Rock to the top

April 26, 2009

Rock to the Top
8 bands battle for the best at Leelanau Sands
4/27/09

The wait is over for dozens of rock bands that have competed for the title of “the best” over the past four months: This Saturday, May 2, eight finalists will duke it out at the Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom.
In addition to the scrutiny of a full house of fans, the contestants will face a panel of judges culled from the top of the music industry, including players from some of America’s superstar bands.
Competing bands have entered from all over the state, battling it out in a series of competitions since January, says Joey Callahan of Radius Recording in Traverse City, who organized the event. The winning band will take home $2,000 cash, as well as a recording deal at Callahan’s studio valued at $8,000. The winner will also open for Puddle of Mudd at the Leelanau Sands Showroom on June 27.
A former guitarist with the industrial metal group 13MG, Callahan has extensive ties to the music industry from his days touring and recording with the band, and also as a result of a music services and web design business he owned in Chicago, which had clients on par with John Mayer and Smashing Pumpkins.
Rock to the Top will include a set by David “Shred Demon” Shankle, one of metal’s’ top shredders, who vows to “rip your face off.” WKLT will sponsor and emcee the event, which runs form 8 p.m. to 1 am. Additionally, there will be a 3 p.m. seminar for musicians by Martin Atkins focusing on the fine points of touring, based on his bestselling book, “Tour Smart.” For details, check out http://www.myspace.com/rockyourwaytothetop.

The Judges:

David “Shred Demon” Shankle
One of the top 10 shredders and fastest guitarists in the world and a member of the platinum-selling metal group Manowar. Voted twice in the Guinness Book of World Records as Loudest band in the World.

Martin Atkins
Member of Public Image Limited (lead by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols), Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Also president of the independent underground record label, Invisible Records. Author of world-renowned musicians guide to successful touring, “Tour Smart”. His newly released film about the Chinese rock & roll music scene 16 Days in China has won the CIMM Fest Award for Best Documentary.”

Howie Beno
Grammy award-winning producer/engineer whose projects include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, Blondie, Static-X, Blink, Jesus and Mary Chain, Smashmouth and American Idol contestants.

Rae Dileo
Grammy award winning producer/engineer for Filter, Veruca Salt, Army of Anyone, Henry Rollins and Grand Master Flash among others.

Mark Farner
At the age of 20, he was leader of one of America’s biggest bands, Grand Funk Railroad. The band recorded 17 albums with total sales of more than 30 million records, and toured the world.

Suad Majors
Professional event photographer & styling artist International fashion, commercial and runway model and professional photographer from Ghana.