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Hard Rock Hotels and Hard Rock International has always been devoted to musical
endeavors, whether it involves showcasing the hottest, already proven talent
in the world or discovering new stars destined to shine. Once again, Hard Rock
Rising, the most extensive band search and contest is in progress, sponsored
by Hard Rock and partnered withReverbNation (a substantial and effective network
of musical artists), and it is simply exploding with energy and expertise.
I had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock International Head of Music & Artist
Relations John Kirkpatrick about this life-changing contest.
CS:
Last year over 10,000 bands entered the Hard Rock Rising Band battle
spectacular. Was the number even higher this year?
JK: More than 12,000 bands signed up for Hard Rock Rising 2013 during this year’s
registration phase.
CS: Was last year the first year that Hard Rock held
this contest? How many years has this contest been going on?
JK: In 2009 and 2010, Hard Rock hosted the Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the
Bands in the US, and of course, cafes and 2011 was the first year we partnered
with ReverbNation and expanded our battle of the bands to a global focus. Aside
from the Hard Rock Rising global program, Hard Rock Cafes have been hosting local
band battles for years.
CS: How did this band battle come about/what was its origin?
JK: We wanted to support locals artists and give them an opportunity on a global
scale.
CS: Is this the biggest battle of the bands contest in Florida or South Florida?
In the country?
JK: Hard Rock Rising is the world’s largest and most far-reaching battle
of the bands competition.
CS: There will be live competitions in participating
Hard Rock locations around the world. What are some of the major cities? How
many locations in Florida?
JK: There are 96 participating Hard Rock locations around the world. The full
list can be found on the Hard Rock Rising Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hardrock/app_277689795620799
CS: How did you end up partnering with ReverbNation
for this contest?
JK: The influence of Hard Rock’s iconic brand combined with ReverbNation’s
extensive worldwide network helped to create the Hard Rock Rising partnership. |
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CS: Approximately how many FB votes did the contest garner last year? Are you
expecting even more this year?
JK: Nearly one million votes were cast by fans around the globe in 2012.
CS: Between the FaceBook voting, the live competitions, the second FB voting
and final decision, over how many weeks/months does this competition process
take?
JK: The call for entries phase of Hard Rock Rising began on January 7th and
plan to announce the grand prize winner in May.
CS: Was it a hard decision last year? Was it a close vote?
JK: It’s always a difficult decision when so much talent is involved.
Luckily, the fans narrowed it down for us to a top 10, then an industry panel
reviewed those final 10 and through detailed scoring, a decision was made.
This year, the fans will narrow it down to a Top 25.
CS: What are the main characteristics that the judging is based on?
JK: Musicianship, Marketability, Voice Talent and Originality
CS: Are bands eligible if they have cut any cd’s in the past and/or sold
any?
JK: Any band can enter the Hard Rock Rising competition, whether they are just
starting out or have years of experience.
CS: Was last year’s winner successful as far as their video and record
deal? Can they be seen in any venue’s in the country lately? Will they
be playing at one of your live competitions this year?
JK: We’re working on a few things currently with last year’s winning
band Hey Monea!, and past winners from 2009 and 2010 are still actively working
with us. The band, Rosco Bandana from Biloxi, MS, is currently touring and
promoting an album they produced with Hard Rock Records and it’s pretty
cool to see and hear how well they are being received.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been completed so far and Phase 3 is now in full swing.
Phase 1 consisted of the Entry period, during which thousands of bands sent
in their applications and videos to be considered in this legendary battle
of the bands. Musical groups from all over the world, including China, India,
Greece and Peru hopefully sent in their admissions and, in Phase 2, were selected
by FaceBook fans to perform live for a chance to win thousands in prizes. Fifty-two
bands from Florida alone were selected from Key West to Tampa.
Phase 3 began February 18th and will continue until April 15th. This phase
is the Judging Period #1 in which the selection of Local Finalists begins in
participating Hard Rock locations. Then on April 22nd and lasting until May
1st is the second Fan Voting Period. This voting portion will be also on FaceBook.com
and will reduce the finalists to 25. These lucky 25 will be up for consideration
between May 2nd and May 5th during the Judging Period #2 and by a panel of
qualified judges that were preselected by the sponsor and may include celebrities
and/or professionals in the music industry. Then finally on May 6th the Grand
Prize winner and two runner-up winners will be announced.
The Grand Prize winner
The Grand Prize winner will play a World Tour in cities including
Sydney, Tokyo, London, Chicago and Honolulu, record an album with Hard Rock
Records; shoot a music video; and receive new music equipment and gear valued
at $10,000. Two runner-up bands will each receive new music equipment and gear
valued at $10,000.
“Hard Rock is eager to uncover another pool of budding talent and provide
them with an international stage to showcase their talents,” said John
Kirkpatrick, Head of Music & Artist Relations, Hard Rock International. “We
hope the continued success of this program will catapult an emerging band to
success and introduce their sound to Hard Rock’s worldwide audience.”
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