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The Best Damn Roadhouse Band

in

Texas

All Comers Band Contest
sponsored by

The Waterhole Saloon
5244 Highway 71 E. Del Valle, TX, 78617 (512) 247-5119

Created, produced, and hosted By
Steve Power 

With support for independent artists from these fine companies

Flashpoint Recording Studios

Genz Benz

Clock Right Studios

Shine Studios

Eclectica Recording

Cedar Fever Studios

RadioZendo.com

TTerra Nova Digital Audio

StringThis.com

A PORTION OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS



Beginning Wednesday, August 26th ,The Waterhole Saloon will begin the search for The Best Damn Roadhouse Band in Texas.
The contest is open to all musical genres and styles.  There is no entry fee for the bands and there is no cover charge for the fans.

There will be 8 weekly contests with four bands performing each week.  We are currently in our 4th week.  Each band will perform for 20 minutes, originals or covers, however the idea is to show originality. Judging will be done by ballot of the audience and the winner will be determined by them. The more folks you can bring to support you the better your chances. 

Preliminary Rounds

All weekly winners will qualify for the Penultimate Playoff.  All weekly winners will receive a gig at The Waterhole Saloon with a guaranteed $100 fee, free food, and a $50 bar tab.

SEMI-FINAL

The Penultimate Playoffs will consist of four bands for each of the two contests.  The bands will play for 30 minutes each with again the audience voting to determine the winners.  The Penultimate Playoff winners will qualify for The Playoff. They will also receive a gig at The Waterhole Saloon with a guaranteed $150 fee and a $50 bar tab. 

THE PLAYOFF

Wednesday, November 11, 8:30

THE WINNERS!!

SIX SONS OF A GUN

Runner Up

SOUL KITCHEN

You can hear the entire set from the Playoff by clicking on the band name above.

 

GRAND PRIZE

24 Hours Free Time at Historic Flashpoint Recording Studios

1 1/2 hours Free Time at Terra Nova Digital Mastering

One Song Video by Radio Zendo

12 Sets of Martin Guitar Strings, 6 Sets of Bass Strings,6 pairs of Drum Sticks from StringThis.com

$200 Gig at The Waterhole Saloon

Playoff Runner-up

12 Hours Free Time at Clock Right Studios

$150 Gig at The Waterhole Saloon

 

 

2nd Chance Original Music Award

Although the search for The Best Damn Roadhouse Band in Texas is open to both original and cover bands we will have one additional playoff for bands performing strictly original material.  We will choose 4 bands who perform original material and who have not won recording time in the main contest.  The winner of the  2nd Chance Original Music Award will receive:

RECORDING, MIXING, AND MASTERING OF ONE SONG

AT ECLECTICA RECORDING STUDIOS

AND

Inclusion in the Eclectica Recording Publishing catalog for possible film/tv placement.

                    1st Semi Final October 21                                    

                                                                                            Runner-up

                                                              Emerson Biggins

                                                                                        Wins 6 hours of studio time at Shine Studios

                                                                                                         2nd Semi Final October 28 

                                                                                            Runner-up

                                                           Bus To Brooklyn

                                                                                Wins 6 hours of studio time at Cedar Fever Studios

FAQ - THE ANSWERS:

How do I enter my band?

The contest is open to to bands and artists performing either original or cover material who do not have a recording contract or support from an established record label.  We prefer to deal with the artists directly rather than have to rely on a third party to pass information.  Please no agents or managers.

 In the first instance please send an email to contest@austin.rr.com.  In the subject line please put the name of the band. Include a contact phone for one band representative, a one sentence description of the style of music you play, and a link to whatever myspace or website where you have samples of you music. 

The contest is open to any genre, original or cover band.  There are a limited number of slots available and we prefer not to make the call on who is accepted.  However, should applications exceed what we can accommodate preference will be given to those who follow the entrance requirements, earlier applicants, and if necessary, a judgment call on who has their act most together.

There is no age restriction for entry.  However, the venue requires that anyone under 21 must leave the premises by 11:00 p.m. with the exception of contest performers who must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to remain past 11:00.  Every effort will be made to give underage performers an early spot.  Normal bar policy regarding I.D. will apply.  Anyone found to be underage or providing false I.D. will be asked to leave the premises.

Then What Happens?

You will be notified of your bands acceptance and be offered a date and time slot.  Early entries may have some flexibility as to date and time.  We have publication deadlines to meet and would appreciate a speedy response or at least an acknowledgement of the invitation.   Included with the acceptance will be detailed terms and conditions so that all bands know what to expect from us and what is expected of the bands.  Participation in the contest  is also agreeing to the terms and conditions.

