Battle Of The Bands!

Jessica Lyndon Ray, Winner BOB

Wake Forest, NC ...November 12, 2007

    It was chilly at times on Saturday, November 10th, in the old warehouse now known as "Festival Park" , for the 1st ever Festival Park Battle of the Bands, but the music was hot! Eight area bands performed to win top honors in a competition judges by 3 local professional musicians. Event organizers reported that they felt overall that the day was a success. "Just hearing the positive feedback from the various teen band members, who were thankful for this opportunity, made it all worth it", noted committee member, Marc Duncan of Estate Entrance, a major contributor to the event. Although the turnout was less than hoped for, the organizers were overall pleased with the nearly 400 people who attended the event.

    "This was our first time, and we learned a lot," said Elizabeth Johnson, who along with husband Bob owns the property.

    The light and sound production for the event was handled by Steve Bass of Bass Music Enterprises. "This is the first time in 30 some years I have been doing this that a Battle actually stayed on schedule", exclaimed Bass. "I was very impressed by the professionalism and organization of this group!"

Judges Steve Baker, Freddie Greene and Will McBride all remarked on the level of talent present. "It was really tough to have to see someone win, they were all so talented. I was particularly impressed with the talent these young people are exhibiting for their age", noted Steve Baker. Baker is front man for Bull City Syndicate out of Durham, who will be performing at HerbFest in April 2008 at Festival Park. The winning band was promised the opportunity to open for his band when they play at HerbFest at Festival Park next April.

Winners are as follows:

1st place: Jessica Lyndon Ray
2nd place: FARCRy
3rd place: The Cygnus Loop
4th place: The Wayves
5th place: Mystic Soul
6th place: Chaos & Clockwork

    The first place band, in addition to winning the opportunity to open for Bull City Syndicate next April, also won $300.00 cash and a professional music video from local music production company FIREFLY. FIREFLY is the first record label to locate in Wake Forest. Proceeds from the event went to the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment.

For more information on this release contact:

Elizabeth Johnson
919-306-3857 cell
ejohnson@medfaxxinc.com
www.festivalpark.org
www.gjcae.org
www.wearefirely.com

Meet our Emcee for Battle of the Bands!

NBC 17's Kerry Hall

We are pleased to announce that Kerry Hall was our emcee for Battle of the Bands and she was wonderful! Kerry, a newcomer to the Triangle, began reporting for NBC17 in June 2007. Before moving to Raleigh, Kerry got a taste of reporting everything from agriculture to presidential politics while covering the news for stations in eastern and western Iowa. She is excited to explore the beautiful state of North Carolina after spending many years in the Midwest. Kerry grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Theatre. She says she loves getting up in front of a crowd and is honored to be working with Battle of the Bands and Festival Park. You would never have believed she was not one from the "Old North State" as she made all feel welcome and thoroughly entertained our guests at Battle of The Bands.

The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile...

appearing November 10 at Festival Park's Battle of the Bands!

The famous Oscar Meyer Wienermobile made it's appearance in Wake Forest on November 10th from Noon until 6 p.m. at Festival Park's Battle of the Bands! It truly made the event something the whole family enjoyed, offering free tours of the 11' high 8' wide and 27' long vehichle all day along with games and prizes...featuring the Oscar Meyer Wienie Whistle!