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Unsigned Artists Kina Grannis, Landon Austin and Nivla Named Finalists in
Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Challenge
Fan Votes Online Determined Top Three, Now to Determine Which One Performer
Will Star in Their Own 60-second Music Video During the Super Bowl XLII
Broadcast

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doritos brand announced today the
three unsigned group and solo artists voted by fans nationwide to be
finalists in the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" challenge. In Oct. 2007,
Doritos invited undiscovered musicians across the country to submit an audio
and video performance of an original song that is, like Doritos tortilla
chips, inspired by the musician's passion and creativity based on his or her
own bold or intense experiences.
After the "top ten" semi-finalists were selected by a panel of judges
including GRAMMY-award winning musician, songwriter and producer will.i.am,
Jack Joseph Puig, A&R Executive Vice President and Producer for Geffen
Records, and Ryan O'Donnell, A&R Executive for Interscope Geffen A&M Records
(IGA) and the Doritos team, online fan votes cast between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31,
2007 determined the top three.
"The talent discovered in this music challenge is hands down some of the
best I've ever seen and heard," said will.i.am. "These artists are ready to
go on tour."
The three finalists (in alphabetical order by artist) and their original
song submissions are:
1. Kina Grannis of Austin, Texas: "Message From Your Heart"
Born and raised in Mission Viejo, Calif., 22-year-old Kina Grannis
graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2007. Her
immediate next step was to pack her bags for Austin, Texas to pursue
her dream of becoming a professional singer/songwriter. It was that
bold, life-changing move that inspired Kina to write "Message From
Your Heart," her first original song since settling in the city known
for its rich musical culture. The acoustic recording is about her
belief that the heart is the most fundamental part of life, literally
and metaphorically, and it represents her respect for the daily
adventures of life.

2. Landon Austin of Dallas, Texas: "Waitin"
19-year-old Landon Austin had a desire to play music even as a child.
He received his first guitar from his parents at the age of nine and
hasn't put it down since. As a junior in high school, Landon's talent
was recognized in his hometown when he won Dallas' local "Texas 10
Under 20" contest. Now a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville,
Tenn., Landon has a chance at a national spotlight like none other.
His original song "Waitin" is loosely based on a girl that Landon
liked in high school and the feeling of not knowing how she felt in
return, but being okay with it either way. Knowing that many others
have been in the same emotional situation, Landon is thrilled to be
sharing his original song with so many new fans.

3. Nivla featuring P. Oberoi of New York, NY: "Be Easy (Koi Naa)"
Hailing from the greater New York City area, 27-year-old Nivla is
leading a South Asian musical movement by rapping with style and
lyrics that fuse his Indian roots with American culture. A personal
banker by trade, Nivla's dream is to bring his music to the masses and
change the world, and being selected by fans as a Doritos "Crash the
Super Bowl" finalist puts him one huge step closer to that goal. As
the first Indian rapper to be featured in XXL, Nivla is part of a
larger music group called "Soul Tap Squad," which includes P. Oberoi
who is featured in their song, "Be Easy (Koi Naa)." This original
record is a feel good, party song that blends Soul Tap's unique sound
with the sounds of a dancehall.


Now through Jan. 28, 2008, fans of Doritos chips and music lovers anywhere
in North America can vote for their favorite finalist at
www.snackstrongproductions.com to determine which music act will have
its original song air as a music video in a commercial break during the Super
Bowl XLII broadcast on FOX on Feb. 3, 2008. In addition to having their "big
break" on one of the world's largest stages, the winner will also receive a
record deal with IGA. The three finalists will each be awarded $10,000 and a
trip to Phoenix to attend the Doritos Super Bowl party.
"The fans have spoken and we are thrilled to take Kina, Landon and Nivla
one step closer to the opportunity of a lifetime" said Ann Mukherjee, group
vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. "This was never about finding the next
Doritos jingle. From day one, we were on a quest to discover new talent and
open doors to help launch careers."
The "Crash the Super Bowl" campaign is the evo - Reuters

For those who have been on pins and needles about the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, the company announced three finalists today, one being from Big D, based on nationwide online votes. The contest, which started back in October, asked unsigned artists to submit an original song and video. Narrowed down to 10, online votes in late December began the process of determining the final three.

19 year-old Landon Austin, submitted “Waitin” and now finds himself vying for his song to air during Super Bowl XLII in February. Not only that, the contest offers a recording contract, $10,000 and, befittingly, a trip to the game. I imagine he’ll probably get a lot of Doritos, too.

Votes are being accepted from now until January 28 here. -- Rich Lopez

- Dallas Observer

Seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter Landon Austin of Dallas was named the Texas Music Project's 2006 Texas 10 Under 20 winner for the North Texas region. A junior at Episcopal School of Dallas, Landon performed two original pieces, "Ask Myself" and "Afternoon," both of which drew high praises from the panel of judges.

Landon was a finalist in the 2004 Texas 10 Under 20 competition with his electric guitar solo. This year, he performed on acoustic guitar, adding original lyrics and smooth vocals.

"It is truly a miraculous feeling to be chosen as the winner of the Texas 10 Under 20," Landon told his music teacher at ESD, John Swafford. In addition to the pride that comes with mentoring this year's winner, the Episcopal School of Dallas will be the recipient of the $1,000 Music Education Grant awarded to Landon from the Texas Music Project.

As winner of the Texas 10 Under 20 Dallas competition, Landon has been invited to perform on the Main Stage at Taste Addison on May 13, and has also won an Epiphone guitar and bass guitar, a Slingerland snare drum, a Broadjam Primo MoB membership, and studio recording time at ASM Recording Studio.

- Broadjam

The Cowboys may not be headed to the Super Bowl, but another hometown boy is.
Episcopal School of Dallas grad Landon Austin, 19, is a finalist in the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest for unsigned musicians.




I met Landon about 18 months ago when he won the Texas Music Project's 10 Under 20 contest. He would love a music career, but he is also realistic. He's studying finance at Belmont University in Nashville.
But the Doritos contest could be his big break. The winner’s music video will air during a Doritos Super Bowl commercial and earn the artist a recording contract with Interscope Records.

Landon has already won $10,000 and a trip the game Feb. 3. Earlier this month he visited Los Angeles to film the video for his original song Waitin’. But he needs help to win the grand prize.

Vote once a day through Jan. 27: www.myspace.com/doritoscrashthesuperbowl.
Go behind the scenes of the Waitin' video on Landon’s Web site: www.landonaustin.com.


And tell your friends. Landon’s dad tells me the two other finalists have more public relations experience and have been working overtime to rally supporters.

- The Dallas Morning News