Seven acts featuring area high school students have been selected to compete in the 17th Tri-C High School Rock Off at House of Blues in Cleveland.
The competition is open to individuals and groups where all band members currently are in high school. A total of 63 acts will compete in six semi-final rounds. The top three acts in each qualifying round will move on to compete in the Final Exam on Feb. 9.
Two Days from Tomorrow, featuring students from Lakeview and Lowellville high schools, will make its second appearance in the competition. Northern Whale, featuring students from Austintown Fitch High School, will be competing for the third time.
Area bands participating in the event and their performance dates are:
Jan. 13 - Lethal Synergy (Cardinal High School in Middlefield) and Two Days Until Tomorrow
Jan. 18 - Hold No Grudge (Lowellville High School)
Jan. 19 - Northern Whale
Jan. 20 - Big Gingo and the Nobodies (Boardman High School) and The Cardboard Cutouts (Howland High School)
Jan. 27 - The Bob and Tom Show (Lakeview High School)
The winning band will receive $1,000 cash and $200 for its high school's music program. The winner also will get the opportunity to open for a national act for a Live Nation or House of Blues concert and will appear on the cable music programs. "Crooked River Groove" and "Words & Music."
The second place band will receive $250 cash and $100 for its school's music program, and the third place finisher will receive $150.
All of the acts that make it to the finals will get an opportunity to record one song with Jim Stewart at Cleveland's Spider Studios, which has recorded such acts as Machine Gun Kelly, Chimaira and Ohio Sky.
Tickets for the semi-finals and the Final Exam for the 17th Tri-C High School Rock Off are $10 and are available from the participating bands and through www.livenation.com.