including Heat Score, a formula that measures online fan engagement and drives Billboard’s Uncharted chart of emerging artists. They are:


Northwest

Savannah Outen, pop vocalist, Hillsboro, Ore.
J. Rice, R&B vocalist, Seattle, Wash.
The Scene Aesthetic, indie pop duo, Seattle, Wash.


Southwest

Saints of Valory, rock, Austin, Texas
Courrier, alternative/indie quartet, Austin, Texas
Macy Maloy, singer/songwriter, Denton, Texas


Midwest

Gemini Club, electro pop, Chicago, Ill.
Take the Day, pop/rock, Milwaukee, Wis.
Drew 32, rap, Detroit, Mich.


Northeast

Collin McLoughlin, electro soul songwriter, Bedford, N.Y.
Patent Pending, pop/punk, Mount Sinai, N.Y.
Hollis Brown, singer/songwriter, Queens and Brooklyn, N.Y.


West

Nude, pop punk, Hollywood, Calif.
Joseph Vincent, singer/songwriter, San Fernando Valley, Calif.
Doe Eye, singer/songwriter, San Francisco, Calif.


Southeast

Fit for Rivals, rock punk, Jacksonville, Fla.
Buck Ford, country, Nashville, Tenn.
After the Smoke, rap duo, Tallahassee, Fla.

The six finalists will document their journey as they “Cruze” to Las Vegas, and fans can travel along via www.Billboard.com/battle. A camera crew will follow their every move as they play gigs along the way, rock out to Cruze’s standard XM radio and connect with fans through blogging, Tweeting, and creating personalized playlists as they strive to improve their social Heat Score.



Once the finalists reach Las Vegas, they’ll prepare for May 17 battle of the bands competition to determine who plays on live TV.



The 2012 Billboard Music Awards are presented in partnership with Chevrolet Cruze. For more information on “Cruze-ing to Vegas,” visit www.Billboard.com/battle.

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