The Burning Bush rules Saipan Summer Jam

Beach Road Magazine’s Saipan Summer Jam was a smash hit, held at a jam-packed venue where 10 bands took turns playing songs—from contemporary hits to 70s rock ‘n roll, and roots reggae—to the delight of the crowd which, at various points, sang along or danced.

“What the Saipan Summer Jam showed is that there’s so much talent waiting to be discovered on island. We’re happy that Glimpses and Beach Road Magazine had a hand in showcasing those talents,” Susan Marchitti, Beach Road Magazine account manager said.

The Burning Bush, a five-member reggae group, won first place and brought home $250 worth of prizes—$150 cash and $100 worth of Shell gas coupons.

High Pitch, an all-Filipino band whose members include a carpenter, a heavy equipment operator and air-con technicians bagged the second place, winning $75 worth of Shell gas coupons, a PC Outlet games software and a T-shirt by Boarderline.

Third place went to Frozen Nipple, which took with them $50 worth of Shell gas coupons. The group, whose members hit the stage in black shirts and pants and white neck ties, also won a PC Outlet games software and a T-shirt from Boarderline.

The three bands were scheduled to perform at Palms Resort Saipan’s “Back-to-School” Summer Bash on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The rest of the seven other bands also received prizes.

The five-hour event, held on Aug. 24 at Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V, was also highlighted by an added attraction: the Big Beats who played for free in support of the participating musicians, and whose performance sent the event’s emcee Brad Ruszala, PTI marketing associate and data manager, to the stage doing his rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Go Johnny Go” with the band.

The other bands that joined Saipan Summer Jam were D is for Dangerous, which landed fourth place; Fritada, fifth; Rated R, also an all-Filipino band which won sixth place and the texters’ choice award; Channel B, seventh; Past & Present, eighth; Project X, ninth; and J2, tenth.

The panel of judges was composed of Harry Blalock, KZMI general manager; Rick Jones, 360 Restaurant general manager; and Power ’99 disc jock LJ Castro, who stood in for Tina Palacios, SMG station manager.

Saipan Summer Jam was sponsored by Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia) Inc., PTI, Northern Marianas College, and Budget Car Rental. Prize partners included Shell Marianas, Foremost, Subway, Boarderline, PC Outlet, Taro Sue and Mariana Trench Monument. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]