Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Battle of the Bands

It was purely by coincidence that I stumbled across a notification of a Battle of the Bands contest to be held at a local music store. 

They were looking for the top 10 local bands in 2011.  So on a “wing and a prayer” I entered WBS’s house band The Raptor Project and an original song written by Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager, called What’s the Matter.  I hoped for the best and thought that if nothing else, it could turn out to be some great exposure for The Raptor Project and for World Bird Sanctuary.

I was elated and rather surprised when I received a notification that The Raptor Project was one of the top 10 finalists and would be competing in a live Battle of the Bands contest on 10/1/11.

When the day of the contest arrived, spirits were high and we performed three songs that were painstakingly and carefully selected: Save the Future, Red River and What’s the Matter.  The band gave their all, as well as the performance of their life, despite a bad case of nerves and adrenaline.  We had an absolutely awesome time! The crowd seemed to enjoy it as well.

After our set, there was food to be had and other performances to enjoy.  It was a gorgeous day and a fantastic experience.

Sadly, we did not place in the top 3, but as the say in the “biz” – “It was an honor just to be nominated!”

The Raptor Project has two CD’s available, Save the Future and All Along the Watershed, with many songs written by our Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital staff members Roger Holloway, Director of Facilities, and Joe Hoffmann.  They have both poured years of themselves into making The Raptor Project and our Wildlife Hospital what it is today.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play drums and percussion on the latest CD titled All Along the Watershed, which WBS recorded in a professional studio located right here in St. Louis.

If you would like to hear a sample of The Raptor Project’s music, go to www.worldbirdsanctuary.org under the “Support WBS” tab and scroll down to “The Raptor Project CD’s”.  Click on a few tracks for a listen and if you like what you hear you can order copies online, or visit the Raptique Gift Shop at our Nature Center.

Proceeds from every CD sold will go directly to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital to provide care for injured wild birds of prey.

Submitted by Billie J. Baumann, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator

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