Friday Night Battle, June 15:

1. Cosmic Two and Friends (Highland Park HS)
2. Footsie with Suzie (Lake Forest HS)
3. October Road (Highland Park, Deerfield, Gurnee, Waukegan, Lake Bluff) ***WINNER***
4. Saber (Lake Forest HS) *WITHDREW*

Friday Night Battle, June 22:

1. 50 Below (New Trier HS)
2. The New Originals (Highland Park HS, New Trier HS, Grayslake HS) ***WINNER***
3. The Prophets (Highland Park HS)
4. The Ska-lers (Glenbrook North HS, Stevenson HS) **WILDCARD**

Friday Night Battle, June 29:

1. JKZ (Highland Park HS) ***WINNER*** – JKZ was our 2011 Grand Champion Band
2. The Kick-Brass Band (Highland Park HS, Deerfield, HS)
3. Midnight in Montana (Highland Park HS) **WILDCARD**
4. Wymsical (Lake Forest HS) *WITHDREW*

After a grueling three-hour deliberation, including a thorough review of thirty 2012 judging forms, we have our two Wilcard Bands! It was *not* an easy choice this year. As such, we decided to pick two Standby Bands for the 4th of July. While we have never had a band cancellation on the 4th (*knock on wood*), it's better to be safe than sorry. So many bands this year are worthy of playing at the 4th. Sadly... only two additional bands could be picked. The official 2012 Lineup is:

Semi-Finals, July 4:

Please note: Bands are not listed in performance order. That will be determined prior to the 4th of July and emailed to bands.

1. October Road (Winner – Friday, June 15 Battle)
2. The New Originals (Winner – Friday, June 22 Battle)
3. JKZ (Winner – Friday, June 29 Battle)
4. The Ska-lers (Wildcard Band from Friday, June 22 Battle)
5. Midnight in Montana (Wildcard Band from Friday, June 29 Battle)

Also please note: One drum kit will be used by all bands on the 4th to facilitate fast turnaround between bands. Bitter Jester will put the five drummers in touch with each other prior to the 4th.

July 4 Standby Bands:

Standby Bands will be called in order if we have a cancellation or withdrawal by a band on the 4th of July.

1. Footsie with Suzie (Standby Band #1)
2. Quantum Entanglement (Standby Band #2)

Finals, July 4:

Finalists are chosen by the judges, who narrow the five semi-finalist bands down to two finalists.

1. Finalist #1: JKZ (judge's pick)
2. Finalist #2: Midnight in Montana (judge's pick)

Winners, July 4:

The Grand Champion is chosen by the audience via applause and cheering using the Official Bluegrass Decibel Meter!

1. Grand Champion: Midnight in Montana
2. Runner-Up: JKZ