THE JUDGES
Jen behm
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WYSE FAMILY FOUNDATION
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Jen Behm is the Executive Director for the Wyse Family Foundation. She also serves on various local boards, including the Levitt Pavilion Dayton Board of Trustees.
KHRYS BLANK
SINGER, SONGWRITER, PERCUSSIONIST
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Khrys has been a staple in the Dayton music community! She is currently performing in Solistic, Heather Redman & The Reputation, and performs solo, as well as the local Last Waltz and This Must Be the Party tribute shows. She's also one of the organizers of the Mardi Gras Threauxdown. This talented multi-instrumentalist is excited to be part of the Dayton Battle of the Bands
Sabrina cox
OWNER-OPERATOR, HAUS OF SEQUINS
Sabrina Cox adds a Dolly Parton sparkle to Dayton, Ohio! She is an all-star creative entrepreneur and the owner / fashionista at Haus of Sequins, a retail art and fashion studio. Sabrina also is one of downtown's most influential tastemakers, advocates, and all-around fabulous human being!
billi ewing
SINGER / ADVOCATE
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Hailed as one of Dayton’s true musical gems, Billi Ewing has appeared on stages all over the region and beyond. One of her proudest moments came in 1999 when she released her self-titled debut album “Billi Nicol". Eight years ago, she added "survivor" to her list of accomplishments. She’s become an advocate for the University of Cincinnati’s Neuroscience Institute, changing the face of brain tumors. Using her gift of song as a tool to raise awareness, she was the featured vocalist at the Mayfield Foundation’s “Art & Science of Healing” annual event and sang the National Anthem at the Walk Ahead for a Brain Tumor Cure 5K.
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gina Ferraro
RADIO HOST, NEW COUNTRY 103.9 WZDA
Gina started working in radio & TV in 2003 after graduating from Wright State University. Her radio career started here in Dayton, then took her to Chicago and Cincinnati, and is now back in Dayton hosting mid-days on New Country 103.9. She grew up listening to country music with her mom, and continues to be enthusiastic about the genre. She loves going to shows and seeing live music. Gina is also an actress, podcaster, painter, and writer. This is her first time participating in the Dayton Battle of the Bands!
juliet fromholt
MUSIC DIRECTOR, WYSO 91.3 FM
Juliet Fromholt is proud to be music director at 91.3FM WYSO, Southwest Ohio’s public radio that serves the community with news, music and storytelling. Juliet Fromholt began volunteering at WYSO while working at WWSU, the student station at her alma mater, Wright State University. After joining the station staff in 2009, Juliet developed WYSO’s digital and social media strategy. She moved into the music director role in 2021. An avid music fan and former record store employee, Juliet continues to host her two music shows, Alpha Rhythms and Kaleidoscope,featuring studio performances from local musicians every week. She also co-hosts Attack of the Final Girls, a horror film review podcast.
Madeline hart
DIRECTOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, LEVITT PAVILION DAYTON
Madeline Hart is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Levitt Pavilion Dayton. They have their Bachelor of Science in Music Business from Murray State University and have called Dayton home for over 6 years now. They have been with the Levitt Pavilion since it opened in 2018 and love seeing people connect through the power of music. In their free time Madeline sings with the Dayton Bach Society, loves riding their bike on Dayton’s incredible bike trails, playing tabletop RPGs, and creating art.
curt Hedberg
SOUND ENGINEER & CO-OWNER, DAYTON SOUND STUDIOS
Curt Hedberg is an audio engineer extraordinaire and the owner of Dayton Sound Studios in Kettering. Dayton Sound Studios is the proud title sponsor of Dayton Battle of the Bands for two years now, and they are excited about this opportunity and partnership! Curt is also a DJ who appears at exclusive events around the Dayton area.
