LIHU‘E — Tommy Patch is no stranger to Kaua‘i’s stages. As a participant in Kaua‘i Superstars, the 2007 Kapa‘a High School graduate advanced far into the competition. Now Patch combines his talent with that of Chad Padilla, a Waimea High
LIHU‘E — Tommy Patch is no stranger to Kaua‘i’s stages. As a participant in Kaua‘i Superstars, the 2007 Kapa‘a High School graduate advanced far into the competition.
Now Patch combines his talent with that of Chad Padilla, a Waimea High School sophomore, to form Tommy Patch & MC Chad after the pair met last March during a talent show at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
The duo will be participating in the first-ever Band Champ competition, a music band talent search, tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. at the convention hall. Joining them will be four rap and reggae bands from Waimea and Kapa‘a high schools in the semifinal competition to find out which Kaua‘i group will represent the island during the Band Champ finale on O‘ahu, Mar. 21 at Pipeline Cafe.
That event will be taped and televised on KHON-TV, Mar. 25 starting at 9 p.m. During the airing of the televised final, viewers can vote online at www.bandchamp.com
The winning band will win $5,000, a recording contract for a single, an opportunity to open for a Tom Moffatt concert and Mobi PCS phones and one year of service.
Ten Feet, one of the state’s hottest bands, will headline the semifinal event with several hit songs from the group’s latest album “Everyday.” Ten Feet won Na Hoku Hanohano’s “Island Contemporary Album of the Year” award for its album “Island Feeling.”
Tickets can be purchased from Kmart, Kaua‘i Music & Sound, Jack Wada Electronics and Hanalei Surf for $10. Customers at Burger King purchasing a Value Meal can receive a $5 voucher to redeem at the ticket locations. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Patch started writing lyrics at 10 years old, and by 15 performed before a packed house at a Maui night spot.
Currently, Patch deejays every other Thursday on Kaua‘i Community Radio and continues to pursue his passion for song writing.
During the talent competition where he met Padilla, he finished third, but is looking beyond that for Band Champ.
“Winning Band Champ would be a great accomplishment for both us knowing we’re going up against Hawai‘i’s best bands,” Patch said. “If we win, I’d like to develop an album and pursue music as a full-time career. Actually, I’d be most proud to see Chad succeed alongside me.”
Roots Deep, 2nd Nature and Sixth Sense are the bands from Waimea High School with D.J. Yaris, a senior, playing a combination of drums, bass and providing backup vocals.
“Band Champ is a win-win for both Hawai‘i’s youth and anyone who loves live music,” said Tom Moffatt, President of A Tom Moffatt Production, coordinator of the Friday night event. “Young bands in Hawai‘i deserve a vehicle to express their musical creativity and each island gets to perform live on stage for all their friends and family.”
A Tom Moffatt Production has worked with legendary performers over the past 50 years, including performers like Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley.
For more information about the dates and times for each island’s semifinal as well as to check out the Band Champ contestants, visit www.bandchamp.com
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
