Cowboy and a T.H.U.G. "Take 5" with Ford's Gimme The Gig

Today we spoke with Cowboy and A T.H.U.G. Did you know that T.H.U.G. stands for True Hustler Unleashing Game? We didn’t think so! So we dug up some more facts about the diverse band.

Five things you should know about Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.

GTG: How did you come up with, or decide on your name?

Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.: “We have two very different personalities and wanted to put them together. We also wanted a name that people can Google.”

GTG: Where would your "dream show" be, or favorite place to perform?

Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.: “Madison square garden.”

GTG: If you could have a limited edition ’12 Ford Focus designed for your band what would it look like, and what’s one thing that it would HAVE to have?

Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.: “Have to have large subheads, and a really hot graphic that looks like tagging outside on the car that says Cowboy and A T.H.U.G. But on the inside it’s all country with cow leather seats, and a cowbell hanging from the rear view mirror.”

GTG: Any pre-show rituals?

Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.: “Showing up late? We both are very spontaneous so whatever happens, happens.”

GTG: What's the band's favorite food?

Cowboy and a T.H.U.G.: “Dollar value menu! After shows we run to Wendy’s or Jack in the Box.”

Thank you so much EZ Money for talking with us! Don't forget to vote for them on Gimme The Gig!

Margate "Take 5" with Ford's Gimme The Gig

Today we spoke to Alex Helbig from Margate to get the inside scoop on the band. The original members all grew up on Margate Street in Encino, CA, hence the band name, Margate!

Five things you don’t know about Margate:

GTG: If you had the choice to perform anywhere, where would it be?

M: Wembley Stadium with the Police or Sir Paul McCartney. Also the Hollywood Bowl would be amazing!!

GTG: If you could have a limited edition ’12 Ford Focus designed for your band – what’s one thing that it would HAVE to have? And what would it be called?

M: Assuming this is the pimped out mobile studio 2012 Ford Focus… We would HAVE to have room for our dog “Duke”! It would be called “The Gate” mobile, short for Margate and the gateway to our future in our own Ford mobile studio

GTG: Is there a hidden secret about you guys that you think your fans would love to hear? What is it? What’s something you’ve never shared? We’re looking for an exclusive…something your fans would never guess.

M: We kissed a girl and we liked it!

GTG: What's the band's favorite food?

M: Ok here goes the plug, hahaha we go ape over Chick-fil-A. Our guitar player is from North Carolina and was always talking about these tasty fried chicken sandwiches with just a bun, chicken and pickles. While on the road we as a band finally got to experience that sandwich and it has been our favorite ever since.

A big thank you to Alex Helbig the lead vocalist and drummer of Margate, for taking the time to talk to us here at Gimme the Gig!

Eyeshine "Take 5" with Ford's Gimme The Gig

We got to speak with Maurice Salmin and Johnny Yong Bosch from Eyeshine, Gimme The Gig I's semi-finalists. While hanging out in Miami they answered some questions for us.

Five things you do not know about Eyeshine’s Johnny and Maurice:

GTG: Where would your "dream show" be, or favorite place to perform?

ES (Maurice): Wembly Stadium in London.

GTG: If you could have a limited edition 2012 Ford Focus designed for your band – what’s one thing that it would HAVE to have? And what would it be called?

ES (Johnny): A joystick with a trigger that I can push to hear a missile launch and explode so when I am sitting in traffic I can pretend to blow up cars. Also huge wheel s so I can drive over traffic.

ES (Maurice): The mixer that Don Was is putting into the Focus and A huge screen to watch movies.

GTG: What is your favorite food?

ES (Johnny): Fried chicken

ES (Maurice): Pizza and gummy bears.

GTG: What food will you not eat?

ES (Johnny): Some Filipino food, like they have this 1,000 year old egg that they eat. I think that just sounds gross.

GTG: Any funny memories of your first shows?

ES (Johnny): It was one of our first shows and we played pretty badly so we went home and practiced every day to get it right. We went back to the same location ready to rock. We sounded like a football team before a game like “Yea! Let’s go!” We get there and one of my strings broke so we couldn’t play our show right. So disappointing.

Thank you to Johnny and Maurice from Eyeshine! It was awesome to speak with you and learn more about the band!

