ST. LOUIS, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Known throughout the
West Coast for their sold out extended play (EP) recording, "Change
of Pace," the alternative pop/rock band Sunderland is about to be
known well beyond the Pacific Northwest. As winner of Charter's
national battle of the bands contest, Charter Center Stage,
Sunderland will take center stage to open for Panic! At the
Disco, Fitz & The Tantrums, and Plain White T's at an
outdoor concert on October 15 in
Madison, WI to be streamed live on
Facebook®.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110526/AQ10195LOGO)
Sunderland, from Hood River,
OR, received the most votes on the Charter Center
Stage website, where voters viewed music videos from the 11
contest finalists and voted for the band they wanted to see open
the Center Stage concert. Sunderland was the top vote
recipient in the second round of online voting for 11 bands.
More than 300 bands entered during the first round.
Sunderland receives a prize package valued at nearly $25,000, which includes an all-expense paid trip
to the October 15 concert with VIP
treatment and a musical equipment allowance.
"We are incredibly grateful to receive the most votes in the
Charter Center Stage battle," said Sunderland's Dylan Bauld. "We entered the competition just
before half of our equipment was stolen on tour in Denver. Thanks to Charter, we've been provided
this opportunity to replace our equipment, along with the thrill of
opening a live concert for three great bands."
Members of Sunderland include lead singer and guitarist
McKinley Kitts, with Dylan Bauld on bass and back-up vocals,
Vaughan Heppe on drums and guitarist
Zachary Grace. Sunderland's winning
selection and music video, as well as the videos from all the
finalists, can be viewed at charter.com/concert.
"We're passionate performers who love to have fun on stage,"
Bauld stated. "And we're looking forward to rocking the crowd in
Madison and those watching live on
Facebook."
Allan Samson, Charter's Senior
Vice President of Marketing, added that the Charter Center
Stage website received more than one billion impressions. "The
Internet took center stage in helping Sunderland and the other
bands gain fan recognition and support. As a leading
Internet service provider, this kind of online enthusiasm for music
is no surprise. The number of fans that watched over 300 bands vie
online for this concert opportunity proves that the power of the
Internet and social media, coupled with numerous talented bands,
unites music lovers across the country. We hope our Oct. 15 concert, streamed live via Facebook, will
be the start of a great next chapter for Sunderland."
Charter Center Stage concert will be held October 15 at Willow
Island, Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI. The concert will also be streamed
LIVE online via Facebook. Visit charter.com/concert for more
information.
About Charter
Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications
company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full
range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter
TV® video entertainment programming, Charter Internet® access, and
Charter Phone®. Charter Business® similarly provides scalable,
tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to
business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet
access, data networking, business telephone, video and music
entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter's
advertising sales and production services are sold under the
Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found
at charter.com.
SOURCE Charter Communications, Inc.