Sharon is calling for nominations from her constituency of Washington and Sunderland West to be considered for the "Best Live Band" and "Best Live Music Venue" awards of the first ever parliamentary ‘Rock the House' competition.

‘Rock The House' is a music competition with a political twist; supporting unsigned bands and artists, it will raise political awareness of the importance of music and other creative businesses to the UK.

MPs are being asked to nominate one band and one live music venue from within their constituency. Each of the shortlisted finalists will be invited to a star-studded reception on the terrace of the House of Commons on June 30 2011, where the winners will be announced.

Among other amazing prizes, winners will receive a photo shoot with an internationally published music photographer, the chance to make a professionally produced music video, and the opportunity to perform live at a top music venue or festival. Runners up will also be treated to an array of rewards.

Sharon, who has been working with the organisers of the competition in her own campaign to curb ticket touting for gigs and events, is keen to showcase new talent from within her constituency, and so is calling on fans and bands themselves to put in their nominations, which must be submitted by March 31.

Sharon said: "I'm so pleased to see politics break out of its comfort zone. Parliament is often a bit more Frank Sinatra than Futureheads; hopefully this competition will shake the place up a bit!

"The North East has always been on the cutting edge of popular music, so I'm hoping for a good showing for both bands and venues on the shortlist. But for this to happen I'll need every local music fan to send me their nominations, so I can submit the best possible representatives for our area to the judging panel."

The successfully nominated band and venue by Sharon will be judged by an independent panel, which includes politicians, musicians and music professionals. The Panel will determine the five finalists in each category, and the shortlist will be announced by the end of May.

Any band or live music venue can enter the competition by downloading and completing an application form from www.rockthehouse.me.uk and send fully completed submissions to Mrs Hodgson at Unit 1, Vermont House, Concord, Washington, NE37 2SQ or sharon.hodgson.mp@parliament.uk.

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Sharon Hodgson MP
House of Commons,
London SW1A 0AA

E-mail: hodgsons@parliament.uk

Westminster Office Tel. 020 7219 5160

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