Pluto's Ladder Wins Battle Of The Bands; Troubadours Take Second
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Nine WCHS bands tried out for the Battle of the Bands.
Five were chosen, but only one took home $500 for first place.
Pluto's Ladder claimed first place Tuesday night at Warsaw Community High School's annual event.
It was the second consecutive Battle of the Bands win for Pluto's Ladder, having won it in 2007. Pluto's Ladder includes Andrew Morris and Jared Highlen on bass and guitars, and Thomas Friddle on drums. Friddle and Highlen are new to the band this year.
Performing music by B.B. King, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and three of their own originals, Pluto's Ladder received 145 votes for first place. With the win, the three-member band will split $500.
Each ticket purchased by a member of the audience counted as a vote. Votes had to be cast before the end of the last song by the last band.
Second place received $200. With 93 votes, The Troubadours earned the $200. The Troubadours includes students on drums, two saxophones, a trumpet, bass guitar, guitar and a trombone.
Winning the best soloist award a night before his 15th birthday was Curtis George. George played the drums for two bands - Beyond the Puppet and A Cookie, A Monster, A Sailboat. George is a member of the WCHS band, and said he has been playing drums for three to four years.
The 2007 best soloist winner was Andrew Morris.
The five bands competing in the Battle of the Bands this year were The Televisions, Pluto's Ladder, The Troubadours; A Cookie, A Monster, A Sailboat; and Beyond the Puppet. The competition was held at the WCHS Performing Arts Center. The band contest is a fundraiser for WCHS's film club.