ORDER OF PLAY?
Running order will be determined by Steve Power with a view to the styles of the different bands.  The contest performances will run from 8:30-11:00.  In the first round the bands will have 20 minutes each with a 20 minute change over.  The semi-finals will be 30 minutes each and The Playoff 45 minutes each.

VOTING?
Voting is in the hands of the entire audience including all the band members, their fans, and the general audience.  Scary, huh?  Everyone will have two votes, in no order of preference.  The band with most number of votes wins.

We will have the vote only after everyone has performed. If someone leaves early with their supporters, then they are not there to vote for their band with the exception of under 21s who have to leave by 11:00l  A ballot made up of a copy of the running order will be used so there can be no argument on the count.

In the event of a tie Steve Power will cast the deciding vote.  All decisions are final.  Time restrictions do not allow for further performance or voting, but if anyone has another suggestion as to a tie breaker we'll consider it.
 

What Equipment do you have?

There will be a Yamaha drum kit as well as a full backline provided by Genz Benz including:

2  Black Pearl 30 112 Combos

1 Shuttle Max 6.0 210T  Bass Combo                          Please click on the amp model for description of all features.

1 Shenandoah Compax 300 (acoustic guitar combo)

 These amps have truly amazing versatility.  Everything from jazz clean to grunge and anything in between.   All the players have been extremely impressed.  Whatever you're looking for in sound I can pretty much guarantee you can dial it in quickly and easily.  FOR PRACTICAL REASONS AND IN FAIRNESS ALL PLAYERS MUST USE THE AMPS AND DRUMS PROVIDED. 

KEYBOARDS:  You will need to bring your own keyboard. We will run it through the PA and monitors.

DRUMS:  Yamaha Stage Custom  - 20" kick drum, 10" mounted tom 12" mounted tom, 14" floor tom, 14" snare.  DRUMMERS WILL NEED THEIR OWN  KICK DRUM PEDAL, CYMBALS AND STANDS, INCLUDING HIGH-HAT.  YOU MAY USE YOUR OWN SNARE IF YOU WISH.

PA: Mackie 808, Mains Peavey 15" + horn  , Monitors TOA 12" + horn, 1 SM 87a and 1 SM58.

Fine Print Regarding Prizes

Time and date of recording studio time to be worked out between the sponsor studios and the prize winner.  As is normal policy for paid sessions, no shows or late cancellations will result in the forfeiture of the session.


 We will make changes as we go along if we find something that is not working properly or if someone comes to us with a good suggestion.  We definately encourage comments and suggestions if presented in a sane fashion.  We may not always agree but we will always listen.

Please do
NOT phone The Waterhole Saloon  They are a busy establishment and invariably the person who has the answer to your question won't be there any way.   We're happy to answer any questions or comments but please direct all inquiries to: contest@austin.rr.com


 

Some Tips To Give You The Best Chance of Winning.

HAVE FUN!

Winning isn't everything and to some it's nothing.  Some folks just want a chance to perform in front of an appreciative audience or to try out a new project and that's fine and very welcome.  But for those who have more ambitious goals and are perhaps new to this sort of thing here are a few ideas.....

First of all, BRING AS MANY FANS AS YOU CAN!  Although because of our two vote system talent alone will and has made winners in the past there is no doubt that bringing folks to vote for you creates a distinct advantage.  Besides there are some really good bands participating and it will be a great night out.

Think about your performance.  This is after all a "performing" band contest.  Pick your three or four best songs, in particular the most engaging for the audience.  This doesn't necessarily mean the loudest or the all out rockers, although that ain't a bad idea, but songs that an audience can connect to in some way. 

Be prepared.  It's better to present four songs you really know rather than one you made up that morning and haven't really got to a place where you own it.  If you need to read the lyrics you're probably better off choosing something you can easily play from memory.

Make sure to take care of the basics.  Be in tune.  If you need to put on new strings try and give them a couple of hours to settle in and stretch out.  If any of your pickups or guitars use a battery be sure to put in a fresh one.  A dying battery just distorts and usually without warning.

If you don't win, don't take it to heart.  All art is subjective.  There are still people who think that think Led Zeppelin, John Lennon or Bob Dylan are rubbish.  If you think you were as good as the band who won, think about what they did that might have made the difference. Maybe they just got out more fans.

Finally and most importantly, HAVE FUN!  If you're having fun then you've already won no matter what the outcome.  And besides, fun is contagious.  Fun is the easiest thing for an audience to connect to and when an audience connects to an artist they become fans.

me out and support yourselves and your fellow artists.