Manufacturer of premium guitar and bass strings. Also home of MusicMan, high quality electric guitars and bass guitars. http://feeds.feedburner.com/ErnieBall Copyright 1995-2009 Ernie Ball Inc., San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A. All Rights Reserved COACHELLA, Calif. (December 19, 2008) - Ernie Ball is proud to announce the addition of four new phosphor bronze acoustic sets to their line of coated Slinkys. Continuing the 45-year tradition of providing musicians the necessary tools to express themselves, Ernie Ball has once again surpassed all expectations. Featuring the finest and freshest raw materials, their phosphor bronze wrap wire provides a rich, warm tone with excellent clarity. Which has garnered the attention and quickly become the string of choice for many of todays top acoustic artists including John Mayer and The Eagles. Officially being launched at the 2008 Winter NAMM Show, the new Ernie Ball Titanium Reinforced Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Slinkys combine the latest technological advances in string manufacturing! All wound strings are treated with a micro-thin layer of an exclusive enamel that prevents decay and corrosion up to five times more than uncoated sets! In addition to treating the wound strings, Ernie Ball has taken it a step further by reinforcing the plain strings with a patented winding of titanium wire. Titanium's inherent strength prevents string breakage, string slippage, and is proven to keep strings in tune better than conventional plain strings. Ernie Ball Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Slinkys maintain the feel and sound of uncoated sets, combining the added protection with the vibrant tone Ernie Ball customers have relied on for over five decades! http://www.ernieball.com/news/303 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST COACHELLA, Calif. (November 12, 2008) - In March of 2009 the Ernie Ball Company will take their niche for finding unsigned talent and jump on board one of the most anticipated cruises to set sail since The Mayflower. Mayercraft Carrier 2, hosted by Grammy Award winning artist John Mayer and produced by Atlanta-based Sixthman, will take passengers on a 5-day/4-night adventure cruise from Los Angeles, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Along the way guests will enjoy non-stop live music and theme nights that are all sure to live up to John Mayer's everlasting quest for a good time.This year's Mayercraft Carrier has an added dose of excitement as Ernie Ball will once again play host to a world-renowned Battle Of The Bands competition. Unsigned bands as well as singer-songwriters from across the globe will have the opportunity to upload their best mp3s by logging onto http://www.playmayercraft.com/ and see if they have what it takes to join the likes of John Mayer, O.A.R., Guster and others on stage at one of 2009s most sought after musical events. Ernie Ball has engaged FameCast to power the submission site for "Play Mayercraft," using FameCast's proprietary contest management platform to collect and present each band's songs and rank them using a variety of metrics such as online fan voting and community engagement."Partnering with the Mayercraft Carrier 2 was a natural fit for Ernie Ball," said Brian Ball of Ernie Ball. "This program is our way of giving back to the bloodline of our consumer base, as opportunities to play live at major festivals are few and far between."As an official sponsor of Mayercraft Carrier 2, Ernie Ball will also become an integrated part of the cruise, with signage onboard the ship and brand association in Mayercraft Carrier 2 print and online advertising. The sponsorship was developed and secured by Nashville-based TVX Group, Sixthman's exclusive sponsorship firm.Log onto http://www.ernieball.com/ for updates on this and other Ernie Ball events.Sixthman, LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, focuses on creating, marketing and commercially developing musically-driven lifestyle events with an emphasis on themed cruises. Founded and formed in 2001 and led by industry leader Andy Levine, Sixthman has rapidly captured market share in the affinity travel industry. Sixthman focuses on harnessing the music, ideas and energy of communities to pioneer an experience of a lifetime. By partnering with fan oriented artists and world class resorts and cruise lines, Sixthman is able to attract passionate music fans to new destinations.  For more information, visit www.sixthman.net. http://www.ernieball.com/news/301 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST COACHELLA, Calif. (November 12, 2008) - On December 4th, 2008 four lucky bands will take the stage at The Key Club in Hollywood, CA. One will emerge victorious and be crowned the 2008 Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands Winner. Concert attendees should be prepared for a night of unforgettable performances, headlined by the hottest band in the genre, Escape The Fate. ETF will take a break from their tight schedule of whirl wind touring and non-stop press in order to give attending fans the action packed set they have come to expect from Ernie Ball's Annual Showcase. This year marks the 12th Annual Ernie Ball Vans Warped Tour Battle Of The Bands. For over a decade the Ernie