Welcome to the Home of the Raise the Praise Festival!

Bands must be unsigned (i.e. not under management/on a label).
Each night, admission will be $5. ONLY PAYING ADMISSIONS WILL RECEIVE A VOTING BALLOT AND BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE! All proceeds from The Battle Of The Bands go to support RTP-2011 ReConnect.
Each band competing will be required to sell (no less than) 10 tickets to the night of their event. Ticket money will be handed in upon arrival at band check in. If a band sells less than the required 10 tickets, they will be responsible for the difference of remaining ticket sales. (example: band sold 7 tickets ($35), they will add the remaining $15 and will turn in the amount of $50 to event coordinator.)
Original fill tracks written and produced by the band, and triggered by band members are permitted.
All original music to be performed except 1 cover allowed�no more than that or points are deducted.
Each band will be given a 15 minute set. The competing band must play as many of the 4 songs submitted as time will allow without exceeding the time limit. (example: if the band has played 3 songs and the elapsed time is at 13 minutes and the 4th song is approximately 4 minutes long, the competing band's set is over).
Sound Check will be either before event opens or between band sets. Final decision will be made by venue sound team. You will be informed of the venue's choice prior to the event date.
A drawing will be done the night of each contest one hour prior to start time to determine the order of performance (no changes permitted).
If a band member is not present when the band is due to take the stage, the band will be disqualified, and the next band will take their time slot.
Raise The Praise/Venue Staff will run house sound and lighting (NO EXCEPTIONS).
This is a Christian event and all music must be Christian oriented.
Songs must be submitted in advances (lyrics included). No objectionable lyrical content such as profanity, or themes about or inferring sexual situations, drug use, violence, etc. will be permitted. Bands MUST perform previously submitted songs and lyrics. If there is any deviation from the previously submitted songs, the band risks disqualification from the competition.
CDs sold on the premises must adhere to the same guidelines.
If any profane language or gestures are used on stage, the band will immediately be asked to leave the stage and the premises, and will be disqualified from the competition. Their will be NO refund on entry fee. NO QUESTIONS ASKED! (Final judgment on what is and is not profane language or gestures will be left solely up to the panel of judges or RTP staff.)
If CDs sold on the premises are found to not adhere to stated guidelines, the same consequences apply.
Bands will be given a "load in" time; any band failing to report to the venue at their scheduled load-in time may be disqualified.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

There is no age limit for bands/artists who would like to enter. All ages are welcome to compete.
Every year, Raise The Praise includes different styles of musical talents (rock, pop, hip-hop/rap, country, acoustic, metal, etc....) The Battle Of The Bands is open to ALL bands who want to compete.
The entire performance must be live. No lip-synching is permitted. No fully-programmed music is permitted. Loops and original backing tracks can be used to support the live performance, but they must be originally composed.
Web site, photos, bios, etc. are welcomed for web promotion. Materials will not be returned.
On the day of the performance, band members must be dressed in clothing free from obscenities, drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other potentially offensive subject matter.
Band name and lyrics of performance songs must not contain any obscenities or innuendo. The entire performance must be without violence. Drugs and alcohol are not permitted.
All bands agree to have their name, voice, and/or likenesses used in any advertising, broadcasting, or promotional materials relating to this contest without any compensation or rights to royalties for such use.
Band members are responsible for the security of their equipment and the event organizers cannot be held liable for any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment. Bands will be held liable for any damage to the in-house equipment of the venue and the financial costs thereof.
Raise The Praise reserves the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the contest as well as the final word in any disputes that should arise concerning the contest.
All band members submitting the registration form acknowledge they have read and understand the rules as outlined in this document. Failure to comply with any contest rules may result in a band�s disqualification.
All winners agree to the use of his/her/their name(s) and likeness(es) in publicity without any additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. By entering this promotion, the winner(s) acknowledge that Raise The Praise and all other sponsors and venues have the right to publicize and broadcast his/her/their name, voice and likeness, the fact that he/she/they won, and all matters incidental thereto.
In the event of a dispute, all decisions made by Raise The Praise are final and binding.
Bands that must withdraw from the competition must inform Raise The Praise in writing at least two weeks prior to their scheduled performance. Bands who fail to show for their scheduled performance or withdraw after this deadline will be barred from participating in any future events.

By entering the contest - you are confirming that you have completely read and accept all the conditions and obligations of RTP's Battle of the Bands rules, judging, schedule, entry fee, etc.