CMJ/Rock Hall Music Fest Set For Cleveland June 9-11

CLEVELAND, OH (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —

CMJ/Rock Hall Music Fest, a major, multi-day music event featuring as many as 100 bands, will rock Cleveland June 9-11. "This is the type of major festival that Cleveland has talked about for years," said Terry Stewart, chairman and chief executive officer of the Rock Hall of Fame and Museum. "It will showcase both established performers and emerging artists that could become tomorrow's stars, and it represents unprecedented collaboration between all the major music venues in town."

The music festival will kick off on June 8 with an opening-night concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. From June 9-11, a full lineup of concerts will be featured each evening at House of Blues, the Odeon, Peabody's, Beachland Ballroom, the Agora and the Grog Shop. Back-to-back daytime concerts will also be scheduled at the festival village at Nautica on the West Bank of the Flats. In addition, a series of educational programs, panel discussions and workshops will focus on the artistic and economic aspects of today's music scene.

Stewart emphasized that Music Fest events will be affordable and widely accessible. "We are especially pleased to be partnering with CMJ, which has a solid track record for featuring the best in new music and for breaking unknown acts," he said.

"As we shine the spotlight on rock's future, we're very excited to be bringing so much outstanding entertainment to the rock and roll capital of the world," said Bobby Haber, founder and chief executive officer of CMJ. "With such a rich heritage dating back to the earliest days of rock and roll, Cleveland is a natural place to hold this event."

Stewart said Music Fest, among the events that will celebrate the Rock Hall's 10th anniversary, supports the institution's mission to educate people about rock and roll and to serve as an economic engine and tourist attraction for Cleveland. While the CMJ/Rock Hall Music Fest will be part of the Rock Hall's 10th anniversary celebration, the Museum plans to make the festival an annual event.

"Upwards of 20,000 people will be staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and performing or being entertained in our clubs," he said. "What's more, they will have a unique opportunity to better understand and appreciate a unique art form that has had an impact on several generations."

Miller Genuine Draft has signed on as a corporate sponsor of the event. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen