Siena Student's Music Airing on CMT

After two successful runs in the NCAA Tournament, Siena College has become synonymous with Cinderella stories. Now a Siena student is hoping Reba McEntire will become his “Fairy Godmother” in another single-elimination, bracket-style tournament. But instead of college hoops, senior psychology major, Jon Lewyckyj is playing in country music’s version of the “big dance.”

 

Lewyckyj and his childhood friend John Lomascolo make up the band, Uptown Rival. The duo has been playing music together since they were in high school at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. When they found out about Country Music Television’s “Music City Madness” competition hosted by Reba McEntire, they decided to take their high school hobby to a whole new level.

 

To qualify for the 64-team, Internet-based tournament and television show which airs next week, Uptown Rival needed a song and a music video. They came up with, “I Don’t Think I’m Crazy.” It was selected for the tournament and Lewyckyj and Lomascolo are now fighting for a chance to win the grand prize: an all expenses paid trip to Nashville to record their own CMT Studio 330 Sessions, play a private showcase with executives at Valory Music, the sister label of Taylor Swift’s music label, Big Machine and have a backstage experience with country music legend Reba McEntire.

 

“It’s incredible,” Lewyckyj said of the opportunity.

 

The tournament is divided into four brackets with a major country music star representing each one. The judges, Jack Ingram, Jewel, Jimmy Wayne and Justin Moore, chose the songs and artists they’ll represent. Uptown Rival is in Justin Moore’s bracket, which Lewyckyj said is a perfect fit because Moore has been one of his musical mentors.

 

“To have somebody that you love pick your song; it makes it that much better,” Lewyckyj said.

 

At this point though, his dreams of country music superstardom are in the hands of country music fans across the world. People can vote online at www.madness.cmt.com. Voting is underway and continues until Monday, November 2^nd. The winner will be revealed on December 15^th.

 

Lewyckyj said so far, the Siena community has been a huge help in getting out the vote. “The response I’ve gotten from Siena is unlike anything I’ve experienced before,” he said.

 

He hopes to keep building on that momentum and advancing in “Music City Madness.” Lewyckyj says the half-hour show debuts next week on CMT.

 

How to vote for Jon:

Visit: http://www.cmt.com/interact/music_city_madness/vote/bracket.jhtml?quad=2

Click on Justin Moore.

Click on "Uptown Rival" and press "Vote"

On bottom left of the page, click "Submit Your Votes"