DES MOINES, Iowa (April 6, 2012) - Registration is open for the third annual Wellmark 80/35 Play In, hosted by Wellmark^® Blue Cross^® and Blue Shield^® and Iowa Public Radio (IPR). Artists from across Iowa can sign up to participate in the statewide battle of the bands competition at www.iowapublicradio.org.

This partnership between Wellmark^® Blue Cross^® and Blue Shield^® and IPR provides an opportunity for Iowa bands to receive exposure on statewide radio and share the stage with national artists at the 2012 80/35 Music Festival.

A panel of 80/35 and IPR judges will evaluate the entries and narrow the field to eight semi-finalists who will be awarded the opportunity to perform live on IPR’s Studio One. Performances will be posted to the IPR website for fans to vote for their favorite artists.

From online voting, three finalists will be selected to perform in a final showcase where fans can vote in person or online. The winner will perform on the Wellmark Mainstage at the 80/35 Music Festival on Saturday, July 7.

Official rules entry and timelines can be found at www.iowapublicradio.org.