An Oliver band is getting ready to play its heart out in a music competition, and it’s hoping for a little fan support.
Cowboy rock band Wined it Up has been invited to compete in “Off The Charts” at the Barking Parrot in Penticton. The band’s first stint on stage is March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
“We would just like to get as many locals out as we can (to cheer us on),” said lead vocalist Mikie Spillett.
She is joined by band members Ken Repkow, Jim Ruhland and Ed Dukes, who formed the band two years ago. They released their first album (Small Town Talk) last year, with several tracks that reflect life in small town Oliver.
Spillett said they were “just tickled” to enter the competition. “We’re up for the challenge and feel very confident.”
She noted the band will be playing all of its original songs in a collaboration reminiscent of 1980s rockers Oasis and Heart, with a mix of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
Off the Charts began on February 19 and offers five weeks of music from bands from all over the Okanagan.
The competition has 12 bands vying to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes, including: a new guitar, a full marketing package, recording time with BiG Audio Productions, an amp, and a photo shoot.
In addition, 11 community/university radio stations across Canada have guaranteed play of the winning band’s track and/or to deliver it to relevant DJs to play the track at their discretion. This includes local community radio station Peach City Radio that wants all entries to submit digital tracks to add to its music library.
Music lovers will hear classic rock, alternative, metal and “space rock.”
Penticton has three entries in the competition – Silent Alarm, Cosmic Brew and TR2 are out to prove that local music is alive and kicking.
Event organizer David MacCoubrey says, “I am very happy with the quality of talent in the contest. I was hoping for more local bands to come out, but the bands that have entered from Penticton know how to rock. I am hoping to see a Penticton band in the finals.”
Fans will have a chance to vote for their favourite artist. It will cost $2 per vote. The band with the most votes will get all of the cash paid out each round.
The People’s Choice will factor into the judge’s decision.
Attendees can also win prizes just for coming to watch the event.
“I hope that the community, in general, will make it out to cheer on the bands,” MacCoubrey said.
Dates for the competition are February 26, March 11, and March 19, with the finals on March 26.
For more information go to: http://offthechartspenticton.com/ or become a fan on Facebook.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
