Irvine, Calif.’s regional festival of music announced the battle of the bands “Be The Band”Contest, which accepts submissions from emerging bands across the country.

The OC Music Fest’s ten stages will host the announcement of the winner band. It will take place in May 2009. You will receive a Dodge Sprinter Cargo Van and 1,000 gallons worth of biofuel. Cash prizes are also available.

OC Music Fest 09 is a festival and event that will feature nearly 100 bands and artists over three days. Artists will have the opportunity to work together, establish relationships, gain exposure and collaborate – 20,000 to 65,000 spectators are expected.

“My heart has always been in helping the unsigned, up-and-coming developing artists,”Wayne Irving, the founder and director of OC Music Fest. “Ten weeks ago, we decided to make it happen in 2009, and since then, more than 2,000 artists from around the globe have solicited to be a part of this exciting event.”

The “Be The Band Contest”This offer is valid through December 15, 2008. Artists Relations professionals will review entries through an innovative online tracking system. Artists can log in to view the status of each entry and review it. Once a song or an audio recording has been processed, it will be displayed digitally on www.ocmusicfest09.com.

Participation requires a $99 submission fee. Reviewers will review the submissions and choose the most promising bands. Eighty bands are selected to be showcased on the OCMF stages.

Bedford from Australia is one of the early artist entries (www.myspace.com/bedfordrockAshleigh Cole, Estill Springs (Tenn.)www.myspace.com/ashleighcolemusic), Roman Alexander and The Robbery (myspace.com/romanalexanderandtherobbery) and LiTaL from Sherman Oaks, Calif. (www.myspace.com/litalsjourney

“The ability for artists to follow their recordings through the different steps of the review process is something that will make the process much more rewarding for artists,”Ryan Foland, vice-president of New Business. “Getting real time props and critiques, and in some cases, allowing the artist to make adjustments to a song and repost them to their account will make for a more robust two-way relationship with artists and OC Music Fest’s appointed A&R Professionals.”

For more information, visit betheband.ocmusicfest09.com or myspace.com/ocmusicfest.