SAFFORD — Some heat, some humidity, even a sudden thunderstorm couldn’t stop the music.
The Double R Communications Battle of the Bands returned to the Gila Valley Saturday, which proved to be the right time for Borrowed Time, the band that was crowned this year’s champion.
“I’ve worked my whole life to be a musician and this is the greatest feeling I’ve had, ever,” said Tanner Johnson, Borrowed Time vocalist. “All these years of putting in the work to get right here.”
Battle of the Bands featured a full day of music at Graham County Fairgrounds, with Borrowed Time the last to take the stage and presented the challenge of topping a series of bands that continually elevated the crowd’s energy.
Such as Celestial Exile, a five-piece group from Bylas and Peridot that amped up the crowd with its high-energy metal performance.
“I go with what my guys have; I go with what the crowd has. If they’re feeling, I feel it,” said Celestial Exile vocalist Vinton Steele.
Celestial Exile captured two individual awards — Best Drummer was presented to Addison Fowler and the Jim Aker Memorial Best Guitarist was Josh Titla.
Also taking two awards was the Gila Valley’s Zaylie and Love Riot. As a group they took second place and all three members — Zaylie Windsor, Ginny Carter and Jace Hughes —shared the Best Vocalist award, despite having their set interrupted by the thunderstorm.
“It was electric,” Windsor said. “It was so fun, I really enjoyed it and my band mates are awesome.”
Evan Jernigan, with Second Hand Smoke, was named Best Bassist and Best Specialty Instrumentalist was keyboardist Jeremy Scott, with 4 Piece Scotts.
The third place band was Lucky J’s.
“It’s amazing, you know?” said Lucky J’s Ernest McCormick. “Especially when these guys are all into it and the crowd’s into it, everybody’s playing together and we’re meshing; normally it doesn’t happen that well. But there’s something about being up there it just brings it all together for you.”
Borrowed Time received a check for $1,500 and a plaque from Trophies ‘N Tees, Zaylie and Love Riot received a $500 gift certificate to Richard’s Music and a Trophies ‘N Tees plaque, while Lucky J’s went home with a Trophies ‘N Tees plaque and a $300 gift certificate to Richard’s Music.
All individual winners received a Trophies ‘N Tees plaque and a $100 gift certificate to Richard’s Music.
Following the competition was the Battle of the Bands After Party, featuring a special performance by Country Music recording artist Harry Luge, sponsored by Horne Freedom Ford.
Also taking place was the Nickel Picnic, featuring 5-cent hot dogs, a fund-raiser for the Safford Rotary Club; the SEACUS Beer Tent, with all proceeds going to support Meals on Wheels.
Sponsors included Mack’s Auto Supply/NAPA, Bud Light, Swire Coca-Cola, Sparklight, Freeport-McMoRan, Richard’s Music, Audio Visions and Trophies ‘N Tees.
