Cumulus Launches Grassroots NextRock 2018

neXt2rock 2018 led by Cumulus Media kicks off its second annual grassroots and national search for the nation’s newest star in over 46 markets across the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Atlanta.  Local artists can now enter the competition via the neXt2rock website or one of the 55 local stations websites.

The winner of this four-month-long national competition, announced by iconic Korn front man Jonathan Davis, will receive a record deal on John Varvatos Records under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, as well as substantial exposure, commensurate with a major label release, on Cumulus Radio stations nationwide.  While television boasts several talent competitions, coveted radio play is the most effective medium to cultivate an artist and propel a major music career.

Mike McVay

The neXt2rock 2017 winner, Ivory Blue, released her debut single “Ready Get Set” June 18th and is currently moving up the charts.   Additionally, last year’s finalist Another Day Dawns is currently working with Hall of Fame Songwriter Desmond Child (Kiss, Cher, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson & Serena Gomez) and GRAMMY nominated engineer/producer David Ivory (Halestorm, Silvertide and The Roots).

“The level of talent gets better and more competitive every year, and further supports Cumulus Media’s investment in the future of radio and music,” said Mike McVay, Executive Vice President, Content & Programming, Cumulus Media.  He added, “With Millennials and Gen Xers’ renewed interest in rock music, Cumulus has even more opportunity for growth, providing expanded exclusive content and programming for music fans.”

Judging Panel

Listeners will be invited to rate the emerging artists, with local music professionals helping select the local finalist. The top 5 finalists, and ultimately the 2018 winner, will be selected by a panel of rock luminaries, including Jonathan Davis, iconic Korn frontman; Scott Borchetta, founder, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, the world’s #1 independent record label; Desmond Child, Hall of Fame Songwriter; and, Chris Jericho, legendary wrestler and Fozzy frontman, to name a few.

About neXt2rock 2018, Borchetta said, "Since last year we’ve been seeing a new generation of young rockers around the fringes of the main stream who are ready for this national platform. It's irreverent and loud like it's supposed to be and it’s got a whole lot of attitude...like it's supposed to... and now we're enabling these new young rock stars to find their future and connect with a national audience.  Rock is now!”

How the Competition Works

Local artists may enter the competition via the neXt2rock website or participating local station websites. Listeners in their communities will rate each competitor’s original song, along with local music industry professionals. Local markets will then host live events or select their finalist by judging the contestants in a video performance of that original song. 

Five of the local finalists will be selected by industry professionals to compete at the national finale event – a live concert, hosted in Los Angeles on October 4th, where a panel of celebrity judges will announce the neXt2rock 2018 winner.