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A Michigan High School Marching Band Is A Finalist In Metallica Competition

Author Meltdown
Members of Metallica kick off their final US show of the M72 Tour with "Whiplash", at Ford Field in Detroit on November 12, 2023.

Metallica’s FOR WHOM THE BAND TOLLS marching band competition has announced its finalists and one band from Michigan has made the cut. This contest started on April 10th, with over 450 college and high school bands signing up.

Professional judges picked the top five in each category, as you can see below. A special congrats goes to the Dewitt High School marching band who has been picked as one of the bands from the medium-high school section. Good luck to the school that sits above our state capitol, Lansing.

Collegiate: Division 1 – $75,000 in prizing:Auburn UniversityFresno State UniversityIowa State UniversityUniversity of IowaUniversity of Texas at AustinCollegiate: Division 2, 3 – $40,000 in prizing:Blinn CollegeEastern New Mexico UniversityManchester University West Texas A&M UniversityWestern Illinois UniversityHigh School: Small, Medium & Large – $15,000 each in prizing:

Small High School:Cleveland High School – Cleveland, ALEdinburg High School – Edinburg, TXOakton High School – Vienna, VAOologah High School – Oologah, OKValhalla High School – El Cajon, CA

Medium High School:Boerne High School – Boerne, TXDesert Mountain High School – Scottsdale, AZDeWitt High School – DeWitt, MIKell High School – Kennesaw, GAMalverne High School – Malverne, NY

Large High School:Austin High School – Sugarland, TXDobyns-Bennett High School – Kingsport, TNLambert High School – Suwanee, GALorena High School – Lorena, TXPell City High School – Pell City, AL

According to the press release, the members of Metallica will select the winners in each of the above categories at a date to be determined in early January.  There are also a couple of Fan Favorite categories as well.

Good luck to all the bands!

The Weekend Wrap Up With Metallica In Detroit

I know this past weekend was going to crush, but it CRUSHED! Metallica at Ford Field was everything I had hoped for and more.

For me, the surprise of the weekend was how much I really enjoyed Pantera. Just to hear Phil Anselmo’s voice yelling out those classic songs was something I’d forgotten about. Just classic! Zakk and the band nailed it! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as everyone who has seen them play has told me how good they were.

The biggest rush I got was seeing Metallica take the stage for the first time. It’s no secret I’m a huge fan and even use “The Ecstasy Of Gold” intro when I come on the air every day, so seeing that live never gets old. The stage, the way they took it, the banter after on it after half the crowd had piled out, was all original and all Metallica.

My weekend started by interviewing bassist Robert Trujillo for a two-part conversation. That went very well, as I knew it would. Robert’s a solid guy and an awesome player! I guess I was most intrigued to find out how much Motown music played in his early musical formation. You can go to my page to see both conversations.

It was also cool to spend some time with drummer, Charlie Benante. I’d never really met him before, although I’ve been around him. I found him very nice. He’s somewhat quiet, but a pleasure to hang out with and a legit music fan. He really enjoyed the museum.

A huge Thank You goes out to all the WRIF listeners who stopped by my broadcast Friday night to check in with me. It was non-stop, and I appreciate you guys. Even when I wasn’t “working” at the show on Sunday, I was constantly stopped by you guys to say Hello…Thank You! Also, a shout to my friends from The Struggle Within Michigan. Hit them up, follow their socials, and let’s grow this chapter to one of the biggest in the country!

Pictures from Friday’s show can be found here. Sunday’s show can be found here.

Ok, time to rest……just kidding!

Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history. Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
Meltdown

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