The Chicago Pop Festival Presents
THE WORLD'S FIRST-EVER GLORIA-OFF
Humorist Dave Barry said "You can throw a guitar off a cliff, and as it bounces off rocks on the way down, it will, all by itself, play 'Gloria'."[1]
While we don't necessarily want you to do that, we're not going to hold you back!! Any way you can, we want you to enter "The World's First Ever Gloria-Off."
We're conducting this two-part Battle of the Bands so anyone and everyone has a chance to win. Contestants will submit videos of themselves playing what is the definitive garage band tune, "Gloria," in honor of The Shadows Of Knight, named by Little Steven Van Zant in Billboard Magazine's "Best of" in May 2008 list as the #1 Garage Band of All Time!!
This Battle will begin virtually, online. The winners in each category will be picked by members of The Shadows of Knight and other celebrity judges AND with your votes. The winners in each category will perform at the Chicago Music Scene Book Launch & Chicago Pop Festival Preview Party Sunday, November 22, 2009 where the panel of judges and the audience will choose the Gloria-off Grand Champion.
The World's First-Ever Gloria-Off is Pro Am. Both seasoned Chicago musicians and the unsung throngs, teeming on the shores of Lake Michigan, who yearn to be famous can enter the "Gloria-Off," and win swell prizes!!!
"Like what???" you may well ask. Hey...we'll get back to ya when we finalize 'em. But....there will be reading and listening material, as well as some semi-valuable collectibles. (And if that's not vague enough for ya, then...we apologize!!!)
We want this to be a huge, fun deal. So do your best (or your worst) to make "Gloria" come alive. Grease up your garage floors, fire up the old phonecam, and let fly whatever version of the greatest no-brainer tune ever. We'll pit the best/worst of the local pros and amateurs against each other and see who the champs and the chumps are!!
Does it have to be guitar / bass / drums? Absolutely not! It can be piccolo, tuba and bongo drums if you want. Chicago – show us YOUR Gloria!!!
Rules & Procedure
Round 1: Online "Show Us Whatcha Got, And Make It Good."
The Judges will be The Shadows of Knight, Dean Milano and other notables. Audience vote will count for 50% of the total score. Entries will be judged on a 1-10 scale on quality, style, originality and execution in each of the four categories:
- AUTHENTICITY (Closest To The Original)
- ORIGINALITY (Least Like The Original)
- SLICK-A-BILITY (Most Exciting/Slickest/KnockYerSocksOff
- MIS-CONGENIALITY (Most Regrettable)
Entering is simple. To be considered, contestants must:
- Post their videos on YouTube or on their own web site.
- Visit our Registration Page and submit your information, including the link to your video entry.
That's it - easy as 1, 2! In fact, so easy that even a drummer can do it!
A couple of rules
- Entries may not exceed 4 minutes in length.
- All entries must be posted by Monday November 9th.
- Deadline Extended to Saturday November 14th.
- Online judging and voting will conclude by 10pm Sunday November 15
- Winners in each of the 4 categories will be announced Tuesday, November 17
- Online voting counts for 50% of the score so have your fans register and vote!
- Winners in all four categories will perform their version live at the Chicago Music Scene Book Launch & Chicago Pop Festival preview Sunday afternoon, November 22 and compete for the Grand Gloria title.
- Families of the Shadows Of Knight and Chicago Pop Festival personnel are not eligible to win, but what-the-hey, anyone can post.
- We would appreciate a donation of $10 or more with your entry. It's not a requirement, but it would be awfully nice of you to support our Mission and Charities.
Bands - register and post your entries here
Voters - register and vote here
Round 2: LIVE! - Battle Of The Bands "The Proof Is In The Playing"
The top four contestants – the winners in each category - must perform their version at the party LIVE Sunday November 22, in an old-school Battle Of The Bands in order to win, so you should be from the Chicago area.
Each of the four acts will be judged by our illustrious panel of judges, which includes members of The Shadows of Knight, Dean Milano and other Chicago notables to be announced. As in any proper Battle of the Bands, audience response plays a huge role, so bring your fans to the party.
The Gloria-off Grand Champion will be announced that Knight (ERRRRR, night), and publicized to the media accordingly. Prizes may include a performance slot at Chicago Pop Festival in the spring, free admission to Chicago Pop Festival in spring 2010, cash and other exciting prizes are yet to be determined. Watch this space for updates!
Source: Dave Barry, July 10, 1994, Column; Glory Days, Miami Herald