Ball Stage has played host to North America's best un-signed talent and has become a breeding ground for young up and coming bands making their mark on the scene. This year was no different. From Aphony, Red Car Wire, Settings and The Scenic have all lead the way and are on pace to make their mark in the industry. This night wouldn't be possible without the help of our friends. A special thanks to our partners Warped Tour, Myspace Music, Guitar Center and Hurley. Please join us for a night of fun with our friends!About Vans Warped Tour: The VANS WARPED TOUR® is well established as America's longest-running touring festival, breaking up-and-coming indie talent as well as showcasing established artists since 1995. It has cemented its place in history by playing a major role in bringing punk-rock/skate/action sports culture from the underground to the forefront of American youth culture, while at the same time creating awareness and taking action towards environmental and causes and helping those in need. The traveling punk rock summer camp features a diverse array of artists as well as a variety of lifestyle attractions for its traditionally low ticket price. Bands and cities for the tour that Alternative Press readers voted the "Best Tour/Festival" of 2006 and Rolling Stone called "America's most successful festival" (2005) can be found on the tour's website: www.warpedtour.com.About Myspace Music: MySpace Music is a landmark joint venture among MySpace, EMI Music, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony ATV, and whose independent music distribution partners include The Orchard, IODA, Alternative Distribution Alliance, RED, Fontana, and Caroline. MySpace Music, with more than five million artist profiles and 35 million monthly unique users, offers an ever-growing catalog of freely streamable audio and video content, user-friendly e-commerce solutions, personal music players, and user and artist playlisting. MySpace Music aims to empower major, independent, and unsigned artists to monetize their content through multiple revenue streams. By allowing the MySpace community to freely stream premium content in an ad-supported environment, purchase MP3s and ringtones, create and share playlists, and ultimately buy merchandise, concert tickets, and other digital and physical goods.  MySpace Music also connects artists and fans in the offline arena through various concert series and live events including Secret Shows, MySpaceLIVE!, Transmissions, The Release, Front to Back and The List.About Hurley: The Essence of Hurley is based on our love of the ocean and its constant state of change. With deep roots in beach culture, we are all about inclusion and positivity. Our brand was started with the idea of facilitating the dreams of the youth. Music and art are the common threads that bring us all together. We are passionate about freedom of expression and the individual voice. We place a premium on smiles. Welcome to our world - imagine the possibilities.About Guitar Center: Since 1959, Guitar Center has been providing good, old-fashioned service that caters to the musician's every need. With more than 100 stores, the chain continues to be a strong link between musicians and tools of the trade, making it "The Musician's Choice." http://www.ernieball.com/news/302 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST COACHELLA, Calif. (October 16, 2008) - On Sunday, December 21, 2008 Steve Lukather will do a Christmas concert with somevery special guests at the The Roxy on Sunset // Hollywood CA. Doors: 7:00PM, Show: 8:00PM On sale date: Thursday, October 16, 2008. Tickets available at Ticketmaster and the Roxy box office $20.00 Advance // $25.00 Day of Show Benefiting The CASEY LEE BALL FOUNDATION. Official Links: www.stevelukatheronline.com www.ernieball.com www.theroxyonsunset.com www.ticketmaster.com The Casey Lee Ball Foundation is a nonprofit organization where 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to pediatric kidney research. There are over 50 terminal diseases, yet kidney research has no famous spokesperson, no glamour, and as a result, it is dramatically under-funded. Casey Lee Ball, third son of Sterling Ball, President of Ernie Ball, Inc., was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at age two. At age five, while Casey and Sterling were recuperating from kidney transplant surgery at UCLA, they decided to create the Casey Lee Ball Foundation. FOR PRESS AND MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT: David Maida // Steve Lukather Worldwide E-Mail: dmaidapr@aol.com http://www.ernieball.com/news/300 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT COACHELLA, Calif. (October 15, 2008) - It all started with an idea and a passion for live music. The year was 1997 and the Warped Tour, which has since become North America's longest-running summer concert series, was in it's second year. With live gigs becoming harder to obtain and local music scenes fizzling out across America, Sterling Ball wanted to come up with a way to not only keep the local music scene thriving, but also give some of the great unsigned bands a chance to show off their chops in front of sold-out crowds numbering the ten thousands. Fast forward to 2008 and The Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands