Four Bands to Compete April 8 to be in Main Event Lineup and Earn $3,500

With the recent announcement that Third Eye Blind will headline the Band Together NC charity concert on May 7 in downtown Raleigh, the nonprofit organization now turns its energies to filling out the artist lineup and supporting the local music scene. On April 8, music lovers and celebrity judges will help select one of the supporting acts at the “Last Band Standing” event at Lincoln Theatre featuring House of Fools, Lonnie Walker, Filthybird and The Chris Hendricks Band.

Band Together NC is a Triangle-based organization whose mission is to raise funds and awareness for select charities through events that showcase and support musical talent. Proceeds from “Last Band Standing” will benefit local musicians and Alliance Medical Ministry, Band Together’s charity partner for 2011.

“Last Band Standing” will feature the four competing bands performing 30-to-40-minute sets that will be scored by three local celebrity judges – Independent Weekly Music Editor Grayson Currin, Lincoln Theatre Owner Pat Dickenson and Doug MacMillan, lead singer of The Connells – and one overall audience vote. The winner will receive a slot on the May 7 concert lineup, $3,500 in cash and $800 in prizes. Last year’s concert headlined by Michael Franti & Spearhead attracted more than 2,500 fans.

“Every year we try to come up with innovative ways to drum up support for our charity partner while supporting the local music scene,” said Danny Rosin, president and co-founder of Band Together NC. “Our ‘Last Band Standing’ show is a perfect example of that, and we hope it will be the first of many such events in future years.”

Tickets for the “Last Band Standing” show are just $10 in advance or $15 on day of show. VIP tickets including food, drink and donation are available for $50 in advance and $60 on day of show. Tickets can be purchased through eTix at http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1445035 or through a link from http://www.bandtogethernc.org/posts/events/last-band-standing-2011.

The final artist lineup for the main May 7 concert outside Lincoln Theatre will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about Band Together NC, please visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow @BandTogetherNC on Twitter. For more information about Alliance Medical Ministry, go to www.alliancemedicalministry.org/.