September 20th, 2003

The Search Begins September 26th A Bud Light and Windy City Media Group Event

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

The competition, which will visit six suburban 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 bar personalities, music critics and performers familiar with the music industry. Windy City Gay Idol will kick-off on Friday, September 26 at Temptations Nightclub in Franklin Park and feature 6 preliminary events at a variety of clubs culminating on Saturday, November 22 at Temptations for the final competition. 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 Airlines tickets to any where in the U.S., a fabulous cash prize, a Bud Light Mountain Bike, a recording session with Materville Studios and the coveted title of Suburban Gay Idol spokesperson for the duration of 2003 into 2004. 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 7 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 : Friday, September 26 – Temptations Nightclub, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park Saturday, October 4 – Hideaway, 7301 W. Roosevelt, Forest Park Thursday, October 9 – Maneuvers, 118 E. Jefferson, Joliet Saturday, October 18 – The Patch, 201-155th Pl., Calumet City Tuesday, November 4 – Hunters, 1932 E. Higgins, Elk Grove Thursday, November 6 – Inn Exile, 5758 – 65th St., Chicago FINALS: Saturday, November 22 – Temptations, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park

Earlier this year, more than 100 people competed in the first Windy City Gay Idol competition and hundreds of people attended the finals to crown Luis Vega the winner, with runner-up Amazon coming in a very close second.

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.