Norway, IA (Top40 Charts/ Vocus/ Frontier
Natural Products) - When you think of rock and roll, Iowa isn't the first place that comes to mind. That may change soon if Aeroroot, a band made up of Frontier
Natural Products Co-op employees, makes it to the finals of the 9th Annual FORTUNE
Battle of the Corporate Bands.
Selected as one of 16 corporate bands to compete in regional semi-final events, Aeroroot will perform at The Key Club on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, Calif., on June 20. Formerly the historic Gazarri's nightclub, the venue earned its notoriety as the home of future rock and roll stars, including The Doors, Tina Turner and Van Halen.
"To be honest, if we thought we really had a chance, we would have been too nervous to even record our entry," admits Clint Landis, lead vocalist and Chief Marketing Officer for Frontier Natural Products Co-op, which is located in the rural rolling hills and farm fields of eastern Iowa.
Aeroroot submitted its CD entry to the contest in March. A panel of representatives from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum selected the final 16 bands, which include groups from such corporate giants as NBC, Symantec and Johnson & Johnson. At stake is an opportunity for the band to play in the final competition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 3, 2009.
Other Aeroroot members include lead guitarist Brett Karminski, Frontier Brand Manager, and Steve Krusie, Director of Public Relations, who plays drums and sings back-up vocals. Tracy Tunwall, formerly Vice President of Human Resources for Frontier - who is now assistant professor at Mount Mercy College - plays bass guitar and also sings back-up vocals.
Based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Natural Products Co-op is best known for its broad variety of natural and organic products, including Simply Organic culinary herbs, spices, and seasoning mixes; Frontier bulk herbs, spices and teas; and Aura Cacia pure aromatherapy products.
The name Aeroroot comes from the name of the herb arrowroot, one of the natural products Frontier produces. The spelling was changed as a nod to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Aerosmith. "We considered using lungwort, the name of another herb, but decided the images associated with that weren't very attractive," quips Krusie.
Formed five years ago during a lunch break in Frontier's on-site organic cafe, Aeroroot intended only to provide entertainment for the annual holiday party. The performance was an overwhelming hit and with encouragement from Frontier employees, the band decided to stay together and began playing for charity functions, including fundraisers for the American Cancer Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Before heading to L.A. for the 9th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands semifinals, Aeroroot is slated to play its competition music set at 1:00 p.m. on June 13 at the Floodstock Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an outdoor benefit concert to assist in the recovery of the devastating eastern Iowa floods of 2008.
For more information about Frontier Natural Products Co-op, visit www.frontiercoop.com and for more on Aeroroot, visit www.aerorootband.com.
