Public Relations
(520) 529-5317
publicrelations@mdausa.org
SAN ANTONIO — Clear Channel Radio, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television company, today announced the winners of its second annual “Get Discovered!” talent search competition. “Get Discovered!” is a part of Clear Channel’s ongoing commitment to providing emerging, independent musicians a platform to share original music with an engaged public audience. The three winning acts earned the opportunity to perform live on television during the 2011 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Labor Day Telethon on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011.
The online competition attracted more than 7,800 unsigned music artists who entered via iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio service, or any of Clear Channel Radio’s participating stations’ websites. Participants were ranked using the innovative media platform WHOOZNXT.COM, which tracked the growth of their digital fan base during the contest period. The winners were then determined by a panel of music industry leaders.
The three winning bands that will perform live on national television during the 2011 MDA Telethon are:
“The underlying purpose of ‘Get Discovered!’ is to ignite creativity among talented artists living in local communities across the U.S. while raising awareness of the fight against neuromuscular diseases,” said Clay Hunnicutt, senior vice president, programming, Clear Channel Radio. “The three winners are a clear indicator of the amazing pool of independent musicians living in all of our neighborhoods. Through this competition, we empowered thousands of homegrown, undiscovered talent to share their original music for a great cause.”
“Thanks to Clear Channel Radio, the ‘Get Discovered!’ contest has become the ultimate head-to-head competition for unsigned music artists,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA President & CEO. “We’re delighted the three truly outstanding artists who prevailed in this extraordinary national competition, which involved more than 7,800 artists, will have their first network television live performances on the MDA Labor Day Telethon, Sunday, September 4. Tens of millions undoubtedly will respond enthusiastically to their breakthrough performances, especially since they’ll be helping MDA speed treatments and cures for progressive muscle diseases.”
The Telethon will air in every time zone from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, Sept. 4, and will be broadcast from the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas.
Clear Channel Radio’s 850 stations will continue to broadcast a series of public service announcements through Sunday, Sept. 4 as part of the company’s three-month commitment to MDA and its ongoing dedication to improving the lives of people with neuromuscular diseases.
About Clear Channel Radio
With 237 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Radio has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel radio serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations and an additional 100 cities and 4,000 stations through its syndicated products. The company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com, and on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads, HP TouchPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.ccmediaholdings.com.
About the MDA Telethon
The 46th annual MDA Labor Day Telethon will air on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, on more than 150 television stations. The six-hour prime-time event will feature about 20 performances by some of the biggest names in show business. Broadcast from 6 p.m. to midnight in every U.S. time zone, the show also will be streamed live online. Co-hosts for the 2011 MDA Telethon are Nigel Lythgoe (“American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance”), Nancy O’Dell (“Entertainment Tonight”), Alison Sweeney (“The Biggest Loser” and author of The Mommy Diet), and Jann Carl (Emmy-winning journalist and independent producer).
About the MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. See the award-winning MDA “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” PSAs.
In addition to funding more than 330 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; orchestrates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and facilitates extraordinary local summer camp opportunities for thousands youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases. Known globally for the MDA Labor Day Telethon, the Association is the first nonprofit to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.”
ABOUT WHOOZNXT
WHOOZNXT.COM is the first and only media network that rewards emerging artists for growing their digital fan base with real-world, high-profile exposure opportunities for television, radio and live performances, including ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the Vans Warped Tour and the Dew Tour.