Travis Feutz and his band claimed the round two title March 10 in the inaugural Bands Battle 4 the Badges music competition, which started March 3 at The Bridge and benefits SafetyNet of Missouri.
Travis Feutz delivered his original storytelling blend of country, Americana and folk music to the audience. The band went up against Griff and Greens and Collin County Steel and Wire during week two of the month-long contest and will advance to the finals March 31. For more information, visit Facebook.com/pg/TravisFeutzMusic or soundcloud.com/travis-feutz.
Another finalist will be named among week three's three band competitors Saturday. Richard Parker is a five-piece high-energy rock band from Columbia that moves audiences with its original brand of rock, an independent single "Stop the World" released in November and the band's debut EP set to be released this year. Local band Plain & Simple prides themselves on delivering original songs live and on albums with an original sound derived from real life experiences - addiction, troubled times, relationships and life. Led by the melodic vocal and guitar styles of John Galbraith, the John Galbraith Trio, JG3, also has released original rock that showcases the raw talent of the group's frontman, bassist Nic Gotham and drummer Joey Crifo.
At each event, members of the public can vote for their favorite along with two celebrity judges based on performance, audience reaction and overall energy. After Saturday, one more preliminary Bands Battle 4 the Badges competition with three different bands will take place March 24. The four preliminary finalists will face off in the last competition March 31, with one band claiming the 2018 Bands Battle 4 the Badges championship title.
REO Feedwagaon will be on site to sell food to guests, who can enter to win a variety of weekly prize drawings and a 50/50 prize drawing starting at 5 p.m. each Saturday. Theo's Midtown, Paddy Malone's, Gumbo Bottoms Ale House, Spectators, Shrunken Head Tropic Lounge, Goodrich Quality Theaters, Pita Pit and others have contributed to those drawings.
Doors open at noon Saturday with performances beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15, with all proceeds benefiting SafetyNet.
Operating since 2012, SafetyNet of Missouri has generated resources to support families of fallen heroes in Boone and Cole counties. For more information, visit safetynetmo.org.
Keep up with Bands Battle 4 the Badges, its finalists and the big finale each week on NewsTribune.com.