SAFFORD — One of the Gila Valley’s favorite events returns this weekend.
The 18th annual Double R Communications Battle of the Bands is Saturday, July 9, at Graham County Fairgrounds.
The first band takes the stage at noon, with a new band every 30 minutes. This year’s line-up includes:
Noon — Black Hills Band (rock/country)
12:30 —One Way Sky (alternative)
1 – Second Hand Smoke (rock)
1:30 — The Sonflowers (alternative)
2 — 3rd Stone (blues)
2:30 — Citrus (indy)
3 — Last Territory Band (country/southern rock)
3:30 — Ignite (Christian rock)
4 — No Time to Kill (rock)
4:30 — Borrowed Time (metal)
5 — Last Dream (rock)
5:30 — Novices No Longer (rock)
6 — Happy and the Ghosts (rock)
6:30 — Crush (rock)
7 — Plane Jane (variety)
7:30 — 4 Lokos (rock)
“We don’t care what kind of music you play,” said Double R Communications owner Reed Richins. “We’ve had every kind of music win the Battle of the Bands over the last 18 years . . . the funny thing is, I don’t know that we’ve had a country band win.”
The winning band will take home a check for $2,000, while second place gets a $500 Richard’s Music gift certificate and $250 cash. Plus there are prizes for the best singer, guitar player, bassist, drummer and specialty instrumentalist.
Judges this year are 2008 Gila Valley Idol winner Adam Crohn, 2017 Gila Valley Idol winner Darryn Kamae and 2018 Gila Valley Idol winner Pete McCormick.
Also taking place is the Nickel Picnic, featuring 5 cent hot dogs supplied by the Safford Taylor Freeze. The Nickel Picnic is a fund-raiser for the Safford Rotary Club; plus there will be the SEACUS Beer Tent, with all proceeds going to support Meals on Wheels; and plenty of other vendors.
Admission is just $2 for the day and the 2022 Battle of the Bands T-shirts will be available for purchase.
Sponsors include Mack’s Auto Supply/NAPA; Bud Light; Swire Coca-Cola; Sparklight; Freeport-McMoRan; Richard’s Music; Audio Visions; Brando’s Fun N’ Sun Travel and Cruise; Trophies ‘N Tees; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5, Sunny 102. 3 and News Talk KATO AM 1230.
