Hard Rock International is giving local bands throughout the U.S. the opportunity to make their rock dreams become reality with Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands! Local bands will be given the chance to perform onstage at Hard Rock Calling 2010 – one of the U.K.’s most-anticipated concert events. Rock legends Pearl Jam and Paul McCartney will headline Hard Rock Calling in June – the first concert of Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock Tour, a global concert series featuring top artists and bands to benefit charities worldwide. Other featured artists at Hard Rock Calling include Wolfmother, Ben Harper & Relentless 7, The Hives, The Gaslight Anthem and more.
Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, FL will hold its Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands competition with preliminary rounds on April 8, 15 & 22 and the finals on April 29. Winners from the three preliminary rounds will compete to be Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood’s winner and representative in the global competition. For rules and entry into the competition, please visit www.hardrock.com.
Are You Ready to Rock?! Legendary Judges Chosen
Beginning April 5th, select Hard Rock Cafe locations across the country will host a series of competitions where local bands can compete for the chance to perform onstage at Hard Rock Calling 2010 in London’s Hyde Park. After battling it out at select Hard Rock Cafe locations, one winner from each participating city will be evaluated by a panel of artists and music industry professionals, who will choose the finalists.
Leading the distinguished panel will be Head Judge Little Steven Van Zandt of the legendary E Street Band. The panel will also include Doug Brod, editor of SPIN Magazine; Toby Leighton-Pope, Vice President of Promotions, Live Nation UK; and 2009 Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands winner Rudy Vaughn of The Rudy Vaughn Band. The final stage of the competition will then be turned over to the fans, who will be able to vote for a favorite on www.hardrock.com between May 25 and June 6. One lucky band’s dream will come true when they win the ultimate rock prize and earn a spot on the bill at Hard Rock Calling!
“Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands is an incredible platform for bands to gain international exposure on one of the most famous stages in the U.K.,” said Little Steven Van Zandt. “I am proud to be part of the program and give a listen to the winners from each city – based on last year’s talent pool, I know there’s going to be some ferocious competition, baby!”
Visit www.hardrock.com for details on event dates and times, and go to Hard Rock Cafe in your city to watch your favorite local bands battle for the opportunity of a lifetime!
Participating Hard Rock Cafe Locations:
Atlanta Hollywood, FL Myrtle Beach Pittsburgh
Biloxi Honolulu Nashville St. Louis
Boston Houston New Orleans San Antonio
Chicago Indianapolis New York San Diego
Denver Las Vegas Strip Niagara Falls Seattle
Detroit Louisville Orlando Toronto
Hollywood, CA Memphis Philadelphia
Hard Rock Calling 2010
Hard Rock Calling, the three-day musical celebration being held on from Friday, June 25th through Sunday, June 27th, with more than a dozen top bands performing each day on two stages, has established itself as one of the most important London events on the UK musical calendar over the last four years. Past acts have included Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Neil Young, The Killers, Roger Waters, The Police and The Who. Additional artists for the 2010 line-up will be announced leading up to the event and tickets for the festival are available at www.hardrockcalling.com.
Ambassadors of Rock 2010 Sweepstakes
Fans can also register to win trips to Hard Rock Calling and other exciting Ambassador of Rock Tour stops around the world, including airfare and first-class hotel accommodations by entering the global sweepstakes on www.hardrock.com. The Ambassadors of Rock 2010 tour will include shows featuring top artists in Los Angeles; Biloxi; Las Vegas; Dubai; Orlando and Hollywood, Florida; Singapore and London.
For further information, please visit www.hardrock.com.
About Hard Rock International
With a total of 162 venues in 52 countries, including 130 cafes and 13 Hotels/Casinos, 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, Bali, Macau, Penang and Singapore. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Punta Cana, scheduled to open in 2010; Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Atlanta, Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.