Congrats to the Top 12 Gimme the Gig II artists!!

Music lovers everywhere, we are approaching the pinnacle of the Gimme the Gig II contest: The opportunity to record with Don Was! We would like to thank all the bands that entered, you are all truly amazing and we thank you for your efforts. Special thanks to Grammy-Award winning producer and music legend Mr. Don Was, Ford Motor Company and Galpin Auto Sports for giving aspiring artists everywhere a chance at their “big break”.

It has been an emotional and exciting ride for us here at Gimme the Gig II. We asked bands from around the country to submit a song for votes into the contest back in June of 2011 and we’ve received an overwhelming response from the independent music scene. After reviewing all the bands based on 4 criteria: Live performance, musical ability, originality, and overall appeal (which included fan votes!), a panel of judges were able to select 80 bands. Then in January, to kick start the New Year, the judges selected 30 truly amazing bands to move on to the next round. In February, the judges narrowed it down to 12 extraordinary bands to become the top 12 artists of Gimme the Gig II.

Without further ado, here is the list of the top 12 artists!!

Aside Oceans comes to us from Pulaski, VA. Click here to watch their performance at the Arizona Mills in Phoenix, AZ. You can “Like” them at https://www.facebook.com/asideoceans and follow them at http://twitter.com/asideoceans

Bop Skizzum comes to us from Denver, CO. Click here to watch their performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Denver, CO. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/bopskizzum and follow them at http://www.twitter.com/bopskizzum

Carson Henley comes to us from Kent, WA. Click here to watch their performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Seattle, WA. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/carsonhenleymusic and follow them at http://twitter.com/carsonhenley

Churchill comes to us from Denver, CO. Click here to watch their performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Denver, CO. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/churchilltheband and follow them at   http://www.twitter.com/churchillband

Eyeshine comes to us from Los Angeles, CA. Click here to watch their performance at the Lobster Fest in San Pedro, CA. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/eyeshinemusic and follow them at   http://twitter.com/TheEyeshineBand

Halocene comes to us from Phoenix, AZ. Click here to watch their performance at the Arrowhead in Glendale, AZ. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/halocene and follow them at   http://www.twitter.com/halocene

HARGO comes to us from San Diego, CA. Click here to watch their performance at the Snow Jam in San Diego, CA. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/hargomusic and follow them at http://twitter.com/hargomusic

Josh Blackburn comes to us from Jackson, MS. Click here to watch his performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Denver, CO. You can “Like” him at http://www.facebook.com/fearlesstone and follow him at   http://www.twitter.com/fearlesstone

Lost in Atlantis comes to us from Phoenix, AZ. Click here to watch their performance at the Cerritos Mall in Cerritos, CA. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/LostinAtlantis and follow them at   http://www.twitter.com/LIAisRad

Pullman Standard comes to us from San Diego, CA. Click here to watch their performance at the Ontario Mills in Ontario, CA. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/Pullmanstandard and follow them at   http://www.twitter.com/Pullmanstandard

Rachel James comes to us from Denver, CO. Click here to watch their performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Denver, CO. You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/iamracheljames and follow them at   http://www.twitter.com/iamracheljames

Rachel Wong comes to us from Seattle, WA. Click here to watch her performance at the Gimme the Gig II tour – Seattle, WA. You can “Like” her at https://www.facebook.com/RachelKMWong and follow her at   http://twitter.com/raecho

Now that all of the top 12 artists have been introduced, who’s EXCITED to see who gets to record with Don Was? I know we are! The top 12 artists will each get a chance to perform LIVE at one of three events in front of Mr. Don Was himself and he will hand pick not one, but three bands to work with! Each selected bands will get the opportunity to produce a track with the legendary producer in a pimped out Ford Focus mobile recording studio.

The three events will be aired as a special on KTLA so make sure to tune in to this once in a lifetime opportunity for our contestants.

We wish the best of luck to all of our talented contestants and see you at the final three events!