January 25, 2010

By By Leila Cobo, Miami

Jack Daniel's Studio No. 7 Latin Music Series has launched a "Battle of the Bands" competition where the winner gets to open a Los Angeles concert by Mexican artist Julieta Venegas.

Although Jack Daniel's has hosted a U.S.-based Latin music series since 2004, this is the first time it has incorporated a competition element to the program.

The competition is open to any Latin solo act or band based in the United States. Aspiring acts must submit a digital video and audio sample at www.jdbuscandolabanda.com. A panel of judges will choose 10 semi-finalists whose music will be posted online, and fans will be asked to vote for the winners.

Voting will be open March 2-28. Studio 7 will pick the three contestants with the most votes, and from those, will choose an overall winner and announce the concert date. Venegas' new album, "Otra Cosa," will be released in March, and she will play a series of U.S. shows as part of the Jack Daniel's Studio No. 7 series.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!