TEEN BAND CONTEST TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP BC'S FUTURE ROCK STARS

VANCOUVER, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - Youthink magazine, Tom Lee Music and 100.5 The Peak FM are launching the second annual BC's Best Teen Band Contest, with over $10,000 in prizes and a recording opportunity up for grabs. The competition gives young bands from across the province a chance to showcase their music, connect with key players in the music industry and educate them on how to advance their music careers.

According to Music BC Executive Director Bob D'Eith, "BC's Best Teen Band Contest is a wonderful chance for up-and-coming teen artists to participate in a process that will help them prepare for a potential career in the music business. The way that the program is designed provides the participants with skills to prepare for them for the next level in the industry."

Prizes and opportunities include:

    
    -   $5,000 cash for artist development ($3,000 for 1st $1,000 each for
        2nd and 3rd)
    -   A recording session with Jay Evjen of Juicemix Productions at The
        Factory Studios
    -   A songwriting session with Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason
    -   A guitar and gift certificates from Tom Lee Music
    -   Tuition to Next Level Learning Centre
    

In 2009-2010, The Knots, a rock band from Coquitlam and New Westminster, beat out over 50 artists from across the province to earn the title of BC's Best Teen Band 2010.

"It was amazing," said The Knots' lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jeff Huggins. "It was the biggest thing we've won ever. It has made a huge difference and has taken us to a much higher level."

The Knots plan to release an EP in 2011 and are showcasing at Breakout West (The Western Canadian Music Awards) on October 23, 2010.

Bands have from now until November 29, 2010 to enter at bandcontest.youthink.ca. The top 10, which will be chosen by a panel of industry judges, will be announced in January. The public will then vote for the top 3. The ultimate winner will be decided at the live finale on April 30, 2011 at Tom Lee Music Hall in Vancouver.

    
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Youthink is a magazine for teens, written by teens. The 80,000-circulation publication is distributed in over 400 high schools in BC and Alberta. For more info, please visit www.youthink.ca/bandcontest.

For further information: Janine Verreault, Editor, Youthink, [email protected], 604-639-3057