Are You neXt2rock?
• Cumulus Media announced the launch of neXt2rock 2018, its second annual grassroots and national search for America’s newest rock star. Aspiring local rock artists may enter the competition via the neXt2rock website or one of the 55 local Cumulus station websites.
The winner of this four-month-long national competition, as announced by Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, will receive a record deal on John Varvatos Records under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, along with substantial exposure on Cumulus radio stations. Davis said, “It’s an honor to be chosen by Cumulus Media to act as a mentor to up and coming artists for their neXt2rock program. Radio still holds such a heavy influence in music discovery, and the rock genre is relying on new artists to keep moving it forward. I’m looking forward to seeing the talent in this new generation.”
Mike McVay, EVP, Content & Programming, Cumulus Media, said, “The level of talent gets better and more competitive every year, and further supports Cumulus Media’s investment in the future of radio and music. With Millennials and Gen X-ers’ renewed interest in rock music, Cumulus has even more opportunity for growth, providing expanded exclusive content and programming for music fans.”
Local listeners will be invited to rate the emerging artists, with local music pros helping to select a local finalist. The top 5 finalists, and ultimately the 2018 winner, will be selected by a panel of rock luminaries, including Jonathan Davis; Scott Borchetta, Founder, President & CEO of Big Machine Label Group; Desmond Child, Hall of Fame songwriter; and Chris Jericho, legendary wrestler and frontman of Fozzy, to name a few. The five local finalists will compete at the national finale event — a live concert in Los Angeles on October 4, where a panel of celebrity judges will announce the neXt2rock 2018 winner.
FYI: The neXt2rock 2017 winner, Ivory Blue, released her debut single, “Ready Get Set” on June 18 and it’s currently moving up the charts.
