FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19

**2-HOUR SERIES PREMIERE**�"THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND"�Auditions�(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) CC

"THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND" PREMIERES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, ON FOX

First of Three Special 2-Hour Episodes

The producers behind mega-hit phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL take the musical reality genre to a whole new performance level with a mission to find undiscovered groups on THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND. Singer/songwriter John Rzeznik (The Goo Goo Dolls), legendary percussionist and performer Sheila E. ("The Glamorous Life," "A Love Bizarre") and Australian TV personality Ian "Dicko" Dickson ("Australian Idol") serve as judges while Dominic Bowden ("New Zealand Idol") hosts. From tonight's auditions, Rzeznik, Sheila E. and Dickson will narrow down the hopefuls to 12 semifinalist bands who will perform either original music or covers of varied styles in front of a live studio audience. The judges will have their say after the performances each week, but viewers will vote for their favorite bands to determine who stays in the competition. Voting begins immediately after each show, and the results will be announced by Bowden at the start of the following episode. The season finale will bring the ultimate battle of the bands, with the last three groups competing to secure a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of Next Great American Band. It all begins when the first chord is struck in the "Auditions" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND premiering Friday, Oct. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-101/102) (TV-PG L)

Judges: Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E. and Ian "Dicko" Dickson

Host: Dominic Bowden

[EDITOR'S NOTE: NASHVILLE is preempted this night.]