Follow Me to Manchester: BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo Returns for 7th Year

Competition and New Roo Radio Show Kick Off Feb. 23

Posted in News on February 3, 2015

Nashville’s favorite celebration of its delectably motley music scene is back. BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo 2015 will take over the Mercy Lounge and High Watt on three upcoming Mondays in Nashville: February 23, March 9, and April 6. RTB 2015 marks the seventh consecutive year of BMI’s competition, in which 30 local standouts will vie for three performance slots at Bonnaroo 2015, slated for June 11-14 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Half camaraderie-building party, half fierce battle of the bands, RTB was Nashville’s first collective effort to send homegrown talent to Roo when it debuted seven years ago. Each of the three installments of RTB 2015 will feature 10 artists delivering hard-hitting three-song sets. Doors open each night at 7 p.m., the music starts at 8 p.m., and there’s never a cover charge.

The lineup slated for RTB 2015 on Feb. 23 is:

• DeRobert & The Half Truths
• Koa
• Sol Cat
• Elise Davis
• Liz Cooper & The Stampede
• Tesla Rossa
• The Future
• Sexx
• The Trinity Schill Kill
• The Wans

Other bands set to compete in the 7th annual RTB include Sara Jean Kelley, Ugly Kids Club, Promised Land Sound, Jack of the Ville, Future Unlimited, Earl Burrows, Phin, Frances & the Foundation, That’s My Kid, Chrome Pony, Jawws, Buffalo Rodeo, Idle Bloom, Timbre, Penicillin Baby and more. Specific lineups will be announced soon.

Even more big news: For the first time ever, Bonnaroo’s carefully curated in-house radio station Roo Radio will feature a new monthly show, The Road to Bonnaroo Radio Hour, Powered by BMI, dedicated to all-things RTB. Scheduled to air February 23, March 9, April 6, May 4, June 1, and July 6, the RTB Radio Hour will feature 2015 RTB participants, past winners, and other anticipated BMI Roo performers.

Stream Roo Radio here or download the Bonnaroo app for access.

RTB 2015 will follow the rules established in previous years: ten bands will perform three-song sets during each installment of the series. To select the evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprised of local music journalists, bloggers, 8 off 8th hosts, and past RTB winners will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan votes through onsite ballots determine the other half.

Last year’s RTB winners Blank Range, ELEL, and Kansas Bible Company represented Nashville with panache at Bonnaroo 2014. Other past winners include Caitlin Rose, Chancellor Warhol, Wild Cub, By Lightning, Fly Golden Eagle, and more.

The 7th annual RTB is sponsored by BMI, the Mercy Lounge and High Watt, the Nashville Scene, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Follow this year’s competition on Twitter: #Rd2Bonnaroo.

BMI’s involvement underscores the organization’s vital role as an early career counselor and support system for aspiring songwriters and bands. As an initial point of contact for burgeoning artists, BMI serves as a fundamental bridge, connecting promising talent with industry decision-makers, as well as with invaluable opportunities, including performance slots on stages at SXSW, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza, the Hangout Music Festival, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and more.

SOURCENews TAGS Indie Nashville Bonnaroo