You’ve heard of the Waka Winter Classic, right? It’s the battle-of-the-bands competition featuring local groups competing for a spot on a Wakarusa stage.
Well, with a new country music festival coming to Mulberry Mountain this summer, it seems only fair that local country bands should also have a chance to earn a spot on a big-time festival lineup.
As it happens, that’s already been created, and a series of events will kick off next month in several cities across the region, including one in Fayetteville on Saturday, March 2 at George’s Majestic Lounge.
The Fayetteville event will feature locals Strange Derangers, Charliehorse, Luke Williams, Backroad Anthem and Kelly Road. During the competition, the crowd will choose their favorite group, and the winning band will earn a spot on the Thunder on the Mountain festival lineup. Admission is $5.
Three other throwdowns are planned on March 14 in Little Rock at The Rev Room, March 15 in Ft. Smith at Longhorn Saloon and March 16 in Ft. Worth, Texas at Lola’s Saloon.
Thunder on the Mountain is set for June 6-8 on Mulberry Mountain, and includes performances by Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Big & Rich, Montgomery Gentry and others. Tickets are on sale now at thunderonthemountain.com.
IF it is “judged” anything like the Winter Classic, I’m sure the band that has been playing in Fayetteville the longest duration will win, and the deserving groups will stand-by wondering what happened.
It’s true battle-of-the-bands are a popularity contest of motivating the most friends to vote for you. This has been true for decades, whether high school competitions, or competing for festival entry. It’s either a vote, or a panel of judges, to narrow down a crop of bands. It’s a tough decision, you wish all the local bands could win. Most musicians want to keep music as art, expression, and not make it a battle against your mates. Good luck to all the contestants. Space Camp is great and I would like to see them at a festival. Flipoff Pirates were able to rally more troops for the Waka Winter Classic. Congrats to them, I say.