How does a small, local band get a chance to perform in front of thousands of people?
Saturday night's "Battle of the Bands" at the Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village will do just that.
"These are kind of small bands trying to get their big shot," said Ashleigh Tarkington, owner of the saloon.
The top two bands will earn slots to play on the main stage at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. In addition to professional musicians and sound technicians who will be judging, audience participation will be part of the band selection, she said.
The band battle starts at 7:30 on Saturday night, with a beer garden sponsored by Budweiser, and food by Roadhouse Pizza and Wings.
On tap to play Saturday are Bluestown of B Town from Aztec; GR Rhythm of Ignacio; the Bayfield band The Transplants; Skull Theory, a metal band from Durango, and Cody and Dewarren, a classic rock group.
Each band gets a 30-minute slot, and there is no cover charge.
"It's a lot of fun, and we hope people will come support local music," Tarkington said.
