LoneStarPatio Entertainment & The Houston Rag

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2009

“THE BATTLE OF SAM”

2009 BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITION AT THE SHOWGROUNDS AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Unsigned Bands Invited to Compete For Opening Slot with National Act for the Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 6, 2009

            HOUSTON (May 6, 2009)—Are you ready to rock? The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park (www.theshowgrounds.com) is looking for the area’s best unsigned bands to participate in the inaugural “Battle of Sam” 2009 Battle of the Bands competition for a chance to win $1,000 cash prize, music gear and a coveted opening slot alongside one the national acts playing the Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series.  The final showdown will take place on the Bud Light Stage at The Showgrounds on Saturday, June 6. 

            Tickets are $5 in advance.   The Battle of Sam is included in the $99 Showgrounds Season Pass, which provides one general admission ticket to each of the Saturday post-race concert events (excluding festivals). 

            Bands will be required to complete the registration form, available online at www.theshowgrounds.com, and email forms to BattleofSam@shrp.com by Friday, May 15.

            Twenty bands will advance to the semi-finals and will be notified by May 18.   Semi-finalists will be required to sell tickets to the event with the top selling band earning the right to select their performance slot.  A total of 10 bands will be selected the day of the show to perform before a panel of industry judges, who will determine the winning band. The winner will be announced that night following the competition.  Bands will be judged on crowd participation, stage presence, instrument & vocal ability, songwriting ability and attendance.

            The winning band will receive: $1,000 cash prize, $1,000 retail value music gear, 20 hours of studio recording time, professional photo shoot and press kit, online marketing through MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, and the opportunity to open for a national act this summer at The Showgrounds.

            In addition, all semi-finalists will be eligible to participate in a Rock Band Challenge, as part of the Value Day entertainment on the Pavilion Apron stage between live racing events. 

            The “Battle of Sam” 2009 Battle of the Bands is presented by Houston Press.

            The 2009 Verizon Wireless Summer Concert series on the Bud Light stage, takes place most Saturdays May through August 2009, and features general admission tickets for $15; as well as a $69 Fun 4-Pack, just $17.25 per person, which includes 4 concert and racing admission passes, 2 live racing programs, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas.  

            Concert tickets provide FREE admission to The Park’s “Value Day” which features live races every Saturday, entertainment, free giveaways, carnival rides, a sand box area for kids, midway games, Verizon Wireless misting tent, interactive vendor booths and a variety of hot food off the grill, beers of the world, frozen margaritas and more!

            Tickets are available at www.theshowgrounds.com, www.livenation.com, at participating Houston-area Randalls locations, The Showgrounds box office or by calling 800-211-3381. 

            Live Nation is the future of the music business.  With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”   Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the “About Us” section.

            The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s favorite outdoor entertainment venue featuring performances from national recording artists across all genres of music, as well as high-profile festivals and special events.  The all-ages venue hosts annual Country, Classic Rock and Alt Rock concert events throughout the year.  For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.theshowgrounds.com or call 800-211-3381.