DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - "AcoustiCon," featuring guitar virtuoso Brad Sayre and award winning bassist David Simmons, has been slated to perform the National Anthem at the Daytona Beach Thunder's inaugural season home opener on Thursday, March 2, 2006.

AcoustiCon has gained international attention with their uniquely original music and abilities that have been compared to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix. They have won numerous awards from the Songwriters Showcases of America including "Recording Artist of the Year" and the "Best Guitarist Award."

AcoustiCon has released three CD's and has written soundtracks for over a dozen films, including theme music for Chuck Norris' "United Fighting Arts Federation Training Videos."

The artists will assist the Thunder staff in its audition search for three national anthem singers later in the season. For further information on AcoustiCon go to www.acousticon.net.

Opening for the Thunder will also include a post-game concert featuring southern rock legends Molly Hatchet. There's going to be a game, too, with Daytona Beach facing the Raleigh Rebels at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Ocean Center Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.