Three colleagues and I formed a “work band” several years ago when I was a captive employee at Healthways, and had a blast performing for employee events like our annual all-company meetings and summer family fun days, as well as corporate-sponsored events like the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, World Health Care Congress in D.C., and the annual Medical Outcomes Summit in Austin.

At one point, the membership in Strat5 grew to 17 – but as a large corporation based in Music City, USA, you can imagine that we had a fairly talented pool of employees to draw from! I actually blogged briefly about some Strat5 activities over here a while back.

A few years ago the group started participating in Fortune’s Battle of the Corporate Bands, and have made semifinals every year. Last year, after I left Healthways, the group traveled to Cleveland for the finals, which is held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (no relationship between my retirement and them making it past semifinals – at least, that’s what they assure me :-), and we’re hoping they make another trip this year!

Strat5 is made up of colleagues from Healthways (>50% must be from the org, by BOCB rule) and for the past few years has been the only, or one of few, bands participating from Music City, USA. The semifinals are this Saturday, July 18, 2009 (sorry for the short notice!) and all of the bands participating from across the country would love to have your support. The musicians really are top notch, especially considering that they are not pros (another BOCB rule), and the proceeds generated all go to a worthy cause.

Admission is free, but you must print and bring the the attached flyer!

BOCB

Right-click it, Save it, Print it, come on out, and…

Be free!

Jeff

JULY 18, 2009 – UPDATE: The rockers won! The band is headed to Cleveland for the second year in a row! If you missed it, check out some video clips here: http://tr.im/tZDB