Seattle WAVE Radio 3rd Annual Jammin’ Challenge

Have you dreamed about what it might be like to have the opportunity to play on-stage with some of the “greats” in the Seattle music scene? Some of the icons, such as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted ‘Heart’ members? How about the opportunity to record one of your songs at the famous London Bridge Studios? How about winning a $500.00 CASH prize?

Here’s your chance for that opportunity! The First Place Winner will be invited to play at the Play it Forward IV, all star, icon jam put on by Music Aid Northwest in early 2014!

Purpose of contest: to bring more awareness to local independent Washington State bands and solo artists, and the opportunity for talented performers or unknown bands to gain exposure and recognition.

Why bands should enter: PRIZES! More exposure for your music; the opportunity to perform at The Hard Rock Café, Seattle, plus another Seattle venue TBD; and some outstanding prizes to be awarded to all 4-finalists.

Winners at the finals on November 16, 2013 will receive the following prizes:

First Prize: Total first prize package value: $6,250.00

• $500.00 cash


• A recording session for 1 single at the award winning London Bridge Studios, with your original song professionally produced, recorded and mixed with producers Jonathan Plum or Geoff Ott. Released and promoted worldwide by the professional team at London Tone Music. Winning artists will receive a singles recording contract with London Tone Music and a minimum of 5 hours of recording time. A companion video including interviews and song highlights of the recording will also be included.
  


• A $1,250.00 promotional package from Seattle WAVE Radio, including a live interview.


• The First Place Winner will also play at the Play it Forward, all star, icon jam put on by Music Aid Northwest in early 2014.
  

Second Prize:

• A professional music video shoot from Utopia Media Entertainment. plus a 6 week, $1,250.00 promotion by Seattle WAVE Radio of the show of your choice in 2014, with a center slide, an interview and a video posted. Total second prize package value: $3,750.00

Third Prize:

• A Band Photo Shoot with Band Photographer Extraordinaire Mocha Charlie; plus a 6 week, $1,250.00 promotion by Seattle WAVE Radio of the show of your choice in 2014, with a center slide, an interview and a video posted. Total third prize package value: $3,250.00

Fourth Prize:

• A two-day recording session at Critical Sun Recordings, with the talent and time of Bubba Jones for mixing and mastering. Plus a 6 week, $1,250.00 promotion by Seattle WAVE Radio of the show of your choice in 2014, with a center slide, an interview and a video posted. Total fourth prize package value: $3,250.00

All 4 finalists:

• The potential opportunity to be booked for a live show in 2014 at The Hard Rock Café, Seattle.

Comments from previous years' winners:

Jake Nannery and his Wooden Nickle Band

"Seattle WAVE Radio's Jammin' Challenge is so many things at once, We're finding it difficult to begin.

It's a chance to benefit your community with your music through programs like 'Music Aid Northwest'. It's an opportunity to meet and mingle with groups and individuals in the Seattle Music Community who you might not otherwise get to. It's a possibility to connect and network with musicians who you'll share gigs with in the future. It's stepping into that elusive Seattle Spotlight and having your art broadcast to a magnificently supportive and global audience. It's all of these things, and even more that we can't begin to explain.

Being a finalist in the 2012 WAVE Radio Jammin' Challenge was more or less a dream come true. Sharing the stage with three other acts of varying genre's but equally fantastic quality forced us to raise our level to meet theirs. When we were called as the top finalist, we truly didn't see it coming. Flattered, humbled, and ecstatic, we accepted the award, but knew full-well that it could've been any one of the groups performing that night.

While the perks have been innumerable, and include recording with the inimitable Bubba Jones at Contact Create Studios and the generous marketing budget from My Seattle Night Out, the doors that this challenge have opened are eight-fold. one highlight, of course, was being able to share a stage with childhood heroes John Popper of 'Blues Traveler', and Alan White of 'Yes' for the Play it Forward III concert. We're not normally a group of guys who are lost for words, but that January night at the Neptune, up there helping to raise funds for local music education, we were gobsmacked, and absolutely amazed at the talent, and generosity that surrounded us. It was an absolutely memorable experience, and has been a cornerstone of our continuing success in 2013.

So, the short version is this: Take this chance. Step on this stage. Give your absolute best effort. Win or lose, first round or finalist, you will have placed your art in front of a select group. People who care about the well-being of the Seattle music scene as much as anyone we've met. They'll be your biggest cheerleaders, and your greatest fans. It's worth it in every way.

James Teixeria of Silver Bullet:

"The Seattle Jammin’ Challenge was a great experience for us. We met some amazing musicians, were able to reveal our music to all sorts of new fans, get some useful advice from peers and industry professionals, and most importantly; it was fun."

Global Heat ~ 1st place

"As the winner of the 2011 Jammin' Challenge, Global Heat enjoyed not only the chance to perform live at Hard Rock Cafe in the semi-finals and finals of the band competition, but also several great prizes and unexpected perks. We received a two-day recording session at Critical Sun Recordings, with the talent and time of Bubba Jones for mixing and mastering; a $1,500 promo deal from Seattle Night Out; and an interview on Seattle Night Out Radio. Although it wasn't listed as a formal prize, we were also interviewed by Greg Roth of Seattle Music Insider. And perhaps the best opportunity and most fun was the chance to perform during Play it Forward II produced by Music Aid Northwest in January 2012 with a NW All-Star line-up. We got to warm up for Alan White Band and Heart by Heart. Not only was the show very inspiring, but it felt good to help Music Aid Northwest raise funds to further music education in the schools. Aside from all this, we appreciated the opportunity to support the Tweet Drive benefiting Treehouse. Thanks to Seattle Night Out, Seattle Wave Radio, and the Hard Rock Cafe for producing the Jammin' Challenge."

Julia Massey ~ 2nd place:

"This was an outstanding experience for our band for many reasons. We had the opportunity to network with a TON of industry people in the local scene, connect with loads of other musicians in our region, and receive incredibly thoughtful feedback from the panel of judges. Between all of that and getting to add The Hard Rock to our band's resume, we were very happy to participate. The icing on the cake was that we won two professional photo shoots with Mocha Charlie whose work speaks for itself. We also landed a spot in LoveFest through our exposure at the show. Overall, highly recommended!!"