A shopping center in Highland Park (The Beverly Hills of Dallas) was looking for bands to perform for a weekly “concert” series. Bands were asked to submit a video, then a committee would select 10 bands, put them on their website and then out of the 10 bands, the general public would vote for five band s that they would like to see perform at the concert series. We weren’t selected by the committee. I was contacted and was told that they really liked us, but over 100 bands had submitted videos for consideration… I was told to try again in the fall. I thought we might have a good chance because there aren’t many bands that do what we do (Latin jazz, Latin Dance, and American music 30’s to present) Also we’ve played at several private parties in the area of this particular shopping center. I checked the competitions videos and this I noticed.
1. All the bands were guitar centric. No keyboards at all…
2. All the other’s bands material was either “classic rock” or “acoustic rock/country.” Nothing else…
3. I hate to play the race card but I couldn’t help but notice that all the bands appeared to be all white.
4. Video/audio quality ranged from professionally produced to cell phone quality.
5. With the exception of a senior citizen classic rock band, all the acts were quite young. There was a pre- teen band, some teenage bands, and lots of 20 something’s. No middle agers like us.
6. The overall musical quality of the bands ranged from amateur to pro level.

So we have no hard feelings… We just weren’t what they we’re looking for. It is a good reminder that there are all sorts of talent out there competing for not many performing opportunities.