Inland Idol 2009

There are less than three weeks before the first round of qualifying auditions for Inland Idol 2009, and things are certainly heating up! Inland Idol is an annual solo vocal competition open to Southern California youth ages 7-18 and produced in The Inland Empire.

David Sidoni has just been confirmed as host for the finale. Sidoni is an actor and personality best known for his roles in TV shows such as “Roundhouse” and “Mad Libs.” He also hosted “Wheel of Fortune 2000”, the children's version of the popular game show. Sidoni has had roles in Disney’s “Newsies”, “Beverly Hills 90210” and hosted “Bing!” and “Unfabulous.”

Mark L. Walberg, host of Fox Television’s "The Moment of Truth" and PBS’s "Antique Road Show" and Kye Brackett, Emmy Award-winning choreographer for Barry Manilow's “Music and Passion”have already signed on as celebrity judges for the Inland Idol 2009 final concert event.

Patrona Productions, a Corona-based recording studio and talent development company, is partnering with WBZB Entertainment to ramp up this year’s event. Patty Cabrera, a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist and owner of Patrona, will supply an exciting prize package for the three winners which will include: vocal coaching and development, professional photography session and a 2-song, professionally-produced CD featuring one original song created especially for the young artist. Cabrera will also serve as a consultant and judge for the finals.

The producers plan to audition roughly 2,000 youth performers from all over Southern CA during the months of March and April. The Semi-finals will take place May 2nd in Corona with the final concert event scheduled for May 31st in La Mirada. Qualifying auditions will be held at:

· The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona - March 7th

· The Promenade in Temecula - March 14th

· The Shoppes at Chino Hills - March 28th

225 contestants will pass through from the initial auditions to the Semi-Final round of the Inland Idol 2009 competition, to be held at the Historic Civic Center Theater in Corona on May 2, 2009. Each age group will compete separately in a four hour Semi-Final event.

30 Finalists selected from the semi-final event will compete in an exciting concert finale to be judged by celebrities and entertainment industry veterans on Sunday, May 31st at the 1,200 seat La Mirada Performing Arts Center. One winner from each age division will be selected and awarded a trophy and an exciting prize package. The final concert event will also feature performances by all three Inland Idol 2008 winners (Selena Brills, Landon Longard and Emily Yates) and THE MIX, WBZB’s dynamic youth performance group.

Audition spots are limited to 200 kids per age group at each qualifying audition. Contestants must register online at www.InlandIdol.com. There is a $35 registration and processing fee per contestant.

This year’s Inland Idol promises to be bigger and better than ever! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event!

Proceeds from the event will benefit WBZB’s Arts Reach initiatives. For more information, visit the Web Site at www.WBZB.net