Just so everybody knows what they are voting for, here is how the contest is going down:
http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jun/12/4-steps-take/
"Between Thursday, August 21 and Sunday, August 24, the top fives from each region will compete live and in person, playing their jams to crowds of friends, fans, and music enthusiasts who will ultimately select the best of the bunch. From there, one winner from each region will play live at Alameda Park on Labor Day weekend. There, a select group of professionals will sit back, enjoy the show, and together determine who takes home the top prize."
"this year's winning band/performer will win a slot on the Main Stage of the 2008 West Beach Music Festival."
so basically, this first round of online voting doesn't get any of the bands anything except for a chance to play a regional qualifying show, with the regional winners playing another show to determine an ultimate winner. If the winners from each region in the online voting are not ready or available to play live on the given date for each regional show, they obviously won't progress to the West Beach show.
Also, the later end of the contest is partially judged by folks from the
West Beach show... and I'm guessing they are not fans of the Metal genre, judging by who is scheduled to play the show already! Jason Mraz and Ziggy Marley to name a couple.
http://www.westbeachfestival.com/
Thanks,
Bob-E
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Drummer of StompRocket
Webmaster of Independent.com