Summerfest, Tap Milwaukee, Boston Store and Mambo Announce “Land The Big Gig®” Finalists

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A competition like this adds to the excitement and fun of such a mega-event like Summerfest, where people come together to enjoy, discover and celebrate music.

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) June 13, 2012

Over 200,000 votes were cast and the Top Three Finalists will perform at the World’s Largest Music Festival, Summerfest 2012, to win their share of $45,000 in cash and prizes. Hosting the competition is Milwaukee’s favorite American Idol and recording artist, Danny Gokey.

Summerfest teamed up with Tap Milwaukee, the city’s leading online entertainment site, and Boston Store’s exclusive surf and streetwear apparel brand MAMBO, to search for the next great musical talent. More than 100 aspiring musicians and acts from across the nation submitted their video auditions online at http://www.LandTheBigGig.com. Music fans from around the world have selected three finalists by popular vote. Those bands will perform at Summerfest on Wednesday, July 4, on the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage to win their share of $45,000 in cash and prizes.

“The three finalists are very talented. Seeing them perform live on stage is going to be a great finale to ‘Land the Big Gig®’,” said John Boler, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Summerfest. “A competition like this adds to the excitement and fun of such a mega-event like Summerfest, where people come together to enjoy, discover and celebrate music.”

The Top Three Finalists who will compete in the final Land the Big Gig® competition are the bands Flavia & The Red, 1703 and Jamie Lono. Flavia & The Red are working on their debut album ‘The Girl Who Left Town’ (2012 release) and have made a splash amongst the Los Angeles crowd, performing in well-loved venues such as The House of Blues, The Key Club and The Mint. The band consists of Caroline Cirone on base, Chris Pucher on guitar, Isaac Watts on drums and Rich Brown on keys. On stage, Flavia & The Red are both energetic and soulful, and each band member is given the opportunity to showcase their talents with powerful solos.
1703, an acoustic brother sister duo consisting of Rachel and Brandon Dawley living in St. Paul, MN, originally from Burlington, WI. A strong passion for music and their sibling connection has helped them create a dedicated following throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Jamie Lono has many vocal inspirations such as Ray LaMontagne, Marc Broussard, Jack Johnson, Brett Dennen, Allen Stone and more of the like in the blues and soul genre. After appearing on NBC's second season of The Voice, Jamie has returned to his home, Chicago, Illinois, to prepare for the release of his first full-length album due to be out in late summer 2012.

Public voting for the Land the Big Gig Contest began on Wednesday, April 25 and concluded on June 3. In all, more than 200,000 votes were cast. Rebecca Dunham of Muskegon, Michigan was the lucky voter that has won a brand new 2012 Hyundai Veloster® valued at more than $17,000 from Boucher Automotive with a trip for two to Milwaukee’s Summerfest that includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations from Marcus Hotels, Milwaukee’s premier luxury hotelier and the official hotels of Summerfest, tickets and VIP Deck passes to Summerfest 2012.

“We have been overwhelmed by the fan support for Land the Big Gig,” said David Wise, Marketing Director for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “This competition has resonated with music fans across the country.”

Danny Gokey, Milwaukee’s own American Idol finalist and recording artist, will host the event on July 4. “Summerfest is one of the great things about summertime in Milwaukee. I’m looking forward to celebrating such talented musicians at one of my favorite music festivals” said Gokey. “It’s a special honor to be back supporting music in the town I grew up in.”

A panel of celebrity judges will determine the grand prize winner, who will be awarded the top prize of $25,000, at the conclusion of the performance on July 4. Each band will perform a 30-minute set beginning at 4 pm on July 4 on the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard Stage. The judges for the competition are 94.5 “The Lake” morning radio personality, Gretchen Bartlett, celebrated local DJ and music blogger, D.J. Bizzon and Summerfest Vice President of Entertainment, Bob Babisch. Danny Gokey will also act as a judge in addition to his hosting duties.

Boston Store and their exclusive MAMBO brand is a presenting sponsor of the Land the Big Gig contest and has designed several Mambo Summerfest shirts. As the official Pre-Summerfest retailer, this merchandise and other Summerfest apparel is available now in local Boston Store locations. By purchasing your official Summerfest gear early, 100% of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Summerfest has rocked Milwaukee’s lakefront for 45 years and wears the crown as the “World’s Largest Music Festival”. Featuring over 700 acts on 11 stages over 11 days, Summerfest shares unforgettable live music experiences with approximately 900,000 music fans from around the world every year.

Fans and performers are encouraged to stay connected to “Land the Big Gig®” via LandTheBigGig.com, Summerfest.com, Tap Milwaukee and BostonStore.com for updates and additional information. Land the Big Gig® is presented by Tap Milwaukee, Summerfest, Boston Store and Boston Store’s Mambo Brand. Producing sponsors include Marcus Hotels, Bryant & Stratton, Robert Haack Diamonds and Boucher Automotive.

About Summerfest
Summerfest 2012 will take place June 27 – July 1 and July 3 – 8, from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, July 2. In 2012, The “World’s Largest Music Festival” and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer event will celebrate its 45th Anniversary. Since 1968, Summerfest has provided unforgettable live music experiences for fans from around the world. Summerfest attracts over 700 bands, including the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites and hosts a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest or Twitter: @Summerfest.

About Tap Milwaukee
TapMilwaukee.com is Southeastern Wisconsin’s essential guide to entertainment, providing everything you need to know about going out, staying informed and sharing that information with friends. Tap was created in 2011 to engage a growing market of readers who want local entertainment news at their fingertips. Our readers are passionate about things to do - from music to movies to dining and galleries – TapMilwaukee.com has it.

About Mambo
Mambo is an Australian company established in 1984 and is owned by The Nervous Investor Group, a collective of creative and surfing entrepreneurs. The brand is built on the pillars of surf, art, skate, music and humor. Mambo has hosted major international music festivals, surfing events and has had its unique art exhibited in museums around the world. Mambo develops young artistic talent, produces innovative products, artworks and quality clothing. In 2000, due to demand from the athletes, Mambo designed the Australian team uniforms for the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. There have been several books written on Mambo, as well as a lead business TIME magazine article, and just last year, esteemed UK publication, Cult Street Wear, listed Mambo as one of the world’s most influential apparel brands of the past 30 years alongside Nike, Adidas and A Bathing Ape.

About Boston Store
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 272 department stores, which include 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves. Facebook.com/bostonstore, Twitter: @bostonstore

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