Getting that big break is a bit trickier these days, but Brown & Williamson Tobacco is giving 45 unknowns a shot at immortality with Lucky Strike’s Band To Band 2000 competition.

Fifteen national markets have been chosen to host three preliminary competitions each, with the winners receiving $1,000 each and the chance to face off in a final battle of the bands in each market.

The final 15 winners will receive $2,500 in exchange for contributing one song to a Band to Band 2000 compilation CD and touring regionally in five groups of three. Then the competition kicks into high gear.

The winner of the whole shebang will be determined by fans and a panel of music industry types.

The grand champion will be awarded a $15,000 cash prize and gets to open for a nationally touring artist in April 2001. The winner will also have the chance to showcase at several national music conferences.

The other 14 acts get cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $12,000.

Now in its fourth year, the program has expanded to include more than $100,000 in cash and prizes, and a support structure for developing bands.

Among the venues hosting final events throughout November are the House of Blues in Los Angeles and New Orleans, Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas, Smith’s Ole Bar in Atlanta, FitzGerald’s in Houston, Park West in Chicago, and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.

Winners from the first phase of the latest round will perform in five cities in December for their shot at fame and fortune.

OK, so nobody really believes the Robert Johnson legend. But this Band 2 Band thing has its merits. Creed was a participant in 1997 and word has it that another group involved with the contest has just signed with a major record label.