STETSON INVITES TEXAS BANDS TO TAKE THE STAGE
 
Music fans vote for favorite Texas band and fight to keep music education in Texas public schools
 

[DALLAS/FORT WORTH] [HOUSTON](October 1, 2008) – Stetson Rocks is a campaign designed to celebrate and support emerging country western music across the state of Texas, via contest, prizes and partnership with Texas Music Project. Today marks the launch of the Stetson Rocks contest, which allows fans to vote for their favorite Texas band and help decide who will win opening spots for Neal McCoy at Mo’s Place in Houston November 14, followed by a second opening performance at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth for the 4th Annual Wolf 12 Man Jam on December 7.

In addition to helping an unsigned artist win a spot on the main stage, Stetson Rocks is also about fighting to make sure the music keeps playing. The campaign supports local emerging music by partnering with Texas Music Project, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening and restoring music education in public schools that has helped m ore than 700,000 Texas students to date. Fans can join the cause by purchasing a Stetson Rocks t-shirt at www.stetsonrocks.com <http://www.stetsonrocks.com>
 
“Stetson has long been a trusted brand, and one that transcends generations,” said Pam Fields, CEO of Stetson. “Stetson Rocks is about celebrating the next generation, supporting its sound and helping fund emerging talent.”

Contestants will be narrowed down to the top 10, based on fan votes, and the winning band will be selected by a judging panel of Texas music and fashion experts during the first week of November.

Texas bands and fans from around the country can get involved by visiting www.StetsonRocks.com. From there, they can link to Ourstage.com, an online contest forum with an existing band and fan base of 1.5 million users, and register their band for the contest (if they are a resident of Texas) or vote for their favorite band. In addition to supporting the contest, fans can check out the Stetson Rocks lookbook and link to Stetson Rocks retail stores, enter contests to win prizes, track the Stetson Street Team through Texas, and more.

For more information about Stetson Rocks, visit www.stetsonrocks.com <http://www.stetsonrocks.com> .

About Stetson/ Stetson Rocks:

Nearly 150 years ago, John B. Stetson fashioned the “Hat of the West,” one that would become the symbol of American independence, individuality, integrity and strength. Today everything that carries the Stetson brand stays true to these values and to the American vision of pursuing your dreams. Stetson Rocks is about giving fresh noise a future and embracing the pioneering spirit that the Stetson brand was born from. In addition to headwear, Stetson also currently offers fragrance, western apparel, boots and eyewear. For more information: www.stetson.com <http://www.stetson.com> .

About Texas Music Project:

The Texas Music Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working in conjunction with the Texas music industry and the State of Texas, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education. The primary mission of TMP is to help strengthen and restore music education to Texas schools. Objectives are to raise awareness of the benefits of music education and the related needs of schools; build capacity and funding for music education in local communities and schools; and enable more informed decision-making among decision makers at both the state and local levels.


Bands entered in Stetson Rocks as of October 6, 2008

§     The Benjamin Brighteyes Band
§     Dizzy G Gillespie
§     Donny Waits
§     John Mylius Band
§     Back to Blue
§     Nelo
§     Adel Gutierrez
§     Southern Backtones
§     Thibodeaux
§     Genevieve Gerrior
§     Open Chapter
§     J. Powell
§     ­Earlywine Band
§     Gibson & Mileti
§     Mourning Sun
§     Andy Macintyre
§     Jerry Rigged
§     Patti and Beau Burt and Kim Kelley
§     MASONMAN
§     Wake of the Flood