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Second Annual Battle of the Bands

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Scores of music lovers flocked to Gallup’s Second Annual Battle of the Bands Championship, held downtown at the El Morro Theatre March 3. The event was sponsored by The Door Gallup Christian Center, a local church, that wants to both showcase the talent of local bands and spread their message of faith.

After the bands played a winner was chosen, and Kool Country took first place.

Four bands competed to win the grand prize, which was a $500 shopping spree to Serenade Music of Gallup. Bands competing were: Kool Country, Steel Reserve, Bad Country, Students of the New School, and Rippy & and The Sillyettes.

Each band was given the opportunity to play two songs and wow the crowd. This year’s crowd was much bigger than last years, as perhaps the majority of this year’s bands were of the country music genre, and not that of the heavy metal genre from last year.

The event proved to be more successful as the crowd grew to well over 200 people. The participation was great according to Josh Montoya, outreach director for the Door.

“It was a great turn out and it was good to give the community some family fun since there is really nothing going on during the winter,” he said. “The community has so much talent but really no place to showcase it.”

The Battle of the Bands idea was first introduced last year and this year proved successful that hopes of its continuation will happen, since it’s a family friendly event.

“It’s a no-brainer that this worked well so be looking out for this event to hit next year,” Montoya said. “It’s a family friendly event for everyone.”

Kool Country of Gallup, who have been playing for over 10 years around the Four Corners, had heard about the contest on the radio and seen it on a flyer.

“It felt good and way different since it was done by a church ... but we did it for fun,” Kool Country drummer Christopher McCork said.

Door prizes were given out through the night as the crowd cheered on the bands. One favorite of the crowd was Students of the New School, a youth band from the Door whose members consist of teenagers whose ages range from 13 to 16.

James Wilson, who helped with this years event, and whose son, Austin Wilson, band member of Students of the New School, said the crowd was amazing.

“It was a better audience participation and the crowd was really into it,” Wilson said.

Other helpers like Stewart Yellowhorse agreed the turn out was great.

“I thought it was great, a really good turnout from last year. The crowd was really excited, and I thought we were really going to fill up the place,” Yellowhorse said.

Montoya expressed his gratitude to folks that attended the event

“Thank you to the community from myself and the church for coming out and supporting  these local bands.” he said.

By Dee Velasco

For the Sun