Venue Introductory Information
Gateway Entertainment LLC, in conjunction with TW Cross, LLC is proud to introduce you to American Country Showcase (ACS) - sponsored by Circle K. Welcome to America's Premier Search for the next Country Music Superstar!! ACS knows how hard it is for today’s young talent to break into the music industry. ACS and its official venue partners across the country will provide the opportunity for someone’s musical dreams to come true.
ACS is a singing competition where the winners are decided by the fans; well, until the Nationals, then the professionals choose. Depending on your local venue it can be a Karaoke or Live Band competition.
Why are we reaching out to you? It’s simple, without great venues our competition simply wouldn’t exist. In return, we offer you the opportunity to set yourself far apart from your competition. To get things started, we’ve tried to give you everything you need to know about ACS is this four page document. We are only a phone call away to answer any questions. Look forward to having you as an official ACS venue!
GRAND PRIZE - PACKAGE VALUED AT OVER $100,000*?
The national winner (one) of American Country Showcase will receive**:
1. 10 song album recording session held in a Nashville, TN studio** under the direction of a Nashville producer.
a. Dates of recording in Nashville will be based on studio, artist and producer availability, but will not exceed 4 months from winning of Showcase unless agreed to by artist and TW Cross, LLC.
2. Complete website design remake or new site, depending on artist, with hosting included for 1 year.
3. Management Agreement with TW Cross, LLC. or a TW Cross, LLC designated agent.
4. Booking Agreement with TW Cross, LLC or a TW Cross, LLC designated agent.
5. Distribution of 1 single from album project to be distributed on CDX in association with GCR/CDX.
6. Photo Session
*Valued by ACS for the 2010 Season.
**Based on artist participation, effort and signing of artist / management Agreement at the end of the competition – there will be no cash equivalent given in lieu of prize package offered.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A CHANGE; WELCOME ABOARD
Hundreds of clubs across the country have live bands on Friday and Saturday night, and thousands of clubs across the country have Karaoke. They have contests for a trip to a local resort, trips to Vegas and many other promotions. Regional promotions, unfortunately, often bring limited results. However ACS is exclusively focused on bringing the next Country Music Superstar to the stage, and they may be right in your hometown!! They don't need a vacation to Las Vegas; they need a recording session, website, promotion, management and a host of other things to have a serious opportunity in Country Music. Real opportunity brought home by you; your patrons will thank you for years to come!
HOW DOES IT ALL WORK? – For those of you considering being a Venue Partner
We’ll keep this as easy as possible; there is no need to confuse things or make this anything more than fun for all involved…that’s the key, so here we go. Here’s a step by step guide to our potential venue partners:
1) Venue Cost: $2500 – Includes:
a. Authorization to act as an official ACS venue and provide a finalist. Subject to the conditions of ACS venue contract.
b. 3’ x 6’ ACS banner and opportunity to purchase flyers and other ACS sanctioned support items.
c. Inclusion of venue logo and contact information on ACS web-site.
d. Online registration maintenance and updates (contestant list).
e. Opportunity to be a Regional Final Location.
1. Additional fee of $2,500 will be required; not payable until event is scheduled.
2) Review our web-site: www.AmericanCountryShowcase.com to make sure you have a thorough understanding of everything involved and expected.
3) Contact Tony at 480-406-2912 or tony@twcross.com (or your local representative) to discuss registration and availability. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know and assure you fully understand everything needed to make your competition a huge success!
4) We’ll send you a contract once we approve your location.
5) Sign contract and send back along with venue registration fee.
6) Get ready to promote your inclusion in ACS. Our past has shown us that those who promote well reap the greatest rewards. You have a phenomenal competition to sell and it will drive major traffic when promoted aggressively and correctly! We’ll be taking care of National promotions and awareness campaigns.
7) Get prepared to watch your venue get busy; real, real busy!!
HOW DOES IT ALL WORK – after you become a Venue Partner – a brief overview
If you’re registered, paid up and ready to start the process. Here is a quick overview of what you’ll need to do! We will also send you a “How To Guide” on how to execute your competition. We’ll be there every step of the way!
1) Contest must start no earlier than April 1st, 2010 and end no later than October 1st, 2010 (contingent on individual scheduling and Regional competitions – if applicable).
