Rock the Desert is excited to announce it's ninth annual Christian Rock Festival- "Ignite 2008!", August 8th and 9th, 2008! The official festival line up will be announced later this month, but confirmed artists include Switchfoot, The Newsboys, Disciple, Red, Paul Wright, Group 1 Crew, Brock Gill and more! Ignite 2008 will have one of the strongest line-ups in RTD's nine year history! Make your plans to attend this amazing weekend- and check back soon for the official line-up and more important information!

Help RTD support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. RTD is collecting unopened chapstick and lip balm to send to our local troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan! You can drop off your contributions at the festival in the RTD Merch tent or at our office in the basement of the Claydesta Towers at 10 Desta Drive. Every contribution will enter you in a chance to win a 2008 RTD festival pack! Help us show our support!

Congratulations to Dan Brown, Jr.! He received the most votes in the 2007 Rock The Desert Online New Artist contest. Dan Brown, Jr. will perform at the 2007 festival on Friday, August 11, 2007. Thank you to all of the finalists who participated!

The finalists have been selected for the 2007 RTD New Artist Contest. Now it’s up to you, be sure to listen and vote for your favorite! The artist who receives the most votes will receive a performance slot at Rock The Desert 2007 on August 10 or 11! You can only vote one time per artist.

If you would like to enter the “Online New Artist Contest” for a chance to perform at RTD 2007, please send a demo including a bio and photo to RTD 303 W. Wall, Suite 300 Midland, TX 79701. If you submitted your promo to us in 2006, you are already in the contest! If you have not, the deadline is fast approaching! The last day to submit your promo is September 30! Don’t miss this opportunity!

The prayers of many were answered on July 28. It rained, not only did it rain, but it was record-setting rain! We were disappointed that the evening concert was canceled but it rained too long and hard to get the stage, etc. dried out enough to begin again.

Saturday was beautiful and the music was great! The only glitch was Mary Mary. Their flight from LA was delayed and they missed their connection to Midland and could not get another flight. So far, the most requested band from 2006 for a return performance to RTD is Kutless! Overall, the attendance topped out at 11,000! According to the survey, 73% of the attendees were from outside Midland and Odessa. For 38%, this was their first RTD to attend.

The 2006 photos are on their way and will be on the website soon. You will also be able to view the photos on the Rock The Desert myspace. You can access it at www.myspace.com/rockthedesert

The online new artist contest is returning! Be sure to check back and vote for your favorite! If you have any comments or suggestions, just send us an email! info@rockthedesert.com

RTD Radio has moved to KBAT/99.9! The Fogarty Show is new and crazier than before! Be sure to tune in every Sunday morning between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM!

was announced on July 16th as the winner of the Scars Entertainment 2006 Battle of the Bands winner! ARLT will perform on Friday, July 28 at 3:00 PM at Rock The Desert Festival! So grab your lawn chair and come out and support these guys on the 28th! Rock The Desert would like to thank all of the artists who participated in the Knockout! Ya’ll were awesome! Reminder….RTD will hold the Online New Artist Contest again for 2 slots at the 2007 festival. The deadline for entries is September 1, so get your promo packs to us today. Send to RTD 303 W. Wall, Suite 300 Midland, TX 79701!

Check out Faith Night at the Midland Rockhounds game, July 14th at 5:00 Soulstrum will be in concert with Warren Barfield before the game at 7:00 PM.

Sunday July 16th is the Final Round of the Battle of the Bands, “The Knockout”! The Battle begins at 3:00 PM at Midland Center. The event will feature the 10 finalists in competition and will close with Crimson Soul and Tyler Dodds, the RTD New Artist Contest winners for 2006.

Don’t forget to get your tickets for RTD “United” ’06! Tickets on sale at Chick Fila in Midland and Odessa and all Kent Kwik locations and you can also get them on our website! Don’t forget to check out our store! Get your T-shirts before the festival! Do you live in Big Spring? Pick up your tickets at Bean’s World Café and on Saturday, July 15th at Wal-Mart between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM featuring a live remote with KBST!

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED FOR THE FESTIVAL! Have you always wanted to work at RTD? We have lots of great opportunities available! Selling Band Merchandise, selling RTD Merchandise, working the Ticket Gate, Directing traffic in the Parking Lot, WOW, that’s a lot of fun! And Trash Collection is even more fun! Don’t forget the work days on the Saturday’s leading up to the festival beginning at 8:00 AM and if you like to work with the Stage set up, join us out on the festival grounds beginning on Monday at 8:00 AM! We need lots of help! If you want to volunteer, go to the volunteer section on the website! Sign Up today!

The original RTD Radio Team featuring Fogarty & Shank is back! All new, rockin’ show begins Sunday, the 16th on KBAT! Be sure to visit the RTD Radio booth at the festival next to KBAT! Don’t forget to tune in every Sunday morning from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM