Winning group to perform live with The Bangles and Sick of Sarah at a private daytime showcase hosted by maurices during South by Southwest 2011

A local band is one step closer to having its dreams of stardom come true on its journey to becoming the winner of maurices "Small Town Sound" nationwide search, and the regional community can help make it happen.

From a field of 500-plus bands, Euralea! Of Moline, Ill., has been chosen as a top 10 finalist in maurices "Small Town Sound" contest. The contest was created in partnership with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids to discover the hottest up-and-coming female-fronted band in the country. The goal of "Small Town Sound" is to ultimately give bands like Euralea!, which plays Pop/Rock music, their big break.

"We've entered contests before but have never gotten this far," said Aaron Mattson of Euralea!. "We know we have a good sound and vision that everybody in the band has worked hard to get across, but it's completely different to know that others feel the same."

Online voting last month cut the field of 525 bands to 50, and a group of panelists including The Bangles, Chrissie Hynde and Sick of Sarah, narrowed it to the 10 finalists. The finalists each had two weeks to create an original song based on the "Small Town Sound" theme. The songs are now playing in maurices stores nationwide and are also posted online, where people can vote from now through December 15, 2010. The general public is invited to vote on the best original song to help determine the grand prize winner and the two runners' up.

The winner will receive several incredible opportunities to let their star power shine. The band will perform live at their local maurices store, fly to Los Angeles to shoot a music video and record their winning song at the PlayNetwork production studio, and receive gifts from maurices and Daisy Rock Guitars. In addition, the winning group will perform live with The Bangles and Sick of Sarah at a private daytime showcase hosted by maurices during South by Southwest 2011.

"Small towns inspire us," said Lisa Bartlett, maurices associate vice president. "They're the heart of America, and we want to give bands with big dreams from small towns their breakthrough chance. Friends and neighbors have the chance to help make Euralea!'s dreams come true."

People are encouraged to log on to maurices.com and click on "Small Town Sound" to listen to the top 10 bands and then cast their vote.

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Hersong, the Quad Cities Women's Chorus, strives to promote and develop women's music as a significant expression of the strength, dignity, and sisterhood of all women, as well as social justice, world peace, cultural diversity, the healing of the environment and community outreach. St. John's Lutheran Church is a place for All people. They are very involved with their community and open their doors to all who walk in. Visit their calendar of events at www.stjohnsri.org.

Theplace2b, provides a safe haven for our community's youth, The numbers of homeless, displaced and near homeless youth have been steadily increasing in the Quad-Cities. Theplace2b offers a variety of support services to these youth, ranging from house options to counseling services to academic support. They have an ongoing need please check their website www.theplace2b.org.

For more information or to donate, please contact Brooke Wilson Clemons by email Hersong@earthlink.net or 309-737-9898.

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DAVENPORT, IA, November 15, 2010

The River Music Experience (RME) is proud to present nationally known folksinger, Danika Holmes, in concert on November 20, 2010 at 8:30 PM. The concert will be held at The Redstone Room located at 129 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at http://rivermusicexperience.eventquick.com/emmpublic/ or at the door.

Singer, songwriter and musician, Danika Holmes, is a specialty in the folk music world. Music critics agree that Danika is charming and energetic with a welcoming tone in her voice, which is as gentle as a breeze.

Currently, Danika's music is being broadcast on independent radio stations, blogs, and podcasts around the world. She performs regularly with her band, has opened for The Nadas, and her show was aired on Iowa Public Television and Radio. "Second Chances," Danika's debut album, was released in March of 2010. Shortly thereafter, a fan favorite, "Lock Me In Tonight," was made into Danika's first music video and was released in June 2010.

"Danika Holmes is a rising star in the heartland!" says Bill Sullivan of The Rock and Roll Report.