Cumulus Media Launches Second Annual neXt2rock 2018

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 25, 2018

Next2rock

neXt2rock 2018 led by Cumulus Media kicks off its second annual grassroots and national search for the nation's newest star in over 46 markets across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Beginning Monday, local artists may enter the competition via the neXt2rock website or one of the 55 local stations websites. The winner of this four-month-long competition, announced by Korn front man Jonathan Davis, will receive a record deal on John Varvatos Records under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, as well as substantial airplay on Cumulus oulets.

Davis commented, "It is an honor to be chosen by Cumulus Media to act as a mentor to up and coming artists for their neXt2rock program. Radio still holds such a heavy influence in music discovery, and the rock genre is relying on new artists to keep moving it forward. I'm looking forward to seeing the talent in this new generation."

The neXt2rock 2017 winner, Ivory Blue, released her debut single "Ready Get Set" on June 18 and is currently moving up the charts. Additionally, last year's finalist Another Day Dawns is currently working with songwriter Desmond Child (Kiss, Cher, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson & Serena Gomez) and Grammy nominated engineer/producer David Ivory (Halestorm, Silvertide and The Roots).

"The level of talent gets better and more competitive every year, and further supports Cumulus Media's investment in the future of radio and music," said Executive VP/Content & Programming Mike McVay. He added, "With Millennials and Gen Xers' renewed interest in rock music, Cumulus has even more opportunity for growth, providing expanded exclusive content and programming for music fans."

Listeners will be invited to rate the emerging artists, with local music pros helping select the local finalist. The top 5 finalists, and ultimately the 2018 winner, will be selected by a panel of rock luminaries, including Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Hall of Fame Songwriter Desmond Child and wrestler and Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho, among others.

Local artists may enter the competition via the neXt2rock website or participating local station websites. Listeners in their communities will rate each competitor's original song, along with local music industry professionals. Local markets will then host live events or select their finalist by judging the contestants in a video performance of that original song. Five of the local finalists will be selected to compete at the national finale event -- a live concert, hosted in Los Angeles on October 4, where a panel of celebrity judges will announce the neXt2rock 2018 winner.