By Tracy Dietlin
Congratulations to the band 5th Town who were the winners at the fourth preliminary competition of the CV Music Showcase held last Sunday at The Hood Bar & Pizza. Band members include Chelsea Sugarbritches (vocals) Linda Lemke Heinz (vocals, flute), Josh Heinz (rhythm guitar), Martin Barrera (lead guitar), Jeff Mazur (bass) and Troy Whitford (drums).
The other four bands that competed in the Showcase included Razor J & The Blades, Avenida, Black Water Gospel and Instigator.
The judges for the event were Amy Donegan, Julie Montante, producer Cameron Chaney and musician/producer Michael Sembello who had a top hit with song “Maniac” from the movie Flashdance. The judges were impressed with the strong vocal harmonies that 5th Town delivered along with their songwriting, with Sembello commenting that the band’s song “Pretty” was a radio hit for sure.
Because the February Showcase had to be cancelled there was a fifth spot to fill going to the Finals. That was determined by taking all of the scores from the bands who competed in the three previous preliminary showcases along with the other four bands from Sunday night and giving the band with the overall highest score the fifth seat, which went to the metal band Instigator comprised of Mark Wadlund (lead guitar), Jaxon Fischer (rhythm guitar), Garrison Calkins (bass) and Joseph Snodgrass Boomer (drums). Members of the band are still in high school but performed an amazing set wowing both the judges and the crowd.
Also this year we decided to do a wild card pick giving a sixth band a spot in the Finals. The next highest score of all the showcases went to another band from that night, Blackwater Gospel, comprised of Lance Riebsomer (vocals & guitar), David Morales (lead guitar), Alex Maestas (drums) and Dan Wheat (bass).
The winners, 5th Town, won $200.00 and will move on to the Finals on Saturday, April 7, also at The Hood, to compete for $1500.00 cash, a merch package, and a one song recording with award winning producer Ronnie King. 5th Town will compete in the Finals with Instigator, Black Water Gospel, Drop Mob, Sunday Funeral and The Bermuda.
A big thank you to Brad Guth and Eddie Pizarro, owners of The Hood, for hosting the CV Music Showcase at their venue for the second year.
