Local band hoping for Epic Records contract

Local group is vying for win in 600-band competition

By Kevin Daniel
Staff Writer

The Barons, an emerging rock band with roots in Irving, just missed a televised gig New Year's Eve in New York's Times Square.

Now, they're in the hunt for a contract with Epic Records.

Jon Whitlock sings and plays keyboards for the group, which finished second in a nationwide competition among more than a thousand bands for the Times Square appearance hosted by television personality Jimmy Kimmel.

Nathanael Phillips plays the drums. Austyn Williams provides the bass, and Caleb Johnston is lead guitar.

Whitlock said he and his buddies didn't have time to mope over their near miss for the spot in New York.

Since Jan. 29, they've managed to survive weekly cuts in a nationwide, Music Nation-sponsored, 600-band competition for the Epic contract.

“Surprisingly, we've had a lot of support — enough to keep us in the top 10 for three weeks straight,” Whitlock said in middle February. “It's just nice to see things like that happen. It's a confidence booster.

“The odds of getting a record deal through this contest are pretty slim,” Whitlock added. He said the Epic label is “known for pushing bands like Good Charlotte, Modest Mouse and Incubus … none of which are anything like us.”

More than two months remain in the Music Nation contest. Each week, one survivor is picked in rock, pop and urban categories by fans who cast their ballots at www.musicnation.com/v672.

One other survivor is chosen in each category by a jury of music industry professionals.

The Barons won't wait idly for the end of the contest.

“We've got a show coming up in March,” Whitlock noted. “Press packets to build. Equipment to buy. A trailer to buy. Money to save for three months of road gigs.

“We're not going to put all that aside to just cross our fingers on this contest,” he said. “If it happens … great … we've got an album. If not … we'll still have an album. We'll just have to work harder to get it.”

Other bands can still enter the competition for the Epic contract.

For more information, visit www.musicnation.com. For more information on The Barons, visit: www.myspace.com/thebaronsmusic