SAFFORD — “If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it.”
Orsino’s words in “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare can also apply to the Gila Valley’s music lovers, who had to go without live music for much of 2020. But that changes July 10 when Battle of the Bands returns.
Battle of the Bands at Graham County Fairgrounds is an annual tradition in the Gila Valley, put on by Double R Communications and in conjunction with Safford Rotary Club’s Nickel Picnic — a fund-raiser where hot dogs are just 5 cents each.
Up to 20 bands will compete for the $1,500 first prize, plus prizes for second through fourth, as well as individual awards for best vocalist, bass player, drummer, specialty instrument and the Jim Aker Best Guitarist.
Double R Communications’ Reed Richins said registration of bands has been slow but consistent. Complicating things has been the effect of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry and the wildfires burning to the west of Graham County.
“A bunch of bands haven’t been working for a year, and have broken up and had to get real jobs. So we’re looking at that situation, too. We have some bands from the (San Carlos Apache) Reservation that are signed up; how is that going to work,” Richins said.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first band takes the stage at noon. Admission is just $2 for the entire day and there will be event T-shirt sales and other vendors, including the beer garden fund-raiser for SEACUS/Meals on Wheels.
Sponsors of Battle of the Bands are III Counties Distributing/Bud Light, Swire Coca-Cola, Richard’s Music, Sparklight, Audiovisions and Trophies N’ Tees.
For more information and to register a band, e-mail battleofthebands@doublermedia.net.
