Farragut band Ergo We Play competed in the School Jam USA band competition earlier this month. Ergo was selected along with seven other bands to travel to California and compete for a chance to go to Germany and win money for the school.

   The band members Alex Zimmermann, Tommy Blackburn, and Sam Travis had months to prepare, and selected to perform their songs Ladders, Props to You, and Walk the Mile.

  When the boys first arrived in LA the bands attended multiple workshops. The workshops were very helpful, and gave all the bands a chance to interact with each other.

“The workshops were about how to promote your band, how to get your name out there, and how to stay organized,” Zimmermann said.

   On the day of the competition Ergo checked in to sound check at one o’ clock p.m. and then readied themselves for the show. The show went live at five p.m. central time and was streaming live on the School Jam USA website. Each band had 20 minutes to set up, perform, and take down. Any longer would result in a deduction from their scores.

   Ergo We Play finished third in the competition and was awarded $1500 for the school. Lead singer Alex Zimmerman was also awarded best vocals out of the entire competition.

  Although Ergo We Play was unable to move on to Germany they all agreed that it was a great learning experience. Even though they didn’t win they said they met some really cool people, and have a whole new mind set on what it means to be a band.