Rockin' to the Top of the Corporate Ladder

Seven company bands recently took to the stage to rock the suits and ties off their cube-mates and corporate competitors at the Seventh Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands.

Many have fantasized about stepping on stage; the energy of screaming fans, excitement of lights flashing and adrenaline pumping out of every pore. For a moment in time being the definition of cool—a genuine rock star. The seven finalists got to live that dream as they battled it out for the top spot at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

The finalists came from across the nation to compete, placing in various “Best Of” categories, including Best Bass Player Mike Henney of The Subliminals, Best Guitarist Larry Thomas of Soul Focus, Best Keyboardist Joe Dingwerth of Soul Focus, Best Drummer Joe Calzone of Trainwreck (Calzone Case Co.), Best Horns Matt Caporalette and Dave Mullen of The Subliminals, and Best Vocals The Subliminals (Amanda Bohn, Ivy Mitchell, Maggie Ryder, Denise Rasberry and Erin Sweeney). Second place for overall band went to Full Mesh from Juniper Networks and The Subliminals from Grey Worldwide in a tie, and third place went to Band Tourismo from Sony Computer Entertainment. Soul Focus, an 11-member band from American Century Investments in Kansas City, wowed the crowd and placed first for best overall band—securing a well-deserved spot on the trophy shelf of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Soul Focus also won the Ford Sync “Fan’s Choice Award” as voted by thousands of visitors to the contest’s site.

“This has been an unbelievable experience for all of us,” said Larry Thomas, guitarist for Soul Focus. “Who knew that our desire to liven up the office would result in an opportunity to live out our rock 'n' roll fantasies and bring us all closer together. The stress of work was definitely far from our minds when we stepped on stage.”

The first music competition of its kind, the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands provides amateur, company-sponsored bands the opportunity to bridge the work/life balance by jamming with their co-workers. These bands—ranging in age from teens to baby boomers—prove it is never too late to start making music, and show no sign of slowing down.

Kenny Olsen (former guitarist for Kid Rock and his new project The Flask), Jimmy Fox (drummer for The James Gang) and Ed Bailey (Austin City Limits) had the tough job of judging this year’s competition. And this year, there was no shortage of talent, energy or pure entertainment.

“These great bands should serve as an inspiration to the 82 percent of Americans who wish they played a musical instrument,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “They are living proof of not only how fun making music is, but also that it is a healthy hobby to explore at any age. We hope this competition continues to grow as more people discover the many benefits of playing music with your co-workers.”

Started in 2001, FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is a partnership between NAMM, the not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, FORTUNE magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and celebrates the positive effects of making music, which has been shown to increase employee morale and productivity in the workplace. In fact, recent research conducted with long-term care workers showed reduced employee turnover (18.3 percent decrease) because of the implementation of a company-sponsored recreational music making program. The competition recognizes that music helps develop teamwork, discipline, creativity, passion, harmony and commitment—all skills that are valued in business.

All proceeds from the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands competition benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's education programs. Soul Focus will receive gear from event sponsors and a special “rock star” trip to the 2008 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tenn., June 18–20, 2008. Along with FORTUNE, NAMM and The Rock Hall, the Battle of the Corporate Bands is sponsored by Gibson, KeyBank, Lava World International, Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and Air Products.

About the 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 the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $20 for adults, $14 for seniors (60+), $11 for children (9-12) and children 8 and under and Museum members are free.

About FORTUNE
FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism known for its unrivaled access to industry leaders and decision makers. Founded in 1930, FORTUNE magazine has a worldwide circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million and is home to some of the strongest business franchises, including FORTUNE 500, Best Companies, America's Most Admired Companies, Fastest Growing Companies and Most Powerful Women. The FORTUNE Conference Division extends the brand's mission into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences for top-level executives, including the FORTUNE Global Forum and the Most Powerful Women Summit. FORTUNE’s online home is
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