One Top Group Scheduled to Perform at the Andersons 26th Annual Northwest Rib Off in August

Over 145 bands, duos and solo acts competed in the second annual Blade Battle of the Bands. After a month of online voting by the general public, thirteen emerged as favorites to compete live at Red, White, KABOOM on the downtown Toledo riverfront during the Independence Day weekend celebration. Now The Blade announces four have finished on top. A panel of judges and area fans have given the following performers bragging rights for 2009.

In the Country category, George Damron & Buffalo Ridge were the pre-eminent crowd pleasers. Among solo and duo acts, Crystal Bowersox emerged on top. The R&B category saw BUCK69 take home first place honors. And in the ever popular Pop/Rock category, in theory rocketed to the forefront.

Next stop? For in theory, it may be as the opening act for Foreigner at the Andersons 26th Annual Northwest Ohio Rib Off, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 6, 7, 8 and 9, at the Lucas County Fairgrounds, 1406 Key Street in Maumee, Ohio.

This year, the Rib Off’s Thursday night concert will showcase “Old Skool” Motown band Touch and an opening Motown act yet to be announced. Friday night will feature national country stars Luke Bryan and Tracy Lawrence. And Saturday will rock to the energy of Foreigner. If the Battle of the Bands audition tape presented by in theory passes muster with agents for Foreigner, the local group will perform live before the area’s largest audiences on Saturday night.

Seating for all three concerts is limited, so pre-purchasing Rib Off tickets is advised. General admission is $5 for Thursday, and $8 for Friday or Saturday. Advance tickets are available at any area Andersons or online at nwohioriboff.com.

Optional front-of-stage seating tickets are also offered for $25 per person on Friday and Saturday.   Thursday evening’s Touch concert includes a half-slab rib dinner and seating in the VIP Tent for $25.00 per person. Tickets for this package can only be purchased at area Harley Davidson outlets. Front of Stage seating for the Bryan/Lawrence and Foreigner concerts Friday and Saturday are also $25 per person.  The seating is directly in front of the stage and only a limited number of these seats are available; so fans interested in being “up close and personal” should make their purchase as soon as possible online at nwohioriboff.com.  One lucky winner will be chosen from those purchasing front of stage seating to meet the national act.

Hours for The Andersons Rib Off are Thursday, 3:00-10:00 pm; Friday, 3:00–11:00 pm; Saturday, noon–11:00 pm; and Sunday, noon–6:00 pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Make a Wish foundation and other local charities.

For more information, contact Lora Koralewski at 419-215-6812, visit the website at nwohioriboff.com, or email us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it