Clif Bar Wins Best Corporate Band in America at the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands

CLEVELAND, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock and roll bands comprised of employees from eight national companies owned the night at the 12th annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands on October 6 where "The Grove Valve Orchestra" took home the title of "Best Corporate Band in North America." From center stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, the bands played their hearts out for charity, with event proceeds benefitting the Rock Hall's educational activities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121009/LA89088)

"Music has always been part of Clif Bar's culture, as much as sports are," said Gary Erickson, founder and co-president, co-CEO of Clif Bar and Grove Valve Orchestra trumpet player. "About 15 years ago, we built an auditorium at Clif Bar & Co., it was a 'Field of Dreams' build it and they will come thing. Musicians came out of the woodwork and started playing together, writing songs and the more people that we hired, the more turned out to be musicians. We find the time for music, because it is fun! Our employees are very happy and the whole company is involved and supportive of the bands."

"It's hard to do what these bands did - and they all spent a lot of time practicing - to come up on stage and perform for a big crowd. Everyone had a great time. The level of playing was very good. We had a blast getting to hear these bands," said Ricky Byrd, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts guitarist and one of the event's judges.

More than 30 bands across North America entered this year's competition. Eight finalists were selected to compete in the live battle of the bands competition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Runners-up and winners in the Best-of Categories included:

• First place - "The Grove Valve Orchestra" of Clif Bar – Emeryville, Calif.
• Second place - "Roi" of Mainline Information Systems – Tallahassee, Fla.
• Third place - "The Cordovans" of The MIL Corporation – Goose Creek, S.C.
• Best Bass Player – Lori Stassin with "Cassius King" of Mesirow Financial – Chicago, Ill.
• Best Guitarist – Peter Landon with "The Dealmakers" of BTI Systems – Ottawa, Ont.
• Best Keyboardist – John Moylan with "Roi" of Mainline Information Systems – Tallahassee, Fla.
• The Steve Eck Memorial Best Vocalist Award – Demetria Tolefree with "The Grove Valve Orchestra" of Clif Bar – Emeryville, Calif.
• Best Drummer – Chris Minnis with "Roi" of Mainline Information Systems – Tallahassee, Fla.
• Best Horns – Stefan Cohen with "The Grove Valve Orchestra" of Clif Bar – Emeryville, Calif.

The Battle of the Corporate Bands is held each year to salute the best amateur, company-sponsored bands. The national competition promotes the benefits of making music in the workplace, which is shown to increase employee morale and improve productivity in the workplace. The program is presented through a partnership with FORTUNE Magazine, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), and the Rock Hall, and is sponsored by Gibson, Chancellor University, and Panasonic Automotive.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK(7625) or visit www.rockhall.com. 

About FORTUNE
FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism with a worldwide circulation of more than one million and a readership of nearly five million, with major franchises including the FORTUNE 500 and the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For. FORTUNE Live Media extends the brand's mission into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences, including the FORTUNE Global Forum. FORTUNE magazine's online home is CNNMoney.com, the most visited and utilized business destination website.

SOURCE The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)