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Battle of the Bands 2015: Congratulations BIG ATOMIC!

Updated March 27: Congratulations BIG ATOMIC!

What a great night at Maiden Alley Cinema. Four incredible sets by finalists: Big Atomic, Red Ember, The Drunken Poets and Leonard the Band. The votes were close, but Big Atomic pulled ahead for the win. Thank you to everyone who came out to the finals, to everyone who voted in the semi-finals, to the bands who participated, to Maiden Alley Cinema and MSU Digital Media Services. 

We've tallied up hundreds of votes and are thrilled to announce the finalists for this year's WKMS Battle of the Bands competition, which will be LIVE at Maiden Alley Cinema in Paducah on March 26 at 7 p.m. The live audience will determine the grand-prize winner.

Congratulations to the Finalists!

Credit Courtesy of Big Atomic

Big Atomic

A jam/funk/rock band from Murray

Morgan McCall: Drums
Andrew Stephens: Bass
Ryan Gilchrist: Vocals/Guitar
Micah Greene: Guitar/Vocals
Matt Robinson: Aux. Percussion
Shannon Vetter: Sax

Big Atomic on Facebook

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Credit Courtesy of The Drunken Poets

The Drunken Poets

A collective of western Kentucky musicians

Steven Green
David Dick
Kyle Robertson
Ellen Adkisson
Morgan McCall
Micah Greene
Josh Coffey
Gregory "Cookie" Simpson

The Drunken Poets on Facebook

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Credit Courtesy of Leonard the Band

Leonard The Band

An eclectic band hailing from Metropolis, Illinois

Brian Rader: Vocals/Guitar
Adam Rader: Bass
Tootsie Rose: Drums
Zack Winding: Piano/Organ

Leonard the Band on Facebook

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Credit Courtesy of Red Ember

Red Ember

Paducah-based folk/indie band

Brad Hammack: Bass
Alex Riley: Acoustic Guitar/Vox
Justin Doss: Mandolin/Banjo
Alex Coltharp: Banjo/Mandolin/Vox
Derek Yarbrough: Electric Guitar/Vox
Foster Stacy: Keys/Percussion/Vox

Red Ember on Facebook

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Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists:

  • tommy & the ohs - "Boomtown"
  • Leonard The Band - "Pavement Options"
  • The Drunken Poets - "Kick The Doors Down"
  • Red Ember - "Anna Lee"
  • Big Atomic - "Letting Go"
  • Coopertheband - "Kings"
  • Kentucky Vultures - "Palomar"
  • Cocoonitude - "Sunmarine"

A special thanks to the 34 bands and songwriters who submitted an entry in this year's competition. We wish all of you the best of luck and hope you enter our next competition.
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The Grand Prize: A Promotion Package valued at over $3,000!

  • The opportunity to play a Live Lunch on the WKMS midday program, Sounds Good
  • Introduce the region to your music and your band, as well as promoting upcoming shows and projects
  • 75 underwriting spots on WKMS to use to promote upcoming shows, CD releases, etc. throughout 2015
  • A spotlight on the band at wkms.org and in other publicity materials
  • A full (1) year slide at Maiden Alley Cinema promoting your band
  • The opportunity to perform as a headliner at future Music at MAC event or CD release party
Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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