The band 17Candle was on top of the world.

Having been voted into the Top 3 bands in the nation for the Land Shark Lagers online battle of the bands contest, the five-piece Des Moines-based rock group received the harsh blow in one word that would snuff most band's burning flames -- "disqualified," due to voting rule restrictions that were unclear.

But 17Candle is unlike most bands.

Just two days after receiving the news, the band was en route to Las Vegas to perform a show date, and on New Year's, will headline the Capital One Bowl's All-American Half-time show in Orlando, Fla., which will be broadcast nationally and feature the band, its music, 500 dancers and pyrotechnics.

"The Land Shark Lagers contest definitely helped get us attention," said 17Candle drummer Nick Le Guillou in a phone interview from the road. "To be able to say that we finished in the Top 3 in the nation is a huge deal for us and helped us get our foot in the door as far as other engagements. So, we're disappointed by the outcome, but we accept it and are moving on to bigger and better things."

17Candle, which includes Beau Timmerman, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, as well as others from Iowa and Minnesota, describes its sound as adult contemporary rock.

Forming at the University of Northern Iowa in 2001, 17Candle went through several changes and hiatuses before arriving at its current line-up, garnering a strong following that helped them burn brighter in the Land Shark Lagers contest.

Lead singer Ben LaFleur, has been an instrumental part of the band's success, following and promotional efforts, said Le Guillou.

"Ben was really the one that got us on board with Land Shark Lagers," Le Guillou said. "And, that has led to some really amazing things for us."

Land Shark Lagers, a Jimmy Buffet-brand brew with a large southern following that is just starting to creep into other parts of the country, sponsored the Web-based battle of the bands, which began in July. The first round of the contest selected 20 bands each from three regions -- Chicago, Austin and Nashville -- and whittled down the talent in the second performance round with four remaining bands per region.

The winner will receive a $100,000 marketing package -- equivalent to two million banner ads on Rhapsody.com and a full-page ad in Rolling Stone magazine.

17Candle was in the Top 3 amongst the regional bands in the nation at the time of its disqualification. But the 8-year-old band is hardly throwing in the towel, with even bigger opportunities on the horizon.

"We're thrilled with the other opportunities we have coming up," Le Guillou said. "The Capitol One Half-time show is a tradition. It'll be an awesome show."

17Candle is hosting a contest of its own on the band's Web site, allowing fans to register for a chance to win a trip to see the band perform at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on New Year's.