'Rock Star' returns to Canada

By KAREN BLISS -- For JAM! Music

Toronto proved fruitful last time around when Mark Burnett Productions took its talent search north of the U.S. border for Rock Star: INXS. J.D. Fortune won the coveted spot and is now living out his rock star dream. A little more than a year after that cattle call, the CBS television series returns for a second season with auditions being held all over North America, including two stops in Canada.

This time, there is no name band seeking a singer, but guest musicians will be involved in the weekly summer show mentored again by Dave Navarro. It is simply a search for rock singers/songwriters who wish to earn a major label contract with Burnett Records/Epic. Men and women, ages 21 and up, can sing up to three songs (covers or originals) to a CD track (with no vocal) or with one musical instrument.

Toronto auditions will be held at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on March 13; the Vancouver ones on March 23 at The Roxy. Like last time, there will be a closed, industry referral day, which are scheduled appointments the following day by invitation-only. Call backs for both days are the day after that. Contact Peter Cohen at pcohen@markburnettprod.com