2) Promote
a. The only way your patrons and new patrons will know about a chance to win a Grand Prize package, valued at over $100,000, is if you tell them! We’ll be working on the National coverage and awareness campaigns; you need to handle the local awareness campaigns.
b. Reach out to local media; radio, television, newspapers.
c. Get the word out on your ACS competition and direct contestants to your venue to discuss registration.
d. Once they arrive, or call, send them to the www.AmericanCountryShowcase.com web-site. They must register with us so that we can give you updates on who’s ready to compete and help you schedule.
3) Prepare
a. Once your official, contracted and paid in full; we’ll begin sending you registrations.
b. Review the ACS web-site for rules and regulations to assure you understand everything that your competitors are expecting to see, have and need! Call us with any questions; we’re here to help.
c. You’ll need to prepare for an 8 week competition - 7 weeks of preliminaries and a 1 week final.
d. Option A - Secure a ‘house’ band to perform for the 8 week competition.
e. Option B - ‘Track’ use is OK once approved from ACS; if house band use is not a viable option.
f. (ONLY IF USING OPTION A) Prepare a rehearsal schedule (each week) that will allow each contestant at least 20 minutes to meet the band, get comfortable with song selection and rehearse.
4) Perform
a. Be ready for increased traffic, there is nothing worse than successful promotion with no ‘on-site’ performance. If you did a good job promoting, you should be prepared for a major increase in traffic and many, many first impressions. Make those new impressions repeat traffic and long term profit!!
b. Assure your performers are comfortable and ready to perform.
c. Enjoy the increased traffic and be prepared to tell us who your finalist is! We’ll take it from there; unless we’re there and then we’ll just have a great time with you!
5) Report
a. Report back to us who one your venues competition.
b. Only one winner per venue.
The Rules & Regulations
Registration – How to enter to compete:
Contestants can only compete in ACS via one of our local participating venues. Once an official ACS venue appears on our web-site (www.americancountryshowcase.com) potential contestants that choose to enter to perform at that venue may register via our “Online Contest Registration Form”. This is the only way we can assure we have contestant records on file and the only way we will recognize them as an official ACS registrant. Space is limited so registrations are taken on a first come first serve basis. Participation is also subject to the terms and conditions of our local venue partners. Upon registering with ACS, potential contestants are subject to all ACS rules, regulations, releases and disclaimers provided herein and within the ACS website.
Age Requirements:
Because American Country Showcase (ACS) is held at America's premier Saloons, Bars, Taverns, Casino's, Theaters, State Fairs and County Fairs across the country; music contestants should be of the corresponding legal age for the venue the competition is being hosted. Our venue partners are responsible for assuring that all state and local laws are adhered to as it relates to participation of ACS contestants at their venue.
Eligibility:
Contestants cannot be related to anyone associated with Gateway Entertainment Group, LLC, TW Cross, LLC and / or its subsidiaries / contracted agents. Contestants cannot be currently on any Country Charts; Independent or National. Contestants can not have signed a major or independent record deal within the last 12 months. Contestants cannot be under a management contract or record label deal.
Arrival & Participation:
If a potential contestant is contacted by their local venue and identified as a registered ACS entrant and confirmed as an official ACS contestant, they should be prepared to arrive at the time and date communicated to them by the venue. Depending on how the local venue has been set-up; either karaoke and / or live band performance may be utilized. The local venue will communicate this to the contestant at time of contact. If live band performance is being utilized, prepare to arrive early in that rehearsal time will be required.
In the event of a cancellation of an artist, the next registered artist may be called to compete. We encourage potential contestants to register early in that there are a limited number of performances allowed per night and spots fill very quickly. If registration becomes full at your local showcase, contestants are allowed to compete at other showcases across the country; you must however re-register to compete at a different venue, we will not redirect your registration. We also won’t pay to get you there. If contestants register and do not show up, you may be barred from competing at other showcases across the country. It is important potential contestants contact their local venue for specific information concerning their competition.
Song Selection & Genre:
We recommend contestant song selection be carefully considered. Original songs are allowed but not always recommended. It is important your PERFORMANCE / SINGING talent shine through! Please consult with your venue for local contest structure. ACS is a Country Music Competition so it is our recommendation you stay as close to the Country Music Genre as possible. Don’t let this scare you aware from more Contemporary Country but make sure you’re playing to YOUR LOCAL AUDIENCE; you want your performance to be the best it can be.
