Road to Bonnaroo Returns for 2010

Article Contributed by BMI | Published on Monday, January 25, 2010

The Road to Bonnaroo runs through 2010, picking up where its inaugural year left off, with one more slot up for grabs. The contest, sponsored by BMI, Mercy Lounge, Yuengling, Camping World, and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, will feature 32 bands with Nashville ties vying for four slots at Bonnaroo 2010, slated for June 10-13, in Manchester, Tennessee. The Road to Bonnaroo will take place over four designated nights of BMI’s free 8 off 8^th showcase, with eight bands performing each night. Venue partner Mercy Lounge will host the live action litmus tests, slated for February 22, March 22, April 19 and May 17.

To select each evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprising local music journalists, bloggers, and 8 off 8th hosts will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan-voting through onsite ballots will determine the other half.

The 32 finalists for the 2010 Road to Bonnaroo competition are:

AutoVaughn http://autovaughn.com/

Born Empty http://www.myspace.com/bornempty

Brenn http://brennmusic.com/

Caitlin Rose http://www.myspace.com/caitlinrosesongs

Cassino www.myspace.com/cassinoband

Cheer Up Charlie Daniels http://www.myspace.com/cheerupcharliedaniels

Cortney Tidwell http://feverqueen.com

Delta Saints http://www.myspace.com/thedeltasaints

Dozen Dimes

Glossary http://www.glossary.us/

Hillbilly Casino www.thehillbillycasino.com

How I Became the Bomb http://www.howibecamethebomb.com/

Heartbeater http://www.myspace.com/beatyourheartup

Kyle Andrews http://www.myspace.com/kyleandrews

Leslie www.myspace.com/leslierock

Majestico http://www.myspace.com/majesticomusic

Mikky Ekko http://www.myspace.com/mikkyekko

Modoc http://www.myspace.com/modoc

Mona http://www.myspace.com/monatheband

Moon Taxi http://ridethemoontaxi.com/

My Tyger http://www.myspace.com/mytygermusic

Nobility http://www.myspace.com/thenobility

Non-Commissioned Officers http://www.myspace.com/thenoncommissionedofficers

Pico vs. Island Trees http://picomusic.com

Ponderosa www.ponderosamusic.net

Space Capone http://www.myspace.com/spacecapone

Tesla Rossa http://www.myspace.com/teslarossa

The Privates http://www.myspace.com/theprivates

The Silver Seas www.thesilverseas.net

The Effects http://www.myspace.com/theeffects

The Kicks http://www.myspace.com/thekicks

Turbo Fruits http://www.myspace.com/turbofruits

The Features, the Protomen, and Heypenny claimed last year’s three slots. Ultimately, in addition to promoting the town’s next crop of fresh faces, The Road to Bonnaroo competition uniquely celebrates the city’s homegrown and transplanted indie sounds—and thrusts the freshest faces, ready for their close-ups, out of the roost.

About Bonnaroo:

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. In addition to dozens of epic performances, the festival's 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performers, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll.

About 8 off 8th:

BMI proudly presents "8 off 8th," the free weekly showcase held 9 p.m. every Monday at Nashville music venue Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row, off 8th Avenue South). Hosted by a rotating lineup of music community impresarios, each night features eight local (and sometimes nationally touring) artists and serves as ground zero for Nashville's bourgeoning indie rock scene. Whether it's launching fledging acts fresh out of the garage or showcasing the latest buzz bands, 8 off 8th's rapid-fire three-song sets satisfy audiences chasing the next big thing. www.bmi.com