University Students, Band Members Win Ziegfest ‘Battle of the Bands,” Earn Spot to Open Music Festival

Posted November 5, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – University student Adam Hollaway and former University student Jake Ward, and their band, The Elise, won the 2013 Ziegfest Battle of the Bands, which earned them a spot to open the 11th annual Ziegfest music festival held October 25 at Whataburger Field in downtown Corpus Christi.

The process was long and the competition was tight, but Hollaway, drummer; Ward, lead singer; Derek Galvan, bass player; and Paul Teltschik, lead guitarist, edged above competitors to claim the title of 2013 Ziegfest Battle of the Bands champions.

“Winning the contest and getting to play at Ziegfest was a crazy experience,” said Ward. “We are all really blessed to have gotten the opportunity and are so thankful for it.”

The first-phase of the competition included approximately 20 bands that had to promote themselves using social media to accumulate as many online votes as possible. The four bands with the highest number of votes were invited to play at the second-phase, a 30-minute set at the 2013 Battle of the Bands at Brewster Street Ice House, on October 2.

During the Ziegfest music festival, The Elise opened ahead of Kevin Fowler, the Casey Donahew Band, Reckless Kelly and Uncle Lucius; all notable figures in Texas country music. You can follow The Elise on Facebook to get information on upcoming shows and appearances.

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Russell Wagner

My name is Russell Wagner and I am the Executive Director of Alumni Relations for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I am originally from the small town of Shiner, Texas and began attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Fall 2004. During my time as a student I was a volunteer tour guide and worked for the Island Waves Student Newspaper. I proudly earned my degree in Media Communication and received a minor in Public Relations in 2008 graduating Summa Cum Laude. I joined the University on a professional level immediately after graduation as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter. I joined the Division of Institutional Advancement in Fall 2012 as an Alumni & Development Officer for the College of Liberal Arts. I was appointed to Director of Engagement in June 2015. As Director of Engagement, I oversee and implement the University’s alumni relations and engagement efforts with the community to create financial, personnel, and athletic support for the Island University. I also act as the Executive Director of the National Islander Alumni Association, Executive Director of the Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend, and oversee the Student Foundation Association, a student philanthropy group at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I reside in Corpus Christi with my wife, Kelsey. She is an also an alumnae from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s outstanding College of Nursing & Health Sciences Nursing program. She currently works as a Registered Nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. In our spare time we enjoy the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and taking in the unique events that the Coastal Bend has to offer.