WKMS presents Big Atomic as the winner of the second annual Battle of the Bands competition. The band was one of four finalists voted by WKMS listeners to perform at the Battle of the Bands finale on Thursday, March 27. The other three finalists were Red Ember, Leonard the Band and the Drunken Poets, all regional bands.
Finalists each played three original songs in front of a sold-out crowd. The audience then casted votes to select the winner. With Red Ember as runner-up, Big Atomic was named the Battle of the Bands Champion.
They’ll receive the Grand Prize “Promotion Package” valued at over $3,000, including on-air spots on WKMS to promote upcoming shows, a full (1) year slide at Maiden Alley Cinema promoting the band, a Live Lunch slot on WKMS midday program Sounds Good, and an opportunity to perform as a headliner at future “Music at MAC” event or band CD release party.
Ryan Gilchrist, lead vocalist and guitarist for Big Atomic, describes the performance as less a competition than “a showcase of great musicianship throughout the region.”
Big Atomic is a jam/funk/rock band from Murray with members Morgan McCall on drums, Andrew Stephens on bass, Ryan Gilchrist on vocals/guitar, Micah Greene on guitar/vocals, Matt Robinson on auxiliary percussion and Shannon Veter on saxophone.
WKMS supports local musicians, providing a conduit for their unique voice to reach listeners across the region. Morgan McCall, drummer for Big Atomic, tells us, “I think it’s awesome that WKMS strives to support local music. I think public radio is one of the few avenues that small, independent bands have out there. And without radio stations like WKMS it would be incredibly difficult for you to get your music out there for people to hear.”
Gilchrist tells us, “WKMS has Sounds Good, highlighting a bunch of artists in the region, and I think that’s a huge asset. Not a lot of people have that hand reaching out to the them, reaching out to local musicians and wanting to give them that push, to bring out new music and have people listen.”
Listeners can hear Big Atomic on Sounds Good soon as well as other local musicians on air at 91.3 WKMS-FM and WKMS HD-1; 90.9 WKMD Madisonville, and 89.5 WKMT, as well as online at wkms.org.
