Oregon's Sunderland Band Wins Charter's Center Stage Online Battle of the Bands to Open Live and Nationally Streamed Concert

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Known throughout the West Coast for their sold out extended play (EP) recording, "Change of Pace," the alternative pop/rock band Sunderland is about to be known well beyond the Pacific Northwest. As winner of Charter's national battle of the bands contest, Charter Center Stage, Sunderland will take center stage to open for Panic! At the Disco, Fitz & The Tantrums, and Plain White T's at an outdoor concert on October 15 in Madison, WI to be streamed live on Facebook®.

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Sunderland, from Hood River, OR, received the most votes on the Charter Center Stage website, where voters viewed music videos from the 11 contest finalists and voted for the band they wanted to see open the Center Stage concert. Sunderland was the top vote recipient in the second round of online voting for 11 bands.  More than 300 bands entered during the first round. Sunderland receives a prize package valued at nearly $25,000, which includes an all-expense paid trip to the October 15 concert with VIP treatment and a musical equipment allowance.

"We are incredibly grateful to receive the most votes in the Charter Center Stage battle," said Sunderland's Dylan Bauld. "We entered the competition just before half of our equipment was stolen on tour in Denver. Thanks to Charter, we've been provided this opportunity to replace our equipment, along with the thrill of opening a live concert for three great bands."

Members of Sunderland include lead singer and guitarist McKinley Kitts, with Dylan Bauld on bass and back-up vocals, Vaughan Heppe on drums and guitarist Zachary Grace. Sunderland's winning selection and music video, as well as the videos from all the finalists, can be viewed at charter.com/concert.

"We're passionate performers who love to have fun on stage," Bauld stated. "And we're looking forward to rocking the crowd in Madison and those watching live on Facebook."

Allan Samson, Charter's Senior Vice President of Marketing, added that the Charter Center Stage website received more than one billion impressions. "The Internet took center stage in helping Sunderland and the other bands gain fan recognition and support.   As a leading Internet service provider, this kind of online enthusiasm for music is no surprise. The number of fans that watched over 300 bands vie online for this concert opportunity proves that the power of the Internet and social media, coupled with numerous talented bands, unites music lovers across the country. We hope our Oct. 15 concert, streamed live via Facebook, will be the start of a great next chapter for Sunderland."

Charter Center Stage concert will be held October 15 at Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI. The concert will also be streamed LIVE online via Facebook. Visit charter.com/concert for more information.

About Charter

Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter TV® video entertainment programming, Charter Internet® access, and Charter Phone®. Charter Business® similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, video and music entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found at charter.com.

SOURCE Charter Communications, Inc.