Bartering musical talent will result in more than just entertainment for more than 3.2 million Americans; it will turn into free fuel.

On Saturday, October 11 at 11 am eastern time, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), along with 2020 Vision, 3 Kingdoms Entertainment, Exxon, Lehigh Gas, International Reciprocal Trade Association, Pennsylvania Gasoline Retailers and Allied Trades, will stand together at an Exxon gas station in Philadelphia to announce a revolutionary world tour and film titled, Music is Our Oil (MIO).

The MIO world tour is scheduled to kick off in June 2009, and will send America’s greatest hip-hop and rock artists to oil producing countries to barter their musical talent for 20 million barrels of oil. The 20 million oil barrels will transform into 125-gallon MIO gas cards, which will be distributed to 3.2 million Americans through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program.

“The rising cost of energy has created a strain on all consumers across the country. Through the Music is Our Oil program we will not only be dispensing gas cards, but we’ll also be encouraging consumers to fill up with E10,” said Toni Nuernberg, executive director of EPIC.

Following the press conference a free concert titled BETA TEST will be held at 3 p.m. EST at the Exxon gas station, which is being dubbed Rock & Roll Exxon for the day. The free concert will feature 10 indie rock bands and hip-hop artists bartering for a full tank of gas that will be turned into a 25-gallon MIO gas card to be given to low-income families through the TANF program.