is now in its 12th year and has proved to be a breeding ground for America's best unsigned talent. Each year Ernie Ball has more than 14,000 + bands flock to www.battleofthebands.com in order to stake their claim at performing live on stage at the Warped Tour. The bands put their best riffs forward and show the judges that they have what it takes to be invited out to the Annual Ernie Ball Battle of The Bands Showcase. This year, four lucky bands have earned the right to battle it out one more time at the Key Club Hollywood on December 4th in front of a packed house filled with industry executives. The Aphony, Red Care Wire, The Settings and The Scenic have all developed a loyal following and Ernie Ball is proud to feature these Battle bands at this year's showcase. Among the prizes that are up for grabs are: a $15,000 shopping spree at Guitar Center, a $1,000 Hurley custom apparel package as well as an Ernie Ball prize pack that includes multiple Music Man instruments, strings and accessories. Daniel Wolf of The Scenic proudly stated, "We are excited beyond words to have this opportunity from Ernie Ball. The company has gone above and beyond what any company needs to do to help and support up and coming bands like us. We are extremely grateful to have been selected out of thousands of bands to play for such amazing opportunities. It's something that is extremely appreciated by the band as well as everyone who supports us." Please stay tuned to www.ernieball.com as we will announce the special guest headliner on October 24th! http://www.ernieball.com/news/298 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT COACHELLA, Calif. (October 8, 2008) - Ernie Ball Music Man and Express Music are proud to bring Dave La Rue back to Tampa, Florida for a Master Class workshop Sunday October 26th 2:00pm Dave La Rue, a longtime Music Man endorsee has been touring and recording with the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band since 1988. Currently Dave has been working on a new Steve Morse CD release set for 2009. When not working with the Morse band, LaRue has kept busy working with other artists, including Dream Theater's John Petrucci, Vinnie Moore, Joe Satriani and the L.A. based band Planet X. He has also released through his web site his book of transcriptions, titled "Dave LaRue: On the Record", and is working on wrapping up his second solo record. He is also writing, playing and producing for various artists in the central Florida area. A native of New Jersey, Dave graduated from the Berklee School of Music prior to joining the Dixie Dregs. For more info on Dave La Rue and Ernie Ball/Music Man please visit www.ernieball.com, www.music-man.com and www.davelarue.com http://www.ernieball.com/news/297 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT COACHELLA, Calif. (September 2, 2008) - Following the success of the 12th Warped Tour Battle of the Bands, Ernie Ball is once again joining forces with the International Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour. Zig-zagging its way through eight countries and multiple continents, this year's battle is sure to draw the world's best unsigned talent. One lucky band from each of the venue's surrounding areas, will be chosen to play the main stage and open up for some of the industry's most highly touted bands including Story Of The Year, Atreyu and As I Lay Dying. Competing bands will get a chance to upload their music and show off their chops by registering at www.battleofthebands.com. Local fans will have a chance to register and push their favorite bands into contention by logging on and voting for the band(s) that they think have what it takes to take it to the next level!! For more details log onto: www.battleofthebands.com or e-mail kevin@ernieball.com. http://www.ernieball.com/news/296 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT COACHELLA, Calif. (August 29, 2008) - Ernie Ball is proud to announce the arrival of new Titanium Reinforced coated Electric Strings. Introduced at the 2008 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, these strings will be available in all your favorite Ernie Ball Slinky gauges. Ernie Ball Titanium Reinforced Coated Electric Strings combine the latest technological advances in string manufacturing! All wound strings are treated with a micro-thin layer of an exclusive enamel that prevents decay and corrosion up to 5 times more than uncoated sets! In addition to treating the wound strings, Ernie Ball has taken it a step further by reinforcing the plain strings with a patented winding of titanium wire. TITANIUM'S inherent strength prevents string breakage, string slippage, and is proven to keep your strings in tune better than conventional plain strings. Ernie Ball Coated Slinkys maintain the feel and sound of uncoated sets, combining the added protection with the vibrant tone Ernie Ball customers have relied on for over 5 decades! Ernie Ball Titanium Reinforced Strings are a perfect match for those who experience prevalent string breakage. http://www.ernieball.com/news/295 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT COACHELLA, Calif. (August 26, 2008) - Once again showing that their thumb is firmly pressed on the the heart beat of rock and roll Ernie Ball is teaming up with Guitar Center and Slash