DigitalRodeo Sponsors 'Tootsies To The Ryman' Talent Search Competition

Nashville, TN (Top 40 Charts/ DigitalRodeo Official Website) - Country music's fastest-growing online social network has partnered with legendary Nashville radio station WSM to hold a series of open auditions for the WSM-AM 83rd Anniversary Listener Appreciation Concert at the Ryman Nov. 6.

Auditions are currently being held at Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville. Ten contestants will be selected from the first three rounds and compete in the finals on Friday, Oct. 24. The last round of auditions will be Oct. 17.

"We thought it was a natural fit for Digital Rodeo to step in alongside WSM and Tootsies and help provide another unique opportunity for independent artists out there to gain prominent exposure," said DigitalRodeo.com Director of Marketing and Promotions John Pyne.

The winner will be given an opportunity to open for Ronnie Milsap and the Grascals at WSM's birthday celebration Nov. 6, as well as a single-song recording session at 16 Ton Studios, a Harrah's Metropolis Prize Pack and a front-page announcement on DigitalRodeo.com.

"We're very excited to be partnering with Digital Rodeo in promoting the 'Tootsies to the Ryman' contest," said Chris Kulick, Genral Manager at 650 WSM-AM. "We share a global vision to interact with Country music fans and artists around the world, so it makes for a perfect relationship."

DigitalRodeo.com Director of Industry Relations and former Mavericks bassist Robert Reynolds serves as one of the judges for the competition.

"It's important to us at Digital Rodeo to be thought of as an ally and a tool for the unsigned artists as well as the major labels," said Reynolds. "We realize that a number of the artists on our site fit that category, and we encourage local, national and international artists to come out and audition. It's open to everyone."

Contestants must perform original compositions and are allowed to bring one other musician on stage for accompaniment.
For more information, please visit www.DigitalRodeo.com/wsm or www.wsmonline.com.