The CATS Battle of the Bands was a creation of the Youth Advisory Board of CATS and was sponsored by The Community Alliance for Teen Safety with Sully Erna, from the popular band, Godsmack (click www.godsmack.com to learn more about Godsmack).  The teens worked with Sully Erna, who gave them the inspiration and the resources to grow the event into a large-scale, multi-school activity that involved eight (8) schools in Southern New Hampshire.  High Schools students at these schools competed at two preliminary events and winners of these events competed in the Final Event held on April 23rd at Lowell Auditorium. 

The winner of the final event, Zion, received an all expense paid trip for the entire band and two chaperones to Los Angeles, CA to record a three song demo in Sully Erna’s studio, compliments of Sully.  Sully also awarded Zion a CD duplication package that included 500 CD copies, full color 6 panel insert, assembled and shrink-wrapped in jewel cases, compliments of Bruce Bennett from Superdups, a local CD duplication company located in Salem, NH (visit www.superdups.com to learn more about Superdups).

Additionally, Mr. Ernie Boch, Jr. presented 'S' with a $1,000 check and Mr. Wayne Ulaky of Canobie Lake Park presented the band members of Johnny Graves with passes to the Canobie Lake Park.

Sully presented each band with a framed certificate and Superdups has generously awarded each band a $100.00 certificate good towards the purchase of CD duplication at Superdups. 

Congratulations to the winning six bands who competed at the final event:

Zion, 1st Place; 'S', 2nd Place; Johnny Graves, 3rd Place

All Rights Reserved;  Emerse; J.P.G.

Please see the Final Event Highlights for photos of this event!

Sully Erna hosted this event with assistance from a disc jockey from WGIR.  Thanks to the following judges for helping with this event:

• Mr. Gary Cherome from Extreme and Van Halen;

• Mr. Brad Delp from Boston;

• Mr. Shannon Larkin from Godsmack;

• Mr. Wayne Ulaky from Canobie Lake Park (formerly from the band, Beacon Street Union);

• Mr. Paul Geary, manager of Godsmack and the bands Cold and Fuel.

The CATS Youth Board presented Sully with a Citation from the Town of Derry as well as a Resolution from the NH Senate recognizing Sully for his commitment and dedication in promoting the health and safety of youth in Southern New Hampshire through his generous support of CATS and the Battle of the Bands events.

Special thanks to:

• Ron Valeri, Richie Voutselas and Kevin Sheehy from Global Artist Management

• Pete Lally, Director of Marketing; Norm Noel, Operations Manager; and Tom McKay, Executive Director; of Lowell Auditorium in Lowell Mass

• Jeff Freedman and Staff at Wizard Security

• Tom Donnell and Giant Merchandise

• Cindy and Fred Bramante of Daddy’s Junky Music

• Bruce Bennett and Staff at Superdups

• Greg of the Morning Buzz from WGIR

• Main Events of Londonderry for videotaping the Final Event

• Ernie Boch, Jr

• Robert Breton of Windham for photographing the Final Event

• For expertise in stage, sound and lighting - Scott Tkachuk and Jib Clark of Rainbow Production Services as well as Moe Hale, Jim Roese, Neil Moxham and others and the many volunteers and professionals in the music industry who helped make the events a success!