to bring you a once in a lifetime event. Ernie Ball strings have been an integral part of Slash's signature sound for over 20 years. From Appetite for Destruction to Slash's Snake Pit and Velvet Revolver his string of choice has always remained the same. Ernie Ball Power Slinkys continue to supply the aggressive crunchy blues tone that has become synonymous with Slash's career. Guitar Center proudly announces that Slash will join the ranks of other industry icons in being a part of their Sessions series which gives attending fans a peak inside the world of rock and roll that these artists calls home. Sessions will be an evening of dialogue and insight from one of Rocks most iconic guitar gods. Please join us in celebrating all that Slash has offered the Music Industry as Ernie Ball and Guitar Center proudly present Sessions: An Evening with Slash. This event will take place on September 3rd, 2008 in the Northridge, CA Guitar Center parking lot.Guitar Center Northridge19510 Nordhoff StreetNorthridge, CA 91324(818)993-0286 http://www.ernieball.com/news/294 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT Ernie Ball / Music Man Clinics to coincide with tour itineraryLOS ANGELES (July 21, 2008) - In the wake of his successful Spring 2008 tour of Italy, Grammy-nominated guitarist Alex Masi is planning to go back on tour in late Fall 2008. A few stops on his multiple-city European tour will include appearances and guitar clinics for Ernie Ball / Music Man, who recently inked an endorsement agreement with Masi. Los Angeles tour dates are in the works and will be announced in September 2008.Masi and Ernie Ball / Music Man have been working together for about a year, ever since he discovered the Music Man Silhouette. "The first thing that seriously caught my attention when I got the Silhouette guitar was that unique 'snapping' quality that every note seems to have when played on this instrument," said Masi. "It gives it an almost 3-D effect that makes it a pleasure to record with because there's very little need for EQing in order to make it stand out in the mix. Then there's the playability factor - it's built for speed and comfort... a very addictive guitar." Of course, it helps that he keeps it strung with Extra Slinky Ernie Ball strings.Masi is back at work in his Haunted Hill Studio, with three projects lined up. He's known as much for his classical opuses as he is for his instrumental rock and metal compositions. Masi explains, "Continuing in the same tradition as 'In The Name of Bach,' I'm doing a Vivaldi album. It's my personal homage to the composer who represents the city of Venice to the world, my fellow Venetian, Antonio Vivaldi. I'm choosing excerpts from the Four Seasons to some more obscure pieces... two musicians from Venice meet across the centuries."Inspired by the ongoing organic connections between Jazz, Fusion and Rock, Masi is also mixing it up with "something I've wanted to do for a long time: a heavily groove-oriented electronica that features massive amounts of orgiastic guitars. I'm not afraid to venture into the world of dance music; I like the idea of electronic sleaze shred." While many of Masi's albums are instrumental, he will also include vocals on this project. "The third project," adds Masi, "is a rock album based on more traditional instrumentation, but no less daring in terms of envelopes being pushed and clichés thrown out the window - Hendrix, Cream, Zeppelin, etc., but with a 21st century twist." All three projects will be tracked and produced at Haunted Hill Studio.About Alex Masi Alex Masi, a Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso and composer, has produced a body of work that is revered, respected and collected by passionate fans around the world. Noted for his fiery improvisational style and eclectic juxtaposition of musical genres, Masi has released 14 albums since 1984. His two recent albums are Late Nights At Desert's Rimrock (2006) and MCM 1900 Hard Times (2007). For more information, visit www.alexmasi.net or his MySpace pages at www.myspace.com/thealexmasiallaudiopage or www.myspace.com/alexmasi.About Ernie Ball http://www.ernieball.com/news/293 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT Dream Theater Guitarist to Appear at National Chain's Manhattan StoreCOACHELLA, Calif. (June 3, 2008) - As part of Guitar Center's "Sessions" program, Dream Theater guitarist and signature Ernie Ball/Music Man artist John Petrucci will be appearing at the Manhattan Guitar Center, located at 25 W. 14th Street, this Saturday, June 7 at 6:00 p.m.Hosted by Sterling Ball, Ernie Ball president and son of legendary Ernie Ball himself, the free event will consist of an evening of dialogue and insight with Petrucci, who will be sharing his experiences and techniques. The program will also include a live demonstration, followed by a question and answer period.Originally from Long Island, New York, Petrucci began playing guitar at the age of 12. Though primarily self-taught, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston in the 1980s, where he learned jazz composition and harmony. While there, Petrucci hooked up with John Myung and Mike Portnoy to form a band called Majesty, which would later be renamed Dream Theater.Dream Theater has since recorded 14 albums and is currently on