Valentino "tino" halton
HIP-HOP ARTIST
Cleveland, Ohio, born and raised, and son of a preacher, TINO found his love for rhyming while attending college in Dayton, Ohio. Since 2012, TINO has performed hundreds of shows across multiple states, opening for Talib Kweli, Del The Funky Homosapien, Cappadonna, and more as a solo artist, a member of the band Sidekick Complex, and half of hip hop duo Safe Money. He has released numerous projects both locally and internationally, with his latest release, “La Pa Bavarde,” - a collaboration with French producer DJ Martin. TINO, an 80s baby, has a unique style that blends the Golden Era of hip-hop with modern elements, bridging the gap between the old and new school.
REGINALD HICKS, JR.
HIP-HOP ARTIST / 2023 DAYTON BATTLE OF THE BANDS FINALIST
Reginald Hicks, Jr. “R3G” is a Christian Hip Hop artist and poet with a transparent and heartfelt message. He’s been performing for 15 years, starting as a spoken word artist then shifting to music. He’s also a father, a preschool teacher, and a youth pastor. He’s performed nationally and has hit the Christian music billboard twice. His music has been touching lives worldwide, and can be found streaming on all platforms. R3G is last year's Dayton Battle of the Bands Hip Hop Finalist.
jamy Holliday
SINGER & GUITARIST
Jamy Holliday is a legendary Dayton musician, known for rockin' out in bands including Haunting Souls, Luxury Pushers, and Mystery Addicts. He was also a staple at Canal Street Tavern, the beloved stomping grounds for musicians in Downtown Dayton for decades. Jamy has also been a great friend and partner to The Brightside Music & Event Venue.
Mariah JOHNSON
SINGER-SONGWRITER
Mariah J, born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, spent her adolescent years deeply rooted in church, dance, and youth choir. She attended Stivers School for the Arts, where her focus was centered on dance and creative writing; however, her love for singing never left. While receiving her Bachelors of Science in Organizational Leadership at Wright State University in 2012-2016 she was still singing in her black campus choir. Mariah released her debut album, Unfolding, on June 24th of this year, and is now available on all streaming platforms. Mariah J is an artist disrupter who helps co-create the world we all deserve through art, culture, healing, and consciousness.
gary king
MUSICIAN / MUSIC TEACHER / SOUND ENGINEER &
CO-OWNER, DAYTON SOUND STUDIOS
Gary D King is an audio engineer, producer, musician and co-owner of Dayton Sound Studios. He studied Recording Studio Technology at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City. He toured the world with the iconic funk band, Sun (Capitol Records). He has worked with hundreds of artists and has decades of professional recording and music experience. Gary has Platinum and Gold album awards. Gary plays trombone with several Dayton area bands (including Jah Soul, Heather Redman, Nasty Bingo) After 19 years, Gary has retired from teaching the Recording Arts program at Stivers School for the Arts.
MITCH MILEY
CHIEF INSPIRATION OFFICER, VENUS CHILD PRODUCTIONS
Mitch Miley is an integral part of Venus Child Productions, the primary organizer and catalyst for the Dayton Battle of the Bands each year. His wife, Libby Ballengee, is the face of the competition, but Mitch provides valuable support and insight for all VCP events. He inspired the fan favorite show This Must Be the Party, a tribute to the Talking Heads. Mitch is a longtime music fan and an avid supporter of Dayton's local music scene.
Evan miller
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR, WYSO 91.3 FM
Evan Miller is a percussionist, lover of sound. He got his start in radio in 2012 at WWSU at Wright State University, where he was studying percussion performance. He followed through with both endeavors and eventually landed a lucrative dual career playing experimental music at home and abroad, and broadcasting those sounds to unsuspecting listeners Sunday nights on The Outside. Maintaining a connection to normal music, Evan also plays drums in bands, and hosts WYSO's weekday music show Excursions.
sophia Munoz
FOUNDER, ARTPARKD MUSIC FESTIVAL / PHOTOGRAPHER
CHRIS "POPPY" POPADAK
DRUMMER / OWNER, LITTLE MONSTER PRINTING
Chris "Poppy" Popadak is the drummer for legendary Dayton rock band Hawthorne Heights as well as The Story Changes. Between both bands, he's been on countless world tours!
