Next month I'll be a guest judge at the Made In Reno Music Showcase at Pioneer Underground.  This is going to be an extremely good time, and I'm looking forward to it.  Here's a press release they put out!


RENO, Nev. — Back for a fifth year, Made In Reno — a showcase of the phenomenal original songwriting and performing talent percolating in the Biggest Little City’s music scene — will run on two consecutive Thursdays this year: April 25 and May 2.
The Pioneer Underground and Smiley Mikey Present Made In Reno: The Search for Reno’s Best Songwriter, will take place in the Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., in the plaza shared with the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. The shows are open to all ages. Hosting the showcases are local comedians Matt Wiegand and Smiley Mikey.
Twenty acts, either solo artists or bands, with original songs, and that are based in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area, will perform one song each on April 25 — with judges selecting six total winners to perform two songs at a second show on May 2, to determine the top three finishers.
The overall winner will receive recognition as “Reno’s Best Songwriter” and qualify to have an original recording receive airplay on KDOT-FM 104.5 (“Rock 104.5”).
Lotus Radio Corp. is cosponsoring the event along with RGJ Media (Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Metromix), and Guitar Center.
• There will be two shows — each with 10 different acts — on April 25. The first show will start at 6 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.); the second show will start at 9:15 p.m. (doors at 8:45 p.m.).
• The finals show, on May 2, will begin at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.).
This year’s event will feature an acoustic format. Acts will perform their songs using acoustic instruments. They also have the option of singing along to a professionally recorded performance track of their songs.
“This annual showcase of songwriters or bands doing original music is Reno’s opportunity to show the world one of the great secrets about The Biggest Little City: the amazing songwriting and performing skills nurtured right here,” said co-producer and event creator Michael Sion (aka Smiley Mikey). “Some of these acts are veterans with regional followings. Others are young up-and-comers who, with the proper boost, are destined to make a big splash nationally and beyond.”
Ten of the 20 participating acts will be chosen by the co-producer based on the acts’ songwriting skill, reputation, fan following and professionalism. Ten additional acts will be chosen through on-line voting in March. The bill of acts will be announced by early April.
 
Tickets for this event are $12 in advance and $17 the day of the show. Get more information and buy tickets at www.renotahoecomedy.com. Tickets are also available at the Pioneer Center for the Arts box office from 11am – 6pm Monday through Friday, and at the Pioneer Underground on show nights between 6pm and 11pm. Fees may apply. No refunds. For a complete Reno Tahoe Comedy schedule, go to www.renotahoecomedy.com.