(LOS ANGELES – Jan. 17, 2019) — Applications are now open for House of Blues Music Forward Foundation’s 2019 Bringing Down the House, which helps young emerging musicians navigate the music industry, learn music business strategies, and develop the knowledge and confidence for a career in the industry, both on and off the stage.

The free program is open to emerging artists, ages 14-20, across four cities (Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New Orleans). Young artists from all backgrounds and all genres are invited to apply, and a select number will be chosen to participate in the Bringing Down the House Class of 2019. The application period closes Feb. 11, 2019; and selected participants will be announced March 11, 2019.
House of Blues talent buyers will screen and select the new class based on criteria including talent, originality and sound quality. Selected participants will gather to participate in a series of Saturday working sessions throughout spring 2019. During the interactive workshops, participants will connect with industry leaders to learn more about music marketing, music business, stage presence and live production. Experts who have participated as industry mentors hail from companies like Live Nation, Maverick Management, MGM Resorts International, The Marketing Arm, William Morris Endeavor and more.

Our 2019 Bringing Down the House artists will then come together to apply what they’ve learned at free, all-ages showcases on legendary stages across the country including The Wiltern in Los Angeles and House of Blues stages across participating cities. Friends, family and fans are invited to attend and celebrate these rising young talents.
Bringing Down the House is entering its fifth year of workshops and showcases to inspire the next generation of music industry leaders and innovators. Alumni of the program include talented artists from a range of backgrounds and musical styles including indie, alt-pop, rock, hip hop, mariachi and more. Alumni across the program’s history have gone on to achieve impressive accomplishments in the industry including being signed to prominent record labels Atlantic Records (Ravyn Lenae, Class of 2015) and Tommy Boy Entertainment (Almost Awake, 2016) to performances on larger platforms including SNL musical appearances (Elliot Skinner, 2015), American Idol placements (Trevor Douglas, 2015; Zach Person, 2015; Sabrina Lentini, 2016) as well as festivals like Made In America (Red Letter Day, 2016) and Vans Warped Tour (Hoity-Toity, 2016).

House of Blues plays an integral part in connecting community to industry through support of this program. Each venue provides access for local young artists to learn firsthand about the industry by engaging venue professionals as industry experts during workshop sessions and creating the unforgettable experience of performing on its legendary stage. The company additionally supports Music Forward through integrated revenue streams and organizational infrastructure that allows the charity to invest a majority of every dollar raised directly into programs for under-represented youth.

Visit https://hobmusicforward.org/programs/bdth/ to learn more about the program, requirements and application guidelines.

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About Music Forward Foundation
Music Forward transforms lives, inspires careers and champions a more inclusive music industry. Focusing on young people ages 12-22 in under-represented communities, Music Forward sets the stage for success by providing workshops and showcases to inspire the next generation of music industry leaders and innovators. Learn more at hobmusicforward.org.