SAFFORD — Seventeen bands will vie for the title of best in the Gila Valley, when Battle of the Bands returns this Saturday.
Presented by Valley Vision, Double R Sound and the Double R Communications family of radio stations — Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM — this year the top band will get $3,000, while second will receive a $500 gift certificate to Richard’s Music, while third place will receive a $250 Richard’s Music gift certificate.
There will also plaques presented for best vocalists, guitarist, bassist, drummer and specialty instrument.
Scheduled bands are:
- Noon — Kindred Spirits, Folk
- 12:30 p.m. — Unofficial, Pop/Rock
- 1 p.m. — Muddy Sam, Rock/Country
- 1:30 p.m. — Happy and the Ghosts, Pop/Rock
- 2 p.m. — Up to Something, Pop/Rock
- 2:30 p.m. — Farquaad, Rock
- 3 p.m. — John Petrucci Experience, Alt Rock
- 3:30 p.m. — Chasing Minivans, Rock
- 4 p.m. — 4 Piece Scotts, Pop/Rock
- 4:30 p.m. — Fenwick and the Futures, Rock
- 5 p.m. — Two Ton, Classic Rock
- 5:30 p.m. — Garret James and the Wanderers, Blues/Rock
- 6 p.m. — Zaylie Windsor Band, Pop
- 6:30 p.m. — Letricide, Indie
- 7 p.m. — Trick 900, pop/Rock
- 7:30 p.m. — Power Fixx, Dance/Pop
- 8 p.m. — Keenan Suke, Blues/Rock
As is tradition, the Nickel Picnic will also take place alongside Battle of Bands, with hot dogs sold for just 5 cents. All proceeds from the Bud Light Beer Garden and Nickel Picnic benefit SEACUS, which operates the Meals on Wheels program for homebound seniors, as well as the Senior Centers in Safford, Clifton and Duncan.
Admission to the full day of music is just $5.
Battle of the Bands is sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan; Sparklight; Richard’s Music; Macks Napa Auto Supply; Kempton Chevrolet; Sparks Homestore; Bud Light; Pepsi; Trophies N’ Tees; United Rentals; Vista Recycling; Advanced Air Systems; Valley Vision digital billboards; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
