FORTUNE magazine announced today the eight bands that will be advancing to final competition of the “Ninth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands.” The first music competition of its kind, the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands provides amateur, company-sponsored bands the opportunity to step out of the conference room and celebrate their passion for music. The eight qualifying bands will take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 2-3, 2009, and have the opportunity to earn the title of best corporate band.

FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is a partnership between NAMM (the trade association of the international music products industry), FORTUNE magazine, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The national competition celebrates the positive effects of making music, which has been shown to increase employee morale and productivity in the workplace. Event proceeds benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational programs.

From the 34 entries, 18 bands from across the country were chosen to participate in one of two semi-final regional competitions, and in the end, eight finalists were selected to vie for the top spot.

The finalists of the Ninth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands include:

“Aeroroot” from Frontier Natural Products (Norway, Iowa)
Formed five years ago during a lunch break, “Aeroroot” is made up of three current and former employees of Frontier, a natural and organic product co-op. The band derives its name from the herb arrowroot, one of the natural products of Frontier.

“Manage This” from Symantec (Lindon, Utah)
Made up of five Symantec employees, “Manage This” has released an album and is best known for its cover of “What I Like About You.”

“Roland’s Stones” from Chevron (Pascagoula, MS)
The general manager of the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, Roland Kell, formed Roland’s Stones in 2006 to provide a fun and entertaining way to engage employees and boost morale. The 13-member band plays at company gatherings and has quickly become a big hit!

“The S.A.P.’s” from Johnson & Johnson (Morristown, NJ)
Made up of seven Johnson & Johnson IT, logistics and supply chain employees, The S.A.P.’s prove that IT professionals can rock!

“Slump” from Oceanside Glasstile (Carlsbad, Calif.)
This executive leadership team rocks out to all-tile-themed cover songs. “Slump,” which includes the company’s president and executive vice president, plays regularly at trade shows and major venues, such as the House of Blues.

“The St. Jude’s Mighty Electric Band” from St. Jude’s Hospital (Memphis, TN)
Formed in 2002, The St. Jude’s Mighty Electric Band “rocks for a reason” by donating proceeds from performances to help save lives.

“Strat 5” from Healthways (Franklin, TN)
Founded in 1995, Strat 5 is comprised of seven Healthways employees. Headquartered near Nashville, Healthways is located in the heart of the music scene and regularly performs in the area.

“The Weasels” from The Sunflower Group (Overland, Kan.)
Comprising of six employees from Overland Park-based Sunflower Group, “The Weasels” came together in 1991. The band has developed a following in Kansas City, and perform together at least twice a month at local venues.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays and Saturdays (through September 5), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $22 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for youth (9-12). When you become a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the world of rock and roll becomes yours to explore. Call 216.515.1939 for information on becoming a member. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK or visit www.rockhall.com.

About FORTUNE

FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism with a worldwide circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million, with major franchises including the FORTUNE 500 and the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For. FORTUNE Live Media extends the brand's mission into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences, including the FORTUNE Global Forum. FORTUNE magazine’s online home is CNNMoney.com, the most visited and utilized business destination website.

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