(Top) The crowd at Chadwick's Battle of the Bands, held Saturday, Sept. 6 in Chadwick, gives a hearty round of applause after a song by Chadwick's "Infidel Castrones." (Left) Drummer David Taylor of "Downplay" sits in with "Infidel Castrones" and Joey "Old Jeezy" Dane (rt) on rhythm guitar.

"The Battle of the Bands was great fun and everyone that turned out enjoyed it, and it was great for the bands themselves," said Theresa Ruf, who with her husband Kurt and Joey Danes, organized this event.

Ron Cole with "The Second Chance Band" told Ruf that "It means a great deal to us, as artists, to keep live music an instrumental part of civic events and festivities.It affords the chance to showcase local talent and remind folks of the artistry that lies right in their own backyard. It also allows area venues the chance to see what talents are available to them as an alternative to pre-recorded music or DJs."

"One of the nicest things about the almost 9-hour day of music and bands that really surprised and pleased everyone, was the support the bands gave for one another," Ruf stated. "All day long we observed things like the bassist for The Distinguished Gentlemen, Mike Gothard, filling in for the bassist in Everly AND filling in with Infidel Castrones! Mike blew away the judges and the crowds with his musicianship, and also was the sound guy for all 3 bands!

"And all of the bands' drummers who stood in for the drummer of Infidel Castrones . . . How great and funny was that jam session of a show! It was great how everyone jumped up and supported them! It made for a really fun show," Ruf added.

Ruf thanked Kevin Stroupe from Turning Point Productions "for stepping in to be our awesome MC/announcer for the day. He's a natural! Great job, Kevin!"

She also thanked the Infidel Castrones who were there with all the other bands before set up and provided audio help, donated their equipment to the other bands, "and for making a Dairy Queen run for the other bands and staying most of the night helping us clean up and lending support. And especially toJoey Danes from Infidel Castrones, who helped us organize this event.

"And our judges, it goes without being said.It's not easy to have to judge fellow musicians, and it was no easy task for either judging panel," Ruf said. "Deprivation Chamber not only judged all of Competition #2, but then performed for us for 90 minutes in addition! I know Second Chance Band (and Maria Bibler of Bibler Trucking) took a long time to weigh their decision as to the winner of Competition #1 - They were so impressed by all 3 acts! I also have pages of notes Deprivation Chamber took on the bands from Competition #2 and I can tell you that competition came so close the bands were within decimal points of one another."

The winner of Competition #1 was Savanna's "Everly," while Competition #2 was won by Freeport's "Downplay."

"Because of you all supporting one another, it has given a huge bump to local live music and creativity and artistry in the local area," Ruf concluded.