Ford's Gimme The Gig "Take 5" with Tricia Torres

Today we spoke with Gimme The Gig II contestant, Tricia Torres who recently performed on the GTGII stage in Cerritos, CA. Tricia is a laid back, easy going girl with no secrets, she claims "I'm an open book". What else do we want to know?

GTG: Tell me about the song you submitted to GTGII. Why did you choose it?

TT: "For A While", is written about my Grandmother who passed away two years ago. It’s a celebration of her life - it's very meaningful to me, and inspiring. I wear a locket necklace which inside has a photo of her. She's good luck.

GTG: Where would your "dream show" be, or favorite place to perform?

TT: My dream gig would be to perform in Carnegie Hall, play a show with Bon Jovi, or meet Bonnie Raitt, I would love to pick her brain about life and music, and being a woman in the industry.

GTG: If you could go on a world tour where would some stops be?

TT: I would love to travel on tour to Paris, Germany, Spain, Japan, and London, when there aren't riots going on! In general, I’d really want to spread my music to different places around the world and touch as many people as I can.

GTG: If you could have a limited edition ’12 Ford Focus designed for your band – what’s one thing that it would HAVE to have? And what would it be called?

TT: My fictional, limited edition "Tricia Torres" '12 Ford Focus would have a mini PA system in the back, with a portable barbeque to have an on-the-go, tailgating, mini-show. And a huge extra mirror to help with driving!

GTG: If Don Was were sitting next to you, what would you say to him to convince him to produce you?

TT: We would be a good fit and we would work well together. I'm a good song writer, I'm a good listener... I'm not a diva, and I'm not full of myself.

Ford's Gimme The Gig "Take 5" with Perry Acker

Today we were given the privilege to interview Mark Johnson, the keyboard player of Perry Acker and band manager, Sean Hensley, winner's of last year’s Gimme the Gig Contest. They named their band after Pete and Mark’s great grandfather, who was a well known water color painter. One day Pete passed by a painting hanging on the wall, he noticed his grandfather’s signature “Perry Acker” and thought it was catchy.The more they said it, the more it stuck! It certainly is a unique name!

Five things you don’t know about Perry Acker:

GTG: What keeps you involved and motivated to stay in this industry when you have to face tough competition/rejection/major obstacles?

PA: This industry is an outrageous, complicated place; we all strive to get through the tough stuff. The support from our family, friends and fans is what keeps us going. The fans keep showing up, so we owe it to them!

GTG: If you could meet any band, which would it be?

PA: I think I can say on behalf of all the guys, it would have to be Dave Matthews Band. They are a huge inspiration to us and it would be an honor to meet them.

GTG: What is the band’s favorite food?

PA: Uhh, is beer a food? Can we say liquid bread?

GTG: What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song? Come on admit it, N’Sync is your favorite!

PA: Hmm, well all I listen to is jazz and classical rock. I will say N’Sync is on my IPod but I couldn’t tell you the last time it was played!

Special thanks to Mark and Sean from Perry Acker for taking the time to talk to us. It was a pleasure to interview last year’s prestigious winners!

Ford's Gimme The Gig "Take 5" with Orange Solution

Today we got to speak with Sean from Orange Solution. Orange Solution is from Orange County and has only been practicing together for 6 months. What else don’t we know about this band?

GTG: How did you come up with your name, Orange Solution?

OS: My favorite color is orange plus my Irish heritage. We joke that Orange Solution is the solution to boring bands in Orange County.

GTG: Tell us about the song you entered into the contest and why you chose that song.

OS: We did a test among our friends and they all voted for Timothy to be entered into Gimme The Gig. Timothy Alexander is actually my uncle that passed away and this song is a tribute to him. He was very supportive of mine and my brother’s songwriting and encouraged us to follow it.

GTG: If you could have a limited edition 2012 Ford Focus designed for your band – what’s one thing that it would HAVE to have?

OS: It would have to be painted orange, of course. Also it would need to have a trailer hitch to pull around our equipment. The band would need a fridge or cooler and be stocked with drinks.

GTG: If you could meet any musician or band, who would it be?

OS: I think that the whole band would want to meet Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters.

GTG: What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song of all time?

OS: Justin Timberlake’s, “Cry Me A River” could possibly be a future cover.

Special thanks to Sean for taking the time to talk with us. It was awesome to dig up some dirt on the band.