Teen Bands Perform for a Cause, Cash Prize This Weekend

Want a chance to win $1,000 and make a difference?

At 6 p.m. Sunday, in Oakland Township is hosting the first of many Battle of the Bands competitions. The lineup is already set for the weekend, featuring bands such as Substone and Diacritic with students from and high schools respectively. One of the 10 bands participating, The Sub-State, features teens from Lake Orion, Stoney Creek and Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills.

Because the church has received calls from so many bands that would like to participate, organizers are planning another Battle of the Bands next week with the same prizes, and possibly many more in the future.

“Everyone has to come up with an original song that has to deal with life and hope and overcoming challenges … all those positive things,” the Rev. Dominic Russo of Oakland Christian Church said.

First, second and third place winners will win $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. Along with the teen bands, three members from the locally-based band The American Secrets, formerly known as The Victorious Secrets, will be onsite playing a number as well. The American Secrets won a FreeCreditScore.com contest in August 2010 and has become the face of the Experian Consumer Direct's national campaign.

Playing for HOPE

After a string of suicides in the recent years in Lake Orion and surrounding communities, Russo said they wanted to host an event that would inspire kids and provide a sense of HOPE (Hold On, Persuade, Empower). Likewise, he wants to show kids they can attend church and still have a riot.

“If we can save one person, that’s worth it,” he said. “Suicide is really an epidemic and we feel like we have an alternative to offer.”

Russo said his team came to the conclusion that all kids love bands and a night full of talented teen musicians performing songs that will instill hope could do some good. One of the Lake Orion band members participating in Sunday’s event was good friends with one of the more recent victims of suicide.

“The teenagers have had a huge passion for this whole thing in our church,” said Dan Cobb, who is the CEO of DBA Worldwide and attends Oakland Christian Church. “I just think it’s great that the community is coming together to do this.”

How it works

After playing two songs each, audience members will be able to text in their votes for their favorite band of the night. There will also be three judges on site who will score bands according to the lyrics, performance and audience reaction. Russo explained that the experience would be similar to American Idol.

Winning bands might have the chance to perform again this summer at a grand prize event that is still to be determined. DBA Worldwide has partnered with Oakland Christian Church and is offering the winner of the summer finale a music video shoot and free recording session.

“The pastor approached me with the idea and we came up with the grand prize,” Cobb said. “It’s exciting to be a part of something that’s making a difference.”

There is a $2 fee at the door for all attendees, which will cover the cost of expenses, including pizza and beverages.

If you would like to participate in one of the upcoming Battle of the Bands competitions contact Pastor Dominic Russo at 248 -877-5395 or Mike Maher at (810) 247-1592. For more information visit Oakland Christian Church’s website at www.occfamily.com.