The call for entries has begun for U-TURN’s Garage Band Playoff ’09 (www.garagebandplayoff.com), a national battle-of-the-bands competition sponsored by USAA and open to aspiring musicians and songwriters ages 13-21.

This year – in the tradition of immortal songs like Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild”, and Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway” – U-TURN is looking for The Next Great American Road Song.

U-TURN’s judges are seeking original compositions that celebrate cars, driving and the freedom of the open road. Song entries can be something the artists have previously written and recorded, or a completely new creation.

If a song makes the cut, it’ll face off in a series of online, head-to-head match-ups against others… until only one song is left to be named The Next Great American Road Song.

THE GRAND PRIZE INCLUDES:
*$2,500 cash
* professional photo and video shoot
*an in-depth interview on U-TURN’s audio podcast
*tons of free buzz on MySpace, Facebook and more!

RULES OF THE ROAD:
*Open to solo artists, groups and bands of any musical genre
*Song must be original (no covers)
*Song topic must be about cars, driving or the freedom of the open road (instrumentals OK)
*Song must be clean/radio-friendly
*Solo artist or at least one band member must also be a USAA member
*Solo artist or all band members must be ages 13-21 (as of July 31, 2009)

Deadline to enter at www.garagebandplayoff.com is July 31, 2009. Songs and bands will be selected soon after, and online voting will start October 16, 2009.

For more information, e-mail uturn@usaa.com.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning.