On the evening of May 21, High Rocks and The Hub held the first ever Battle of the Bands that brought more than 200 people to The Hub at Montwell Park. Ten bands from southern West Virginia performed a variety of music during the evening.
The winner in the Solo category is Emmalea Deal, a 16 year old from Summersville. The winner for the Band category, Silent Islands, is a group of Second Block Rock (Greenbrier East’s rock and roll band) alumni. The band winning People’s Choice Award, Greenbrier River Mud Puppies, a group of young men with a passion for traditional Appalachian music. The Change, a funky all-female band did an amazing job hosting the bands and entertaining the crowd. The Hub thanks Jim Alder and Second Block Rock for providing equipment and talent who helped kick off the show.
The event proves that with community support for youth in music the talent exceeds preconceived conclusion on the skills and talent that youth’s envelope. High Rocks and The Hub foremost thank the performers, judges, volunteers, and the parents who nurture their children to embrace the love of music. Also, without the help of sponsors Community In Schools, Hashtag Lewisburg, West Virginia Winter Music Festival, The Afterschool Alliance, partners at Montwell Park, Gillespie’s Flowers and Productions, When Pigs Fly , The Bakery on Court Street, Little Caesars and Shoney’s, the event would not have been nearly as successful as it was.
