Six bands, three cities, one chance to become Band of the Year. It's the simple formula for a new competition that will take place at ACL Live this Saturday, June 16.

The Band of the Year contest, presented by Formula 1 Expo, started with a pool of 40 bands that battled it out in semi-final competitions held at Stubb’s in Austin and the House of Blues in Houston and Dallas. Now, six Texas bands on the rise — four of whom hail from Austin — will take the stage to win the new title of Band of the Year 2012.

Vying to bring the Band of the Year title to Austin are an eclectic mix of musical acts: R&B masters Soul Track Mind, alternative songstress Little Brave, Latin-fueled Vallejo and worship band theRESPONSE. The lineup is rounded out by Dallas-based funk artist Larry g(EE) and El Paso country group the Dirty River Boys.

Finalists will compete this Saturday in front of a packed house of potential fans and industry professionals. The title of Band of the Year means more than just a sweet cash prize and music gear. The newly-crowned winner will get the chance to play for a crowd of 130,000 at the inaugural Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in November.

With four of the finalists hailing from Austin, the odds are in our favor for keeping this new title in the Live Music Capital of the World.

Tickets to the Band of the Year 2012 finals are available now. Not only will you get to catch six up-and-comers on a world famous stage, you’ll get to see some special performances, too. Austin favorites Guy Forsyth, Ginger Leigh and Patrice Pike are all scheduled to appear.