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By Brad McEwen

ALBANY — Area music fans bore witness to several local groups’ performances on The Stage at Chehaw on Saturday, and when the dust finally settled, local country-rock favorites Gritty N Pretty emerged victorious as the 2016 winner of the Albany Battle of the Bands. From Dust to Man were selected as runners-up.

Seven acts took the stage for the second annual Battle of the Bands, vying for a $1,000 top prize package.

“The bands were out of this world,” said Amy Bacon, vice president of EGA Productions, which produces the concert. “It was an all-around great time.”

EGA Productions CEO Steve Owens agreed, saying the talent on display was noticeable to all, even the bands themselves.

“There was so much talent on site and they all encouraged each other,” said Owens. “You could clearly tell there was anticipation and excitement built up throughout the day.”

Artists who showed off their chops to the delight of the judges, organizers and crowd included, Midnight Matinee, Old Damascus, Caliber Band, Icky Hollow and the Isabellas, all of whom played three songs for the judges.

Gritty N Pretty ultimately won the judges’ hearts and took home the top prize, while runners-up From Dust to Man went home with a custom guitar by Chad Roberts, owner of Roberts Instrument Repair.

Members of Moultrie-based Gritty N Pretty, including guitarist/lead vocalist Matthew Williams, drummer/vocalist Mark Brackin, and bassist/vocalist Brian Beck, said they were elated to take the top honors.

“It was truly a magical experience for Gritty N Pretty,” said Williams. “Although I have won numerous battles in the past, I have never won one with me being an entity on the Internet. It’s a real awesome feeling.”

Williams was also impressed with the job EGA Productions did organizing the event and with the fan reaction to all the bands.

“EGA Productions has outdone themselves with their professional stage, equipment and three real, performing judges that critique your performance,” said Williams. “I have to say this was the best battle I have ever performed for, and I have been in over 10. I want to thank Steve Owens and all that are involved with EGA Productions for giving us the chance to share our talent with the area.”

Williams also praised the other bands that took part in the Battle of the Bands, adding that the experience of performing in it will no doubt be beneficial to all of them.

“We faced some very talented and experienced acts,” he said. “Winning this years battle is opening doors for us and many other bands.”

Hearing positive remarks from people like Williams was not a surprise to either Owens or Bacon, who both said they felt the event went extremely well, partly because they had learned a lot from the inaugural event in 2015.

“I think having a year under our belt really eased things,” said Bacon.

Bacon said part of the event’s success also came from the fact that, in addition to Saturday’s grand finale, which included additional performances from non-competing acts Luke Martin, Derailed and Gary Raye, Friday’s Red Carpet event was also a hit.

That event, which featuring live music from DJ Chris and Dog Head, gave artists, sponsors and fans a chance to mingle and to meet Battle of the Bands judges Kurt Baker, Sean Murphy and Gary Raye.

“We had a great time at the Red Carpet,” said Bacon of the ’80s-themed evening. “We danced the night away to ’80s music.”

The success of both the Red Carpet and the Grand Finale battle was all the more important because both events helped raise awareness of and funding for Joshua Tree, a nonprofit program inspired by Bacon’s son, Joshua Bacon. The organization provides assistance to families with special-needs children.

Even though Joshua Tree was an important beneficiary of the weekend, Bacon and Owens said the real winners were the musicians and their fans.

“That’s what it’s all about,” said Bacon. “Getting the music out there.”

This year’s event was such a success, EGA Productions has already announced it is opening preregistration for next year’s Albany Battle of the Bands, scheduled May 6.

Bands interested in registering for 2017 can contact [email protected]. Next year’s Grand Finale is scheduled for April 29.