DaimlerChrysler Sponsors Talent Search for American Cancer Society's Cattle Baron's Ball

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 5 -- DaimlerChrysler, serving as the presenting sponsor for the Cattle Baron's Ball (September 16, 2006) to benefit the American Cancer Society today announced the Cattle Baron's Talent search, a talent contest and series of community events to be held this summer.

The Talent Search gives Detroit's best talent a chance to perform at the Cattle Baron's Ball where finalists will have a chance to be named the Cattle Baron Star and receive $10,000, a chance to perform at the Detroit Auto Show and a recording deal.

The CB Talent Search kicks off July 22 with open auditions at the Detroit Opera House from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The contest is for singing talent only, ages 16 and up. Music type and song selection are open for round one ... all are welcome. To guarantee an audition spot, contestants are encouraged to pre register on line at http://www.cbbdetroit.com/talentsearch . Full contest rules and registration forms are available on the website. For further information, call the CB Talent Search hotline 248-229.5382.

Round 2 of the talent search will feature four community events in August where four finalists will be selected. These events will be open to the public and audiences will participate in the judging/selection process. All proceeds from these events will go to the American Cancer Society. The finalists will then perform at the Cattle Baron's Ball on September 16 and the Cattle Baron Star will be selected.

"DaimlerChrysler is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Cattle Baron's Ball and support the American Cancer Society," said Eric Ridenour, COO of the Chrysler Group. "To add a little something different to this year's event, we looked for a way to feature Detroit talent. The Cattle Baron's Talent Search will not only help us find and highlight local talent, this series of events will give the community an opportunity to share in this great effort to support the American Cancer Society."

Eric Ridenour is serving as one of the executive co-chairs for the 2006 Cattle Baron's Ball along with Paul Wilbur, president and CEO of ASC Incorporated.

The Cattle Baron's Ball debuted in Detroit in 2003 and has raised more that $3.5 million to help in the fight against cancer. This year's fundraiser and all of the activities leading up to the main event on September 16, are aimed at increasing awareness of the American Cancer Society, expanding outreach programs and continuing to raise money that will aid in the ACS in its mission to: to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.