Windy City Gay Idol: The Search Begins March 30

A Bud Light and Windy City Media Group Event

Chicago - Windy City Media Group along with Bud Light is proud to present Windy City Gay Idol, a search for the ultimate amateur singing sensation in the GLBT community.

The competition, which will visit seven area GLBT bars/nightclubs, will feature Windy City Radio hosts Amy Matheny and Jim Bennett leading the night's competitors through backstage interviews and on-stage introductions. But don't worry, the infamous judges will be up front to critique the competitors. The panel of judges will include Chicago performers such as Ripley Caine, Scott Free and Jen Porter and will include industry experts such as nationally syndicated music reviewer Gregg Shapiro.

Windy City Gay Idol will kick-off on Sunday March 30 and feature 6 preliminary events culminating on Saturday, June 14 for the final competition at Circuit Nightclub. The finals are bound to be an all out, wild night of high entertainment with 12 finalists vying for the title as well as the grand prize. The crowned winner will walk away with two American Airline tickets to anywhere in the U.S., a fabulous cash prize, a Bud Light Bike, a recording session with Materville Studios and the coveted title of Gay Idol spokesperson for the duration of 2003.

Performers must be 21 years of age and be required to sign agreements and release forms pertaining to the event rules prior to competing in the competition. Rules can be found at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .

Competitors will be "first come, first to perform" at each venue. Sign-ups will start at 6 p.m. at each venue the night of the event and the first 20 people signed up will get to compete that night. Winners of every event (including the finals) will be decided by an audience vote (each person entering the event will get one ballot).

The Windy City Gay Idol Events : Sunday, March 30 – Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark – KICK-OFF – 7 pm start time Wednesday, April 2 – Buddies', 3301 N. Clark – 7 pm start time Sunday, April 13 – Bobby Love's, 3729 N. Halsted – 7 pm start time Monday, April 28 – SPIN, Corner of Halsted & Belmont – 7 pm start time Wednesday, May 7 – Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway – 7 pm start time Wednesday, May 21 – Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark – 7 pm start time Saturday, June 14 – Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted – FINALS – 8 pm start time

For more information about the competition, to request interviews with Gay Idol hosts, press passes for events or any other information please contact Kathleen Ulm, Marketing Director, Windy City Media Group, 773-871-7610, WindyCityMedia@aol.com .

Sponsors for Gay Idol include Bud Light, Windy City Media Group, American Airlines, Materville Studios, Creaoke and W Hotels.