With his music partner MarkMcMillon,Poppy has been a touring manager and event promoter, hosting long-running local music showcases such as HoliDayton. He is the owner of Little Monster Printing, which has been a long-running sponsor of Dayton Battle of the Bands.
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Ron rollins
ARTIST / RETIRED ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Ron Rollins is a writer, editor, poet and artist who lives in Kettering, Ohio. ​Married to Amy, he has two grown children and two grandchildren. Ron is retired from the Dayton Daily News, where he was a staple since 1986. Ron has served on the boards of several local arts, cultural and social-service organizations, including: Dayton History, FilmDayton, House of Bread, Antioch Writers Workshop​, and TEDx Dayton.
PUCCA SCOTTY
MUSICIAN & PRODUCER
Pucca Scotty is a super producer, musician, and DJ from Houston, TX. Currently, she's located in Dayton and has been making a big name for herself here for the past 3 years. She has been innovative in progressing the sound here by curating large "Artist Showcases" with various music genres. She is also an audio engineer/producer at Heartland Creative Studios, one of the hottest studios in Downtown Dayton. Pucca has been in the music industry for almost 8 years and has an eye for talent and developing artists/musicians.
Greg Simms jr
CULTURAL CONTRIBUTOR, WYSO 91.3 FM
Greg Simms Jr. is a veteran content creator and cultural expert who's worked for numerous digital publications over the years. He is currently a writing contributor to WYSO 91.3 FM. He's a resident of Greene County, but he's always aware of social-cultural events happening all over the Miami Valley.
nick testa
SINGER / SONGWRITER
Nick Testa is the singer and songwriter for Dayton's most popular party band, Nightbeast. He's also a DJ and media personality. Nick participated in Dayton's Battle of the Bands with his side project, FlashBreak. You can currently watch Nick on "We Arre Family" game show on FOX.
don thrasher
JOURNALIST / MUSICIAN
Writer and musician Don Thrasher moved with his parents and brother from small town Alabama to Dayton in the mid-70s. He has played music since the early 1980s with groups like Guided By Voices, Swearing At Motorists, and the New Creatures. He has been the drummer for Smug Brothers since 2008. Thrasher has covered music and arts since the early 1990s. He has written for media outlets such as Dayton.com, Dayton Voice, Impact Weekly, In These Times, Sponic, and Treblephonic. Last April, he celebrated 20 years as a contributing writer with the Dayton Daily News.
Lisa wagner
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEVITT PAVILION DAYTON
Lisa Wagner is the Executive Director for the Levitt Pavilion Dayton, hired in 2017 to build and lead the non-profit organization with the mission of building community through the power of music, one free concert at a time. Previously, Lisa spent 15 years working for the Victoria Theatre Association, as the Vice President of Ticketing and Hospitality. Lisa attended Miami University and she holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership for Non-Profits from the University of Pennsylvania and she completed the Senior Management Institute in a joint program with National Arts Strategies and University of Michigan.
LAURA ZELLER
OWNER & MUSIC BOOKER, OREGON EXPRESS
Laura Zeller is a life long resident of the Dayton area. She has always been a regular at local shows, national acts and music festivals. Her taste in music varies from Propain to Parliament to Patsy Cline, but Punk and Y'allternative dominate her playlist. Laura and husband, Brandon, recently became the new owners of the Oregon Express in Dayton. As avid music fans, Laura and Brandon are committed to carrying on the legacy of the OE; providing a quality venue for musical acts from a variety of genres.
KELLY MORELOCK
DRUMMER / PERCUSSIONIST
Kelly Morelock is a local drummer and percussionist who has played with numerous bands, most notably: Bongo Bay, Glee and Beak, The Danny Voris Project, Jayne Sachs Band, Paige and the Belairs, The Nicky Kay Orchestra, and Darren Callahan. Most recently, Kelly can be seen playing with Nick Kizirnis, Phil’s Big Azz Brass Band, Spill the Wine, The Kerry Smith Band, Last Call, and VCU. Kelly is a hired gun, a lifelong student of music, especially when it comes to Latin and Brazilian percussion, and a collector of odd and interesting drums.