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Mötley Crüe and Guitar Center are teaming up to find new rock talent in the US. The new campaign, Guitar Center On-Stage, will see the notorious rock group offer up “the ultimate, career-altering opportunity” to an up-and-coming band. Bands are invited to upload content to the Make Rock History website for the chance to fill the opening slot on Mötley Crüe’s 2009 US tour.

The prize package also includes $25,000 in cash, $20,000 in exclusive gear from Gibson Guitar, management from Tenth St. Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music (Mötley Crüe’s management and record label).

“We are offering nothing short of a chance for greatness. A way to step out of the shadows of obscurity and into the light of legends,” said Norman Hajjar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Guitar Center.

So what?: “This programme will launch the next Mötley Crüe,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. It’s a bold statement, but one not without merit. Mötley Crüe, like KISS are a band that have the ability (and clearly the management backing) to leverage sales beyond CDs, releasing a new single on Rock Band and even taking to the seas on Crüe Fest. In today’s recording industry climate, a record contract prize can sometimes feel like an empty promise, but the possibility of netting backers prepared to give an act 360° capabilities certainly puts this campaign centre stage.

“An opportunity for a band to get exposure and support on this scale is to be applauded. Shame that it isn’t Aerosmith, Van Halen, or a band with real credibility.”
Adam Sieff, Director Global A&R, Head of UK Operations, Sellaband

www.makerockhistory.com