Thank You For Being A Friend BOTB Showdown
I wanted this showdown to reflect thanksgiving and what better way to do this then to say Thank You For Being A Friend. Andrew Gold is the singer/songwriter of this 1978 US Billboard Hot 100 hit as many of you know and later on Cynthia Fee covered it for the 80s sitcom The Golden Girls. In today’s battle, I’m using female cover artist and I hope you’ll lend your ear to pick your favorite.
Alyssa Bonagura is an American singer, songwriter, and producer whose been singing since she was two spent her life growing up on a tour bus with her musical parents, Michael Bonagura and Kathie Ballie of Baillie & the Boys. At the age of 10, Alyssa recorded a duet with the legendary Kenny Rogers. Let’s give it up for this Tennessee gal, Alyssa Bonagura!
The next act is a multi-genre band from Massachusetts. The founding members Rachael Price (vocals), Bridget Kearney (bass), Michael Calabrese (drums) and keyboardist/vocalist Akie Bermiss formed in 2004 at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston while studying jazz. The group has headlining tours across the country and have shared the stage with Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow. Kindly hit play to list to Lake Street Dive!
The third contender in today’s battle is an Canadian actress and is best known for her role in Being Human. That’s a series waiting on our watch-list. Anywho, I didn’t know that this gal’s real gig is acting but it turns out she can sing and I really enjoyed her cover. Give your attention to the lovely Angela Galuppo!
My final pick is a country singer with a bit of edge in her voice. The Pennsylvania coal country born and small town raised is a true all American girl cheerleader and home-coming queen. In her early years she got her music start in her family’s praise & worship band. This gal has entertained our troops in the Persian Gulf and opened for the late Loretta Lynn. Let me introduce to you, Brynn Marie!
Polls close at noon (ET) on Nov. 21!
That concludes another segment of Battle of the Bands. Next week, I’ll publish the results of this showdown. Don’t forget to leave your vote for your favorite artist in comments.
Please check out the other battles underway today. Participants are listed in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner. This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day! X💋X💋, Cathy
21 Comments
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Stephen T. McCarthy
HiYa, CAThy! ~
Ooh! I almost missed this nice Battle. I’ve had a lot of stuff going on (none of it good). But thankfully I remembered BOTB in the nick of time.
I thought all of the versions were pert goot, but I’m casting my vote for Alyssa Bonagura. I liked her simplicity and very upbeat warmth. She really sounded like she meant every word she sang.
And, CAThy, I wanna thank you too for being a friend to me!
May you and yourn have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, and I’ll catch up with ya again during the December 1st round of Battle Of The Bands.
~ D-FensDogG
Cathy Kennedy
Stephen,
I’m happy you found time to cast your vote. I hate to read that things aren’t going too well for you at the moment. I hope whatever you’re facing calms down with everything being okay for you. I have your vote logged for Alyssa Bongura, my friend. I hope you have blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I’ll see ya for the December 1st battle, my friend.
Debbie D.
Wow – four completely diverse choices! And they all had something going for them, so it was a difficult choice. At first, I thought Lake Street, but Bryan’s gritty vocals and upbeat arrangement won me over. 🙂
diedre Knight
Perfect song choice, Cathy! I was almost sold on Lake Street until I heard Brynn Marie’s rendition which I think is a smooth blend of upbeat and heart-felt without the country twang I kind of expected. A vote for Brynn Marie from me 😉
Cathy Kennedy
Diedre,
Brynn steals a second heart. Thanks for voting, my friend!
Eugi
Lake Street has my vote, Cathy. Have a great day.
Cathy Kennedy
Hey Eugi,
I appreciate you coming by to vote in my mid-month battle. I have you recorded for Lake Street Diva!
Eugi
Thank you, Cathy.
The Brian's Home Gang
I gotta agree with Lake Street.
Cathy Kennedy
Thanks for stopping by to vote. I have you down for LAKE STREET DIVA, my friend!
messymimi's meanderings
Alyssa Bonagura. The others are excellent as well, to me, though, she made it sound as though she really meant it.
Cathy Kennedy
Mimi,
Thanks for joining the fun. Alyssa gets a second vote! 🙂
Arlee Bird
For me this is a kind of annoying song. I don’t really like it much so listening to four versions was tortuous overkill. If Alyssa is from TN then I’ll give her my vote. She did a nice version of a rather unimpressive song.
Lee
Cathy Kennedy
Lee,
Yikes, I’m sorry for putting you through such a painful battle. I do appreciate you soldiering on to pick a favorite from four female contenders. Alyssa gets her first vote!
John Holton
It was kind of a tie between Alyssa and Brynn, but Brynn carries this one. I liked the treatment Alyssa gave, but her voice wasn’t as good or as strong as Brynn’s.
Cathy Kennedy
John,
Brynn gets her first vote in this battle round!
Sandee
Lake Street has my vote.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week, Cathy. Hugs. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Another vote for LAKE STREE DIVA!
Thanks for voting, Sandee!! Have a wonderful week!
Birgit Bedesky
Wow…4…this is a great song. Even though they can polish up their recordings which is practice and time, I am voting for Lake Street. They are very talented a.d kept my attention. The next would be the last one. This country gal cam belt out a tune. The 3rd is your first puck who did a great job which leaves the Canuck lady. Her rendition is too syrupy for me.
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
I had forgotten I put up four contenders in this round. Yeah, my mind is THAT loopy! It’s been such a flurry of going ons here that I just can’t keep up with much these days. I thank you for patiently listening to all of the ladies. They’re all quite different in my opinion, don’t you agree? I enjoyed them all, though.
Thanks for voting for LAKE STREET DIVE!