Teens to Vie for Best Teen Band in the USA Title Live in Downtown Disney District

Chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of music industry judges, eight teen bands across the U.S. will spend their winter break honing their craft, having made it to the finals round in the National Association of Music Merchant’s (NAMM) annual SchoolJam USA competition. On Jan. 26, 2013, during the world-famous NAMM Show, the bands will strut their musical skills at the live battle of the bands in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, CA.

In its fourth year, SchoolJam USA highlights teens’ musical talent and promotes active participation in school music education programs, awarding more than $50,000 in cash and prizes to the finalist teen bands and their local school music programs.

“The benefits of music making for teens have been well documented, but that’s not what gets kids excited about SchoolJam,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “It’s all about discovering the joy of playing and writing new music with friends. This year's finalists are all very talented amateur musicians. It's our pleasure to put a spotlight on these bands during the NAMM Show and in turn support school music programs across the country."

This year, “Twilight” sensation Booboo Stewart (Seth Clearwater) and his sister, Fivel, will co-host the event with Channel One News anchor Scott Evans. Fivel, who plays keyboard and vocals and Booboo who plays guitar and at times, drums will take a break from hosting to entertain the crowd with a selection of their original pop-rock hits.   

“My sister Fivel and I have played instruments since we were little, and can’t imagine our lives without making music,” said actor/musician Booboo Stewart, who will co-host and perform.  “When we heard about SchoolJam USA and the awesome opportunities it gives kids who want to play music, we knew we had to get involved.  There’s so much talent in these bands. We’re excited to be part of a program that is making kids’ musical dreams come true.”

The 2013 SchoolJam USA finalists with links to bios, photography and demos, including original music are:

• Beyond Doubt, Louisville, KY – www.bit.ly/BeyondDoubt
• Cheating Daylight, Vacaville, CA – www.bit.ly/CheatingDaylight
• Ergo We Play, Knoxville, TN – www.bit.ly/ErgoWePlay
• Fools and Sages, Los Angeles, CA – www.bit.ly/FoolsandSages
• Harlem Shuffle, Salt Lake City, UT – www.bit.ly/HarlemShuffle
• Premium Blend, San Diego, CA – www.bit.ly/PremiumBlend
• Romance of Thieves, San Francisco, CA - www.bit.ly/RomanceofThieves
• Synergy, Springville, UT – www.bit.ly/SyngeryBand

Each band is guaranteed to receive at least $1,000 in funding for their school music program, and the winning band will walk away with the grand prize, including the title of Best Teen Band in the USA, a trip to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany, a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music program.

SchoolJam is an established music initiative, originally developed by MM MusikMedia Germany to promote popular and rock music in schools throughout Germany. The program has provided thousands of music-loving young adults with the opportunity to perform and network with their peers, increasing their love for playing music and encouraging them to become active musicians.