Bands (if allowed at local venue):
Bands may be allowed to compete (subject to approval of local venue) however you should bring your own equipment, guitars, keyboards, etc, and be able to rapidly be ready to perform. Contact your local venue for availability confirmation and equipment requirements. Only 1 band per night is allowed.
Voting Procedure:
ACS does not use pre-selected judges (except for the National Final). The audience (the People) votes on who they want to advance to the Regional or National finals (contingent on local structure). ACS requires the use of ballots or text votes as a method of voting. We want to keep this competition as fair and equal as possible. In the event of a tie a ‘sing off’ should be held. Another vote should then be held; if a tie again results the venue holder breaks the tie. This decision is final and non-negotiable. There may also be an ACS ambassador appointed, per venue, which can break the tie (by ACS appointment only).
National Finals:
The National Finals are scheduled to be held in TBA (currently Scottsdale, AZ) on October, 23rd, 2010. Expenses to the grand finals are the responsibility of the performer. American Country Showcase may have special rates available to finalists at certain hotels, motels, restaurants, etc. These will be forwarded to finalists before the National Finals. Admission to the National Finals is free to Regional Finalists.
Additional Rules & Regulations:
1. No member of the local ‘house’ band (for ACS contestants) may compete at any showcase nationally.
2. Performances must be done in good taste, no music, lyrics or clothing that is offensive will be allowed.
3. No special lighting, props, or special effects may be used.
4. The winner of the local Showcase is eligible to compete at the National Grand Finals if a Regional is not designated on or before October 1st, 2010. It is the responsibility of the finalist to check in with ACS to see a Regional has been scheduled although ACS will communicate the location, date and time when available.
Releases and Disclaimer
Contestants agree to hold harmless all parties associated with ACS, Gateway Entertainment Group, LLC, TW Cross, LLC or any affiliates. Contestants also agree to allow ACS to use your photo, bio, and additional information for promotion of the competition or their companies in any way ACS deems appropriate without reimbursement or compensation to you. Rules, Regulations & Prizes are subject to change at ACS’s sole discretion. The ACS website will be the final source for rules, regulations and prizes as it relates to the ACS; any updates will be posted and should be reviewed periodically. It is the responsibility of the contestant to check for updates.
COMMON QUESTIONS
1) Yes, you must run 8 weeks of competition; 7 weeks with 8 contestants (at least one competition per week) and then 1 finals week (winner from each prior competition).
2) Yes, we will try to avoid registering more than one venue per city. We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate however and may allow multiple venues in high population areas.
3) No, travel cost to Regionals or Arizona Final are not covered.
4) No, we are not a part of American Idol, we are owned by Gateway Entertainment LLC.
5) No, we do not provide judges - the audience votes on the local level, judges are only used at the national finals. We ask that our venues conduct voting via ballot or text vote methods.
6) Yes, you must provide only 1 qualified winner that was registered (prior to competition) on our site.
7) Yes, your contestants must register on line at www.AmericanCountryShowcase.com and we’ll let you know who registered!
8) No, we do not dictate how you conduct your event. We will provide guidance, but understand that each area is unique and individual. We do however reserve artistic license for our event and will require that our sponsors be included on banners and additional materials as appropriate and necessary to support competition. You must also adhere to all rules and regulations posted on the ACS website.
9) No, we do not MC your event. That is for your local band or DJ to do.
10) No, we do not manage clubs or venues.
11) Yes, we care if you send someone with talent; we need an artist that can compete on a national level.
12) And our favorite - Is this a scam? - call us and visit with us, check out the artist we currently represent at Gateway Entertainment Group, LLC. Also see our supporters below; this is not a scam.
Act now before your area is taken!!!
Tony Murrey - TW Cross LLC.
480-406-2912 or tony@twcross.com – (www.twcross.com)
Thanks to our supporters…just to name a few!
Vince Kavanaugh - Gateway Entertainment
Michael Wanat - Member NATD - (Nashville Association of Talent Directors)
Tony Murrey & Whitney Rock - TW Cross, LLC
Mark Moseley - Sound Control Studio
George Jones University
