Fans Across the Globe to Choose the Opening Act for Hard Rock Calling 2010


ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - May 28, 2010) - Just like a crowd controls an encore at a great concert, music fans worldwide can now control the destiny of one band, and give them the shot of a lifetime -- a spot on the main stage at the Hard Rock Calling 2010 concert festival in London! After battling it out at Hard Rock Cafe locations across the U.S., 10 bands from Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands have been chosen from a talented pool of more than 250 acts. 

Finalists from 26 cities have been reviewed by a star-studded panel of artists and music industry professionals, led by Little Steven Van Zandt of the legendary E Street Band. The distinguished panel also includes Live Nation Vice President of Promotions Toby Leighton-Pope, SPIN Magazine editor Doug Brod, Sr. Director of Brand Philanthropy, Memorabilia and Artist Relations for Hard Rock International Annie Balliro, Absolute Radio Director of Marketing Clare Baker and 2009 Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands winners Rudy Vaughn

The panel deliberated long and hard, and has now chosen 10 bands to compete in the finals: More Than Me from Niagara Falls; Ben Deignan from Atlanta; Friends of Adam from Honolulu; Thomas Wynn & the Believers from Orlando; The Cold Stares from Nashville; London Heights from Hollywood, FL; 40 Sons from Toronto; VerseCity from Houston; Kingston 530 from Boston; and Avienne from Detroit.

Every Vote Rocks!
Now, it's up to fans all over the world! Beginning now through June 6th, fans will be able to visit www.HardRock.com to cast their votes and choose the one lucky band that will perform on the main stage at Hard Rock Calling 2010 in London's Hyde Park.

Hard Rock Calling 2010
One of the U.K.'s most-anticipated concert events and the kick-off to Hard Rock's 2010 Ambassadors of Rock Tour, Hard Rock Calling 2010 will be held from Friday, June 25th through Sunday, June 27th in London's Hyde Park. Rock icons Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney will headline Hard Rock Calling, along with more than a dozen top bands performing on two stages. Promising three days of unparalleled music, Hard Rock Calling 2010 will also feature performances by The Hives, The Gaslight Anthem, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Wolfmother, Jamiroquai, Corrine Bailey Rae, James Morrison and more. Additional artists for the 2010 line-up will be announced leading up to the event and tickets for the festival are available at www.hardrockcalling.com. In addition to renowned bands and an on-site Hard Rock Cafe, the festival will include a market area, performance art, a healing area and a "chill out" zone.

Pack Your Bags & Get a Passport!
Fans can also register to win trips to Hard Rock Calling and other exciting Ambassador of Rock Tour stops around the world, including airfare and first-class hotel accommodations by entering the global sweepstakes on www.hardrock.com. The 2010 Ambassadors of Rock Tour will also include shows featuring top artists in Los Angeles; Biloxi; Las Vegas; Dubai; Orlando and Hollywood, Florida; Singapore and London.

For further information, please visit www.hardrock.com

About Hard Rock International
With a total of 163 venues in 52 countries, including 131 cafes and 13 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang, Tulsa and Singapore. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Punta Cana, scheduled to open in 2010; Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Brian Siemienas
Hard Rock International
+1-407-445-7625

Meredith DeSanti
Kristen Hauser
Coyne PR
+1-973-316-1665