i remember reading an article about "real" bands that play corporate functions (meetings, conventions, parties) for big bucks, but for the past few years, corporations have been going in-house for their entertainment.

...and my dad's company was the first winner of the BATTLE OF THE CORPORATE ROCK BANDS, which is the world of reverse logic makes his company maybe one of the coolest in the world. i mean, the band gets all its gear FOR FREE! and by covering the Eagles and being called "The Difference," it's a wonder that they were never NME's next big thing...

The Difference Wins First Place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Battle of the Corporate Bands (CorpNews 10/9/01)

On 6 October 2001, nearly 100 Cleveland-area AP employees and customers listened with fingers crossed as The Difference began their one-song playoff before a panel of celebrity judges at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Ohio.

Soon those fingers were snapping and toes were tapping as The Difference played "Hotel California" (originally by The Eagles). The competition, the first annual Battle of the Corporate Bands, was sponsored by the Hall of Fame and Fortune magazine, and included nine other corporate bands from around the country.

Following the play-off two finalists were selected, The Difference and The Briggs Bluesbusters (from Briggs & Stratton). Playing with AP-brand passion, The Difference won. According to Sal Nicrone, singer/drummer for The Difference, "The competition was close since six of the other bands were very talented. Everyone had a great time, and we got to network with employees from other corporations, meet representatives from Fortune, and show people the kind of spirit that Air Products is about."

The eight Trexlertown employees who perform as The Difference have shared their music with our employees, our customers, and the community, during 25 shows (primarily for charitable organizations) since the band's formation last year.

"The Battle of the Corporate Bands was not only a great way for us to

please employees and customers in the area by inviting them as guests, but it's also a global publicity opportunity," said Beth Mentesana, manager, AP Public Relations. "Fortune is a reputable and influential business magazine with a worldwide circulation of one million, and they'll be publishing an article about the competition in November."

The Difference rocks for Air Products