The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fortune and NAMM Announce the Winners of the Sixth Annual Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands

Suit Tie Hi Fi, the corporate band from the workers compensation firm Cambridge Australia based in Sydney, Australia, was awarded top honors in the final playoffs of The Sixth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands. Nine bands competed in the final playoffs Oct. 7, 2006, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum after a yearlong musical competition.

The announcement was made today by the main sponsors of the event FORTUNE, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry. As grand-prize winners, Suit Tie Hi Fi band members will receive an all-expense paid "Rock Star" trip to the 2007 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., January 18-21, 2007, courtesy of NAMM.

The panel of judges for the event were Jeff Carlisi (38 Special), Liberty Devitto (Billy Joel), Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett, Roger Daltrey), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan).

In addition to first place winners Suit Tie Hi Fi, other award recipients included:

• Second Place: SAS Band, SAS Institute (New York, N.Y.)
• Third Place: Soul Focus, American Century Investments (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Chrysler Fans Choice Award: Soul Focus, American Century Investments (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Best Vocalist: Mark Potter, Suit Tie Hi Fi (Sydney, Australia) – Prize: A Trion professional tube mic from CAD Microphones, a personal vocal monitor from TC Electronics / Helicon and a pro mic cable from Planet Waves - D'Addario.
• Best Guitarist: Dana Rafiee, SAS Band (New York, N.Y.) - Prize: 57 Les Paul Custom Vintage Original Spec guitar from Gibson Custom Shop.
• Best Drummer: Al Mannarino, SAS Band (New York, N.Y.) – Prize: Gretch custom snare drum from KAMAN, stick/brush/mallet pack from Harris Musical Products, a bass drum mic mount from Kelly Concepts and a set of drum heads and accessory pack from Evans - D'Addario.
• Best Bassist: David Leoncavalo, Rage the Machine Again (Oxnard, Calif.) – Prize: Takamine acoustic/electric bass and custom case from KAMAN, wireless system from Nady Systems, Hangman guitar stand from Vision Pop and a strings / accessory pack from Planet Waves - D'Addario.
• Best Keyboardist: Joe Dingwerth, Soul Focus (Kansas City, Mo.) An Edirol by Roland PCR-M80 keyboard from Roland Corp., a rolling keyboard flight case from SKB, a pair of pro studio headphones from Audio-Technica and an instrument cable from Planet Waves - D'Addario.
• Best Horn Player: Adam Adelkopf, Unrestricted Identity (New York, N.Y.) – Prize: A saxophone and care kit from VJ Rendano, a clip-on saxophone mic from Audio Technica, and an accessory kit from Rico – D'Addario.

"NAMM would like to thank all of the talented Weekend Warrior bands who participated in this year's battle," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "We're very encouraged by the growing number of companies that are embracing employee bands. ;Research shows that playing music reduces stress, improves morale, reduces turnover and gives people a new way to enjoy their professional lives. Besides that, these bands looked like they were having the time of their lives on stage."

The FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is a partnership with FORTUNE magazine, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Educational Programs, and NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry. This annual event celebrates the positive effects that music has on productivity and morale in the business world and raises funds for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's education programs. The Sixth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is sponsored by NAMM, Gibson Guitars, Keybank, Air Products, Lava World Intl., Camp Jam Inc. and Chrysler.

The FORTUNE Battle of The Corporate Bands encourages friendly competition among a vast variety of companies that support their employees, recognizing that music helps develop teamwork, discipline, creativity, passion, harmony and commitment – all skills that are valued in business. Compelling scientific findings link active music making to measurable improvements in health and wellness. In addition, music making helps reduce stress and anxiety. Statistics, research and results of scientific studies about the multiple benefits of music making are available at www.namm.org.