Battle of the Bands!

KIIM-FM and Desert Diamond Casino are turning up the volume with The Battle of the Bands!

The winning band will walk away with:

• $1,500
• Opportunity to open for Easton Corbin at Desert Diamond Casino’s Diamond Center on February 28th! (for exposure only; unpaid opening gig)
• Opportunity to open the 2026 CQ Fest featuring Lady A on March 20, 2026 (for exposure only; unpaid opening gig)

If chosen as one of the nine (9) finalists, you must be available to perform on the schedule below. 

Battle of the Bands – Schedule

• Online Submission Period: November 3 – December 14
• Selection Period/Contact Finalists: December 15 -19
• Event Dates (@ Desert Diamond Casino’s Diamond Center) 
  • Semi-Finalist Event: January 15, 2026 (Doors: 7:00pm, Show: 7:30pm)
    • Billy Shaw Jr Band vs Buckshot and Bellbottoms
  • Semi-Finalist Event: January 29, 2026 (Doors: 7:00pm, Show: 7:30pm)
    • Brian Beckman Band vs The Thomas James Band
  • Semi-Finalist Event: February 5, 2026 (Doors: 7:00pm, Show: 7:30pm)
    • Alec Taylor Band vs Southern Reins Band vs “Lainey”: A Tribute to Lainey Wilson
  • Finalist Event: February 19, 2026 (Doors: 7:00pm, Show: 7:30pm)
  • Buckshot and Bellbottoms vs Brian Beckman Band vs Southern Reins Band

Sponsored By Desert Diamond Casino