a worldwide tour promoting Systematic Chaos, their latest release available from Roadrunner Records. Petrucci was named the Guitarist of the Year in 2007 by Total Guitar Magazine and is also a regular on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani.For more information on the John Petrucci seminars, visit www.guitarcenter.com/sessions. http://www.ernieball.com/news/292 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT Dream Theater Guitarist to Appear at Express Music and Parkway MusicCOACHELLA, Calif. (May 14, 2008) - Dream Theater guitarist and signature Ernie Ball/Music Man artist John Petrucci will be conducting free seminars at two authorized Music Man dealers. The first will take place at Parkway Music, 4602 Route 9 in Clifton Park, New York, on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. The second will take place at Express Music, 8900 Seminole Blvd. in Seminole, Florida, on Sunday, June 1 at 4:00 p.m.The free clinics will include tips and techniques from Petrucci and a live demonstration, and will be followed with a question and answer period.Originally from Long Island, New York, Petrucci began playing guitar at the age of 12. Though primarily self-taught, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston in the 1980s, where he learned jazz composition and harmony. While there, Petrucci hooked up with John Myung and Mike Portnoy to form a band called Majesty, which would later be renamed Dream Theater.Dream Theater has since recorded 14 albums and is currently on a worldwide tour promoting Systematic Chaos, their latest release available from Roadrunner Records. Petrucci was named the Guitarist of the Year in 2007 by Total Guitar Magazine and is also a regular on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani."We're really psyched to have him coming down," said Charlie Morris of Parkway Music. "Everyone we've told is really excited, and we're expecting a pretty good turnout. It's going to be a great experience.""We're just thrilled and excited to have him," said Fran Reynolds, co-owner of Express Music in Seminole, Florida. "We had him here a few years ago and it was just a terrific experience. It really gives our customers a chance to get up close and personal with John... it's just a great afternoon for everyone involved."For more information on the John Petrucci seminars, please contact Express Music at 727-392-5922 or Parkway Music at 518-383-0300. http://www.ernieball.com/news/291 Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT Industry leaders team up to promote 12th annual Battle of the BandsCOACHELLA, Calif. (April 29, 2008) - Ernie Ball®/Music Man®, organizer and presenter of the Battle of the Bands, today announced details of a strategic partnership with MySpace® aimed at promoting the contest, its headlining artists and eventual winners.As part of the partnership, the leading online social networking site will include a branded banner in the "MySpace Specials" section on the MySpace music home page. The Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands page will also be a "featured profile" on the MySpace music homepage, and the contest will be promoted through member bulletins and other rotating banners throughout the Battle. All totaled, MySpace will provide exposure to over 100 million potential voters."Partnering with MySpace is a great boost to the Battle of the Bands," said Brian Ball, marketing manager of Ernie Ball. "We love the increased exposure, but it's really about the search for that next great band. MySpace is going to help broaden the pool of talent, which is going to make this year's Battle bigger and better than ever before."2008 marks the 12th annual Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, where fans can nominate their favorite unsigned bands online. Erne Ball estimates the 2008 Battle will have nearly 15,000 entries who will be judged by music industry executives, including Ernie Ball staff and sponsors, such as Myspace, Guitar Center and Hurley. Four of the 20 most-nominated bands from each region will perform live on the Ernie Ball Stage at the Vans Warped Your during their hometown leg.The Warped Tour, the most prominent live music festival in North America, will hit 47 major venues in the United States and Canada in summer 2008 and will feature, among others, Forever the Sickest Kids, Protest the Hero, The Audition and MC Chris. The Ernie Ball Stage is a self-contained mobile stage equipped with a 24,000-watt sound system. Over the years, the stage has featured more than 5,000 unsigned bands, including then up-and-comers Bowling For Soup, Sugarcult, Story of the Year, New Found Glory, Avenged Sevenfold, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Less Than Jake. As if playing the Vans Warped Tour wasn't reward enough, the nearly 200 bands who make it to the Ernie Ball Stage will also be competing for the chance to be one of just four showcase bands chosen to play live before industry elite and record label executives at a major Hollywood venue in the fall. Adding fortune to fame, one Grand Prize winner will be chosen to take home a $15,000 Guitar Center shopping spree as well as a $1,000 custom apparel package from Hurley clothing.For more information on the 12th annual Battle of the Bands, or to nominate your