Now here's something to write home about. Milwaukee's own Green Scene has been named the Best Unsigned Band in America. They took top honors at the Jim Beam Rock Band Search to receive the honor.
The band beat out four others at the national talent contest held at Denver's Gothic Theater. As the grand prize winner, they get a five-market tour aboard the Jim Beam tour bus, a $2,000 equipment budget, a limited edition Jim Beam guitar from Gibson and customized band T-shirts for use on the tour.
{INSERT_RELATED}Each of the five bands performed a 15-minute set of original songs before a judging panel that included record and music industry executives, including representatives from Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and Reprise Records.
"Thanks to Jim Beam's dedication to up-and-coming musicians, we will be able to reach a whole new fan base on the five-market summer tour," said Ethan Keller of Green Scene. "Winning the Rock Band Search really validates all of our hard work and we are really excited about this honor."
Green Scene earned the all-expenses paid trip to Denver after winning the Midwest regional competition. Other finalists included bands from Denver, Providence, Oakland and Athens, Georgia.
"When I was starting out in the industry, this would have been a great way for me to get noticed by the right people," said Matthew Sweet, co-chairman of the Jim Beam B.E.A.M. (Benefiting Emerging Artists in Music) advisory board.
To participate in the contest, each band had to submit an audiocassette, CD or VHS videotape containing two or more original songs, along with a biography and band photo. Entries were judged on originality, musicianship, songwriting, overall appeal and potential to succeed as a band.
Stay tuned for more details about Green Scene's tour. To learn more about them, visit www.g-scene.com.
