will.i.am and Interscope Geffen A&M Records Helped Choose Semi-Finalists
Fans Nationwide Now Determine the Winner by Voting for Their Favorite Performer
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doritos brand announced today the 10 unsigned group and solo artists selected as semi-finalists in the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" challenge. In October 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. As an evolution of the Doritos brand allowing consumers to be in control, the winner will have a 60-second music video montage of their song air during the Super Bowl XLII broadcast, during the time traditionally reserved for Doritos ads. In addition to having their "big break" on one of the world's largest stages, the winner will also receive a record deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
Three time GRAMMY-award winning musician, songwriter and producer will.i.am, along with 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, served on a panel of judges including the Doritos team to select the "top 10" performers. Now fans nationwide will determine the three finalists by voting for their favorite performer through December 31, 2007 online at http://www.snackstrongproductions.com/.
"We knew there was so much talent out there just waiting to be discovered, and, as expected, we have found some truly incredible performers," said Ann Mukherjee, group vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. "We are proud to provide one of the biggest and best stages possible for our fans to celebrate their passions, fulfill their dreams and potentially launch a career. But ultimately it will be the music and performance of these talented acts that will truly shine under the spotlight."
"I know how difficult it can be for the many talented musicians and performers out there to be discovered, and from the looks of the semi-finalists many of these talented artists showed up to be part of this program," said will.i.am. "I think music fans out there will have the tough job voting for the three finalists and ultimately the winner."
The Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" challenge provides a platform for hundreds of emerging artists to share their original music with potential fans all over the world. Entrants came from every corner of the country, representing a variety of music genres ranging from rock and rap to acoustic, country and fusions of everything in between. The 10 semi-finalists (in alphabetical order by artist) and their original song submissions are:
1. Barra Libre of New York, NY: "Disco Naked"
2. Blind Fury of Camden, SC: "My Nature"
3. Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants of Portland, OR: "Keep You
Around"
4. Gina Cutillo of Coram, NY: "The Blame"
5. Kina Grannis of Austin, TX: "Message from Your Heart"
6. Landon Austin of Dallas, TX: "Waitin"
7. Metafore of Boca Raton, FL: "Nah Mean"
8. Nivla featuring P. Oberoi of New York, NY: "Be Easy (Koi Naa)"
9. One False Move of Brick, NJ: "$2 Fare"
10. Playback of Boxford, MA: "Just Breathe Girl"
The results of the semi-finalist voting phase will be announced on January 7, 2008. At that time, fans can once again vote online among the three finalists to determine which music act will have its music video aired during a commercial break on the Super Bowl XLII broadcast on FOX on Feb. 3, 2008 and win 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.
Frito-Lay North America is the $10 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. In addition to Frito-Lay, PepsiCo divisions include Pepsi-Cola, Quaker Foods, Gatorade and Tropicana.
Source: Frito-Lay North America
CONTACT: Jared Dougherty of Frito-Lay North America, +1-972-334-2044,
jared.dougherty@fritolay.com
Web site: http://www.snackstrongproductions.com/