favorite unsigned band, check out www.battleofthebands.com or contact Ernie Ball at battle@ernieball.com. http://www.ernieball.com/news/289 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDT Settings Chosen As Top ActCOACHELLA, Calif. (April 29, 2008) - Settings, a rock/electronica band from Buffalo, N.Y. today was named the winner of the 4th annual Ernie Ball® Rockstar® Taste of Chaos® Battle of the Bands®. The independent band was chosen over thousands of entrants by a music industry panel of judges and will receive a full Ernie Ball sponsorship. In addition, Settings will be featured in an advertising campaign set to run in the Alternative Press and is poised to receive tons of exposure."It was an amazing experience for us," said Alex Niceforo, Settings guitarist and vocalist. "We were able to see how everything works at that level and it made us realize why we are working so hard. We gained great exposure and made a lot of new fans."The fourth annual Rockstar® Taste of Chaos tour swept through North America from February 29 to April 22, 2008. Playing alongside headliners Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, Bullet For My Valentine and Blessthefall, Settings impressed a panel of industry judges to claim the Ernie Ball Taste of Chaos Battle of the Bands title.For more information on the Taste of Chaos, see www.tasteofchaos.com.The Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands competition is now in its 12th year running and is getting ready to kick off on the 2008 Warped Tour. For more details, visit www.battleofthebands.com. Stay tuned as the Ernie Ball Rockstar Taste of Chaos competition resumes this coming fall. http://www.ernieball.com/news/290 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDT 2008 Competition Gives Unsigned North American Bands A Shot at Performance Opportunities, $15k Guitar Center Prize and MoreCOACHELLA, CA (March 31, 2008) - Now in its twelfth year, the Ernie Ball/Music Man Battle of the Bands competition is back and better than ever, offering North America's best unsigned talent the opportunity to play live on the Vans Warped Tour, perform before a crowd of influential music industry execs in Hollywood, CA - even win a $15k Guitar Center shopping spree and $1k in custom Hurley apparel.Registration for the competition is open now through June 1 via the official Ernie Ball/Music Man Battle of the Bands 12 website, www.battleofthebands.com. The online voting portion of the Battle website will remain open throughout the duration of the Battle, allowing fans to nominate their favorite registered bands for a shot at playing Ernie Ball's original self-contained Mobile Stage on the Vans Warped Tour, running from June 19 - August 17. Judges, comprised of Ernie Ball staff and Battle sponsors, will then choose four of the 20 most-nominated bands from each region to perform live on the stage during their hometown leg of the tour. Regional winners will be announced by mid-June.As if playing the Vans Warped Tour wasn't reward enough, the nearly 200 bands who make it to the Ernie Ball Stage will also be competing for the chance to be one of just four showcase bands chosen to play live before industry elite and record label executives at a major Hollywood venue in the fall '08. Adding fortune to fame, one Grand Prize winner will be chosen from these four semi-finalists to take home a $15,000 Guitar Center shopping spree as well as a $1,000 custom apparel package from Hurley clothing."Since the Battle of the Bands, our lives have changed completely - it definitely helped push our popularity," said Alfonso Civile of Battle 11 Showcase finalist band KnowLyfe. "People from states up north and down south recognize us from the Warped Tour or the Battle, and booking is crazy! We're starting to work with bigger names. Our record is available digitally through major retailers, and our next record will be hitting the actual shelves of those retailers. We've been so fortunate."To take part in this year's Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands competition, bands must upload photos, a band biography, and two MP3 audio files to the Battle of the Bands 12 site by June 1. For more details on sign-ups, please visit the Battle of the Bands 12 website at www.battleofthebands.com.Since its debut 12 years ago, the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands has given the best local bands from North America the opportunity to showcase their talents in the world's longest running and largest live music promotion in the music industry.A breeding ground for the best unsigned talent, the Ernie Ball Stage is a self-contained mobile stage equipped with a 24,000-watt sound system. The stage has featured more than 5,000 unsigned bands, including then up-and-comers Bowling For Soup, Sugarcult, Story of the Year, New Found Glory, Avenged Sevenfold, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Less Than Jake, and more.The Vans Warped Tour, the most prominent live music festival in North America, will hit 47 major venues in the United States and Canada in summer 2008 and will feature, among others, The Audition, Forever the Sickest Kids, Protest the Hero, MC Chris, Charlotte Sometimes and Lordz. http://www.ernieball.com/news/288 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDT