The Next Great American Band

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 John Rzeznik, Sheila E. and Ian "Dicko" Dickson have narrowed down the hopefuls to 12 semifinalist bands who now take the stage to rock out in front of a studio audience for the first time. From hair bands to hip-hop and classic rockers to country crooners, see if the bands can strike the right chords both on and off of the stage as they vie for America's votes. Host Dominic Bowden will reveal America's top 10 favorite bands the following week, bringing them another step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band." The battle begins as the top 12 take the stage in the special two-hour "Top 12 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Oct. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-103/104) (TV-TBA).

Narrowed down from 12, the remaining Top-10 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers will vote for their favorites, and America's Top-8 favorite bands will be announced next week, bringing them another step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "12 Cut to 10 & Top 10 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-105/106) (TV-PG L).

Narrowed down from 10, the remaining Top-8 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers will vote for their favorites, and America's Top-7 favorite bands will be announced next week, bringing them another step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "10 Cut to 8 & Top 8 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Nov. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-107) (TV-PG L).

With one of the Top 8 voted off, the remaining Top 7 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers will vote for their favorites, and the Top 6 bands will survive another week in competition, moving one step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "The Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "8 Cut to 7 & Top 7 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Nov. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-108) (TV-PG L).

With one of the Top 7 voted off, the remaining Top 6 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers again will vote for their favorites, determining which bands will survive another week in the competition and move one step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "The Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "7 Cut to 6 & Top 6 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Nov. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-109) (TV-PG L) Judges: Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E. and Ian "Dicko" Dickson.

THE TOP 5 BANDS TAKE THE STAGE ON "THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, ON FOX With one of the Top 6 voted off, the remaining Top 5 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers again will vote for their favorites, determining the Final 4 bands who will survive another week in the competition and move one step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "The Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "6 Cut to 5 & Top 5 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Nov. 30 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-110) (TV-PG L).

With one of the Top 5 voted off, the remaining Top 4 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers again will vote for their favorites, determining which bands will survive another week in the competition, earn a spot in the Final 3 and move one step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "The Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "5 Cut to 4 & Top 4 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Dec. 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-111) (TV-PG L).

With one of the Top 4 voted off, the remaining Top 3 bands take the stage to prove they still have what it takes to earn the judges' approval and rock America's votes. After the show, viewers again will vote for their favorites, determining which bands will survive another week in the competition, earn a spot in the Final 3 and move one step closer to securing a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "The Next Great American Band." Don't miss the "4 Cut to 3 & Top 3 Perform" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Dec. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-112) (TV-PG L).

Tonight the Final 3 bands find out who America has chosen worthy of the title "The Next Great American Band" and a contract with 19 Recordings in the much anticipated season finale. Don't miss the "3 Cut to Winner" episode of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND airing Friday, Dec. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (IDB-113) (TV-PG L).