Five company-sponsored bands are set to face off in a new Journal Record event that will showcase musical talents of employees. Battle of the Corporate Bands will feature a variety of genres played by company employees and business colleagues who have a passion for music outside of their day job.
The live competition will take place August 16 from 6:00 p.m. to – 9:00 p.m. on the second floor of Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery located at 50 Penn Place. Each band will have 15 minutes to perform a minimum of three songs. The bands will be judged on music, originality, on-stage presence, appearance and personality, as well as crowd applause. The winning band will receive a donation made in its name to the charity of its choice as well as the event’s traveling trophy to take back to the office.
“The Journal Record is known for our recognition programs like Woman of the Year and Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs,” said Events Manager Brittany Attaway. “We decided it was time to branch out and try something new and different with our Battle of the Corporate Bands event. There is so much local talent – many times in our own companies – that no one knows about. I love the idea of an event that showcases hidden music talent found inside the corporate sector.”
Sponsors of the event include the Oklahoma Film + Music Office and Cory’s Audio Visual. JakeFM’s Owen Pickard will emcee the event. Judges include world-renowned fiddler Kyle Dillingham; Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Deby Snodgrass; Jeff Curran, a GableGotwals attorney who is a member of The Wise Guys band; Mike Turner, account executive with Cory’s Audio Visual and member of the Groove Merchants band; and Journal Record Capitol reporter Catherine Sweeney.
“It’s exciting to see how many Oklahoma businesses are participating in the Journal Record’s Corporate Battle of the Bands,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Deby Snodgrass. “This evening of competitive entertainment will allow each company to showcase the musical talents of their employees. I am honored to serve as a judge.”
Participating bands and sponsoring companies are: Smooth Agents backed by Alan Bradshaw Insurance Agency Farmers Insurance, blues genre; Blue Chair Band backed by Guernsey Engineering, oldies genre; Oklahoma’s NEWS 4 backed by KFOR-TV, rock genre; Slush Fund backed by Sonic America’s Drive-In, rock genre; and Rachel Lynch & the Solution backed by Supplier Solutions, folk genre.
Tickets to attend are $25 if purchased before the event date or $30 at the event, which includes entry and a drink ticket at the door. To register for the private, nonsmoking event, go online to journalrecord.eventsmart.com/events/battleofbands, email battaway@journalrecord.com or call 405-278-2820. A full restaurant menu and bar will be available all night.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, The Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit okfilmmusic.org.