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TOM’S SOAPBOX
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14th IS THE NEXT REGION RUMBLE!WANNA RUMBLE? HERE’S HOW!
by Tom Lounges / Publisher & Editor
It is hard to believe, but the holidays are just around the corner . That means that it is “Region Rumble”” season once more.
Despite the connotation of the event’s name, the “Region Rumble”” is NOT a battle of the bands, though there is an element of competition involved.
Let me explain a little about the history of the event and the ways and means all local artists can participate.
I first produced this now annual event at The Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana back in 1998.
The intent was to showcase and show off some of the wonderful original music created here in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland region.
That intent has remained steadfast and unchanged, though one major change has occurred since that first year.
The 1998 event was actually called “Celebrate Local Music Fest”. In hindsight, I realized that sounded pretty wimpy and generic, so in 1999, I re-christened the multi-artist showcase, “Region Rumble”
This event is always OPEN TO ALL STYLES of music! In the past, we have welcomed onto the Star Plaza stage a variety of musical genres –– from blues and country, to rock and metal, to hardcore and bluegrass.
In fact, we try (depending on the submissions received) to make sure that as many musical flavors of the area are featured each year, by trying to keep an equal balance of styles.
Though we try to feature fresh talent each year, sometimes we do repeat artists who have performed on past “Region Rumble” dates. This is usually because they have grown considerably as a band, made major advancements in the local or national scene, or simply because they just plain knocked us and/or the audience out with their previous performance and earned return consideration.
We have already begun taking submissions from regional artists interested in performing a 40-minute set of their original music for this year’s “Region Rumble”, which takes place on Saturday, January 14, 2006.
Musical artists interested in playing at this annual gala, MUST submit their publicity kits/CD demos for consideration.
Each kit MUST contain a 3 or more song demo of your music, a short band bio with names of all current members listed, and a high resolution color band photo (for advertising use should your band be chosen), and of course –– full contact information so we can reach you.
The cut off date for getting your kits and demos in our hands for consideration is November 10th.
We will accept no additional submissions after that date – period.
We average 35-60 artist submissions each year from all over Chicagoland for the “Region Rumble”
As always, only 8-9 bands will make it to the final line-up and play the gig on January 14th, so be warned that the competition for the slots is very tough.
So just HOW are the bands/artists chosen? I’m glad you asked. A panel comprised of Midwest BEAT and Star Plaza Theatre staff shift through the many kits/demos that are submitted.
With plenty of passion, care, arguing and some occasional bloodshed, the panel slowly whittle away at the submissions until only 8 artists are left on the table.
A few runner-up alternates are also chosen, should any of the 8 finalists be unreachable, not able to make their pre-purchase ticket quota, or break up prior to the gig.
ATTENTION BANDS! Before you even bother sending off your materials to us, remember that EACH artist selected by our showcase panel to perform on the “Region Rumble”bill is required to pre-purchase and sell 65 tickets to this event.
Most bands sell well in excess of that number each year, but we must set a 65 ticket minimum to make sure all show costs for presenting this event in the beautiful 3,400-seat Star Plaza Theatre are met.
These costs include a shared backline, full PA and lights, a full professional stage and production crew, ushers, security, etc.
Artists who do not feel they can draw at least 65 people to see them perform at this all ages concert event, are probably not ready to play a venue like Star Plaza Theatre and should not submit materials.
Okay, here is where the competition aspect of the “Region Rumble” comes into play...
The TWO artists who sell the most tickets one week prior to the show date, will win a variety of very cool assorted prizes from various sponsors, including picking their own performance/time slot on the “Region Rumble”
All other performance slots are determined by lottery to be fair to all involved. A member of each band pulls a ticket during the pre-event lottery party held at a local area club
Past prizes for the bands who sell the most tickets has included radio and print advertising packages, recording studio packages, professional photo sessions, retail music store gift certificates, etc.
This year’s prize package is still to be determined, but will be comparable or better than those of past years.
Many artists who have participated at past “Region Rumble” events have been called back to open shows for major artists, so this is an excellent way for the Star Plaza management to check out your group and performance.
Artists and bands who are confident that they have what it takes, after getting this far into the rules and operations of our annual “Rumble”, are encouraged to send in their materials immediately.
To check out a few of the more recent “Region Rumbles,” visit our photo archives on line at: www.midwestbeat.com
Bands! Send your materials to:
REGION RUMBLE c/o Midwest BEAT • P.O. Box 9069 • Highland, Indiana 46322
Tom Lounges spins Region Rock on his Night Rock radio Show every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on X-ROCK 103.9
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