Battle of the Bands is open to all genres

Lakeside High School is looking for musicians to face off on stage.

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The school's semiannual Battle of the Bands is scheduled for Nov. 3, and organizers are seeking student bands of all musical genres to perform.

"All are welcome," Don Clauson, an event coordinator said, adding that the Battle normally attracts rock artists. "It'd be kind of unique if we had somebody different."

The entry fee is $25 per band, and at least one member of each band must attend a Columbia County high school. Each band on the playbill will perform a 30-minute set.

Bands from Harlem, Lakeside and Evans high schools have already inquired about the battle, but none has returned the required application, song lyrics and entry fee. All five band slots were still open Thursday, Clauson said.

"There's a lot of them that this is probably the first time for most of them (to play in public)," Clauson said. "It gives them a chance to get out in front of somebody and get a feel for it. It gives them a chance to talk to some peers, some of the other kids in bands in different schools."

Several Battle of the Bands winners have gone on to enjoy musical success. The Mood competed for a $1 million record contract through the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands after winning the Atlanta battle. Glass Bottom Boat, which won the competition twice in a row a few years ago, has recorded two CDs.

The battle has been held for several years as a fundraiser for the school's Parent-Teacher-Student Organization. Last year, proceeds allowed the PTSO to provide wireless Internet access to the campus.

Tickets for the concert cost $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information, contact Clauson at (706) 868-0520 or dclauson@thomson-mcduffie.net; or Annette Shippe at (706) 860-4760 or kws11158@aol.com.