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"THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND" ROCKS FRIDAY NIGHTS WITH THREE SPECIAL TWO-HOUR EPISODES STARTING WITH THE SERIES PREMIERE FRIDAY, OCT. 19 ON FOX

Fridays nights rock as THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND takes over with three special two-hour episodes on Friday, Oct. 19, Friday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Beginning Nov. 9, the show will air in its regular time period on Fridays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

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�) will serve as judges while Dominic Bowden ("New Zealand Idol") hosts the series.

From the auditions, featured on the Oct. 19 premiere, judges Rzeznik, Sheila E. and "Dicko" will narrow down the hopefuls to 12 semifinalist bands who will perform weekly in front of a live studio audience. From hair bands to hip-hop and classic rockers to country crooners, every genre of music will be represented and each week the bands will perform the varied styles. Then it will be up to the viewers to determine with their votes who will secure a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band."

THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND is produced by 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Fuller (19 Entertainment), Nigel Lythgoe (19 Entertainment), Ken Warwick (FremantleMedia North America) and Cecile Frot-Coutaz (FremantleMedia North America) are executive producers. Charles Boyd is co-executive producer.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: NASHVILLE will be pre-empted on these Fridays.]