NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 19, 2013)—The world famous Wildhorse Saloon’s fifth annual “Battle for the Saddle” band competition, presented by Pepsi, will have an all-new format and even grander prizes this year as bands duke it out on the venue’s Dan Post Boots Stage.
Bands will compete to win a day in the studio with CMA Award-winning record producer Michael Knox, an industry showcase, a photo shoot, an annual contract with the Wildhorse Saloon that includes headlining there during the CMA Music Festival and opening for a national act and more.
The Wildhorse will cull 20 entries down to 10 bands during preliminary auditions on April 30. The remaining bands will then move on to four rounds of competition (May 15, 16, 20 and 21), with two bands being eliminated each week and the final two advancing to the finals on May 29.
“This series is already unique in the way it focuses on bands as a whole and not just the singer or individual band member, but we’re mixing it up this season by introducing band challenges that will give the challenge winner a leading edge in the next round,” said Ron Kerere, general manager of the Wildhorse Saloon.
The new twist on competitions in the 2013 season sparked interest from industry insiders like Michael Knox, CMA Album of the Year winning record producer (Jason Aldean \”My Kinda Party\”), who is granting the winning band some one-on-one time with him. Knox has produced 11 number one country singles for Jason Aldean, and his producer credits include artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Hayden Panettiere (“Nashville” Cast – ABC TV Series), Rachel Farley, Bush Hawg, Chuck Wicks, Josh Thompson, Montgomery Gentry and Trace Adkins.
Along with the new formatting and enhanced prizes, the Wildhorse will bring in the big guns with Premiere Networks’ syndicated morning show duo, Big D & Bubba, who can be heard on more than 50 radio stations by millions of listeners each week. Based in Nashville, the 2007 ACM “National Personalities of the Year” and three-time CMA Award-nominated hosts of The Big D & Bubba Show will elevate the 2013 season to a whole new level.
To be considered for the preliminary audition round, interested bands must submit their EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for consideration at www.WildhorseSaloon.com or www.BigDandBubba.com by Friday, April 19.
Wildhorse Saloon®
The Wildhorse Saloon, located on 2nd Ave. North in historic downtown Nashville, is a venue that has it all with three floors of action-packed fun, nightly live entertainment, Southern smokehouse cuisine, five bars, the largest dance floor in town, regulation pool tables, shuffleboard and more. Designed with TV studio capabilities, the Wildhorse Saloon has been featured on countless television programs since it first opened in 1994. In addition, the venue has been home to TNN’s Wildhorse Saloon Dance Show as well as episodes of CMT’s Can You Duet and Gone Country. Learn more at www.WildhorseSaloon.com.
CONTACT: Jennifer McKell, 615-902-8282, JMcKell@wildhorsesaloon.com