June 18, 2001 – Pamela Anderson kicks off a rivalry between the U.S. and Canada today by selecting Chicago band pinch as the second of three finalists for Jam with Pam, an online music contest to find the best unsigned band in North America. The contest's first finalist, Canada's Counterbalance, will compete against pinch for a chance to play at Rolling Rock Town Fair 2.0 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, this August, and have a CD professionally produced in Los Angeles.

Jam with Pam is a collaboration of PamTV, Pamela Anderson's Internet production company, and beer.com.

"The music was just as good this month as it was in the first round. I listened to great songs but pinch's sound just really caught my attention," said Pamela Anderson. "I can't wait to hear what's up in the June round. So, I encourage music lovers to keep voting on www.jamwithpam.com."

More than 300,000 music lovers visited the site and over 900 songs have been submitted to www.jamwithpam.com in April and May. One more "Six Pack" winner will be announced in July to make up three finalists, from which Pamela with help from a panel of celebrities will select a grand champ. The contest closes June 30, 2001.

The May 2001 "Six Pack" included, in order of votes: pinch, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Silverseed, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada; Squeezetoy, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Blaq Lily, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Lava Baby, New Jersey, USA; and PoorMarqus, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

"The quality of music submitted to beer.com's Jam with Pam contest has been fantastic. We knew that outstanding talent existed in the many unknown bands across North America and that they just needed a showcase opportunity like Jam with Pam to get a chance to be heard by fans at Rolling Rock Town Fair 2.0," said Aidan Tracey, general manager, beer.com.

It was the song "18 Proof" from pinch's debut CD Running on Fumes that earned the band a spot in May's "Six Pack" and became "Pam's Pick" for this round. All Chicago natives, the band comprises of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Frankie Ferro; drummer TJ Levin; bassist Bobby Settles; and, lead guitarist Chris Skogs. The band members have been living and playing music together for two years and have performed at music festivals and local clubs in Chicago.

"I'm excited about the possibility of the Jam with Pam contest opening the doors to some national and international opportunities," said Frankie Ferro, lead vocalist, pinch. "Winning this round is a reassurance to us that we're doing the right thing and that we are in the right field."

Just for voting, one music lover of legal drinking age will be chosen to attend Rolling Rock Town Fair 2.0, all expenses paid, and accompany the winning band to their recording session in Los Angeles, California.