KJHK music competition needs entries

By Beth Beavers

Monday, October 26, 2009

KJHK is looking for local musicians who make good music. It is accepting entries for its annual battle of the bands, the Farmer’s Ball.

Logan Nickels, Stillwater, Okla., senior, and KJHK station manager, said Farmer’s Ball was a great way to promote local bands.

“For bands that don’t have an output, it is a good way for them to get out there,” Nickels said.

Peter Lyrene, Fairhope, Ala., senior, and Live Events Director for KJHK, said bands, rappers, solo artists or musicians of any kind were encouraged to enter.

“There has been a lot more hip-hop in the past few years,” Lyrene said.

Lyrene said eight bands would be selected to participate in the Farmer’s Ball. The bands are selected by KJHK’s music and live events staff as well as KJHK DJs. To be as unbiased as possible, the judges do not know the name of the band as they listen to entries.

The actual Farmer’s Ball will take place during two nights. On Nov. 20 at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., all eight acts will perform. The audience will vote, and the best four will perform again the next night at the Jackpot Saloon, 943 Massachusetts St. The audience will then vote to decide the winner.

“Last year, we played at the Jackpot for two nights and it was pretty full,” Nichols said. “The bands were a lot of fun and it was a really diverse set. People were really into it.”

The winner will receive paid recording time and discounted band merchandise.

Lyrene said previous winners included Stik Figa, Hawley Shoffner, Boo and Boo Too, Greg Enemy, and Ad Astra Per Aspera.

“Stik Figa was someone that no one really knew about,” Lyrene said. “But now he’s opening up for major acts.”

— Edited by Abbey Strusz

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