Chili's Crowns Musician 'Rock Star For A Day'; Cliff Hillis' Remix of Baby Back Ribs Song Wins Nationwide Contest

By: Chili's Grill & Bar | 0 Shares 223 Reads

DALLAS, Jan 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Chili's Grill & Bar named Cliff Hillis the winner of the restaurant brand's "Rock Star For A Day" contest. Hillis' up-tempo version of the popular Baby Back Ribs song garnered the most votes on Chili's MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/chilis ). After thousands of votes were tallied, Hillis' version of the classic commercial jingle edged out nine other finalists to win the grand prize in Chili's nationwide contest.

As "Rock Star for a Day," Hillis receives four round-trip tickets to Los Angeles; a stay at a luxury hotel; four backstage passes to a concert by the New West Records artist of his choice; and, most importantly, a face-to-face meeting with New West Records executives.

Originally from Rehoboth Beach, Del., Hillis currently lives in Philadelphia and works as a solo artist in addition to performing with several local bands.

"I am thrilled my version of the song won," says Hillis. "I got an e-mail from a friend encouraging me to enter the contest, then I just started messing around at my home studio tracking a bazillion vocals, and it turned into this cool remix. Now I'm really pumped about the trip to L.A. and the meeting with New West Records."

"We have a well-deserved winner in Cliff and we're happy to reward this talented up-and-coming musician," said Ken Thewes, vice president of marketing for Chili's Grill & Bar. "We are currently entertaining the idea of using his version of the song in some form of advertising in the future."

When Chili's launched four new flavors of ribs this past October, the restaurant brand tapped the group Old 97's to create a new, folk-pop version of the original Baby Back Ribs song to be used in advertising. To accompany the launch of both the new ribs and the new version of the song, Chili's encouraged customers to create their own customized version of the jingle to enter in the "Rock Star For A Day" contest.

Chili's Baby Back Ribs song is arguably one of the most recognizable jingles in contemporary advertising. Singled out on many lists as being one of the "Top Earworms" that stick in your head, the song is as memorable from the beginning "I want my baby back, baby back, baby back ... " mantra to the " ... with barbecue sauce" finale.

To listen to Hillis' winning version of the Baby Back Ribs song, visit the Chili's MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/chilis .

Chili's Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining. Chili's offers a fun, energetic atmosphere and a distinct, fresh mix of grilled American favorites at more than 1,200 locations in 24 countries. Other Brinker brands include Romano's Macaroni Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. For more information, please visit http://www.chilis.com .

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