Some of nation’s hottest new music artists will mix it up with some of the country’s best alternative sports athletes as the Journeys Backyard Barbeque launches its national tour with a stop in the Las Vegas area on Saturday, April 18, 2009 outside Galleria at Sunset (1300 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014) in the South parking lot from noon-7:00 pm.

Serving up a heaping helping of today’s top action sports with a side dish of cutting-edge music,
this free nationwide sports and music festival will be grillin’ with the area’s hottest up-and-coming
bands competing on the tour’s 32 foot-long mobile music stage. Alongside, the action will also be
sizzlin’ as top pro skateboard, BMX and motocross athletes streak through the sky in action-packed live
demo shows in the tour’s 60,000 square foot “alternative sports playground” of jumps and ramps.

Freestyle Motocross pros will fly and flip nearly three stories high, over a distance of almost 100 feet, as they run their custom-modified motocross motorcycles through an amazing arsenal of tricks
-- including can cans, back flips, and the “kiss of death.” International superstars appearing from team “Metal Mulisha” include veteran riders Derek Garland, Ryan Hagy and Wes Agee (12:45. 2:45, 5:30).

Not to be outdone, some of the world’s best skateboard and BMX pros will perform the sickest tricks in the sport -- staged on a 48 foot wide Super Mini Ramp, and 50 foot-wide Rockstar Energy Halfpipe (1:15 & 4:00). The Vans Skate Team will bring their nationally-ranked pro athletes to town for a rare, close-up experience with fans, including athlete autograph sessions after each performance. Athletes slated to appear include a powerhouse of international pros, including:
X Games, Gravity Games, and Dew Tour Gold Medalist Bucky Lasek; and legends Steve Caballero; Omar Hassan; Christian Hosoi; Rob Lorifice; Neil Hendrix; Alex Perelson; and Josh Borden.

The Vans BMX team will ”take to the air” throughout the day, sailing their customized bikes off
the tour’s ramp with hair-raising jumps and stunts. World-class riders slated to appear include:
international superstar Dennis McCoy, and BMX Vert pro Francisco "Coco" Zurita.

Alongside the blazin’ sports action, the music scene will also be roastin’ as an American Idol-style contest takes place on the tour’s mobile stage, the “Converse All-Star Battle of the Bands.” Local indie rock, alt, emo, and punk bands compete throughout the day with the winner
judged by the audience via text message voting. Many of the breakthrough bands featured on
this tour go on to hot careers and new recording contracts. Local bands competing at the event include: “Away We Go” (12:00); “This Romantic Tragedy” (2:00), and “Fearless Fearless” (3:15).

Journeys Backyard Barbeque Tour to Hit Las Vegas – Page 2 of 2

The winning band will receive more than $500 in cash and prizes (including a year’s supply of Chuck Taylor high-tops for each band member) Fans can come away winners as well! After voting, winning fans will be text-messaged or emailed to let them know they’ve won a prize, including Journeys gift cards and Converse products.

A sweet musical treat will be served up after the battle of the bands ends, when opening act “The Record Life” takes to the main stage at 4:40 pm. Finishing things off, headliner band “Saosin” presented by MacBethhits the stage in a rare, free showcase concert at 6:00 pm.

Before the event, fans can tune in to local radio partner KXTE for their chance to win Journeys Backyard BBQ Prize Packs -- featuring tour merchandise and tickets to the Journeys VIP area.

Between catching scorching athlete demos and searing new artists, fans can chill with cool entertainment and free giveaways in the tour´s interactive fun zone -- featuring more than 15 booths with free fun and games.  At the Converse “Punk Your Chucks” tent, fans can use Sharpie pens to create their own original artistic design on a pair of classic Converse Chuck Taylor high-tops. The winning shoe from each tour stop will be entered into a contest, with the overall winning design having the chance to ultimately become a production shoe for Converse, to be sold at retailers worldwide. All non-winning shoes (usually several hundred) will be donated to a select local charity, to be distributed to needy individuals.
 
In the “Ladies Lounge” area, presented by Seventeen Magazine, young female fans can get free giveaways and makeovers from Seventeen Magazine. Got2b will be rocking things out by enticing fans to “Dare Your Hair” and get a new punked-out hairstyle.

Kids ages 14 and under can get into a new "skate of mind" at Disney XD’s "Zeke & Luther’s Shred Academy," where pro skaters will teach basic skateboard moves on a kid-sized street course. Kids can bring their own skateboards, helmets and pads, or use those provided."  "Zeke & Luther" is an upcoming comedy series about two best friends who set their sights on becoming world famous skateboarders. It premieres in June on Disney XD.

At the bnqt.com booth, fans can have their video talents take center stage, by uploading their cell phone video clips of best BBQ action to be posted on the tour’s website. Everyone can also rock out with the chance to be a Guitar Hero, or put themselves in a classic surf scene at the Coast Body Wash “Living The Coast” display. Hungry BBQ fans will also be able to sample Jack Link’s all-new Matador meat snacks, and wash it down with a refreshing Rockstar Energy Drink sample. Journeys will also be hosting the merchandise tent offering limited edition tour memorabilia. Plus, everyone can leave with a semi-permanent memento of their visit at the Journeys “temporary tattoo station.”

This free, all-ages tour will leave a smokin’ hot trail across the country this spring – from Vegas to Orlando, Atlanta to Baltimore, and wrapping up in Chicago.

For updated information, call 702-898-3396 or visit http://www.journeysbbq.com/

This year’s tour is made possible by Presenting Sponsor, Journeys. Additional tour sponsors include: Rockstar Energy Drink, got2b, Disney XD, Coast Body Wash, Guitar Hero, Macbeth, Converse; DC Shoes; Osiris Shoes; Vans; Adio; DVS Shoes; etnies; Ipath; Circa; Globe; bnqt.com.

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3/13/09
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For additional press information and hi-res photos visit www.JOURNEYSBBQ.com/press