Through the Fall is a Chilton County based band starting to receive some national recognition.

In summer 2009, the band won the first round of Gorilla Music’s Battle of the Bands, advancing them to the regional finals. In the fall, they clenched the win by a landslide, securing them a spot in the online national semi-finals.

Within the first full month of voting, the band had received enough online votes to be locked in as a finalist. As of Thursday morning, they found themselves in the lead and nearing 3,000 votes.

“I’m excited,” said guitarist and vocalist Jud Wyatt. “We’ve worked real hard to get this far. Actually seeing that it might pay off is great, outstanding. Everyone’s ecstatic about it.”

The band’s lineup includes Wyatt, drummer Doug Vironet, guitarist Tony Esposite, bassist and vocalist Bobby Nelson and lead vocalist Brad Hubbard.

They are now competing against the top 100 bands in the country. Within the first week alone, they shot to the top, garnering more than 2,000 votes. Voting began Feb. 1 and will continue through Feb. 28.

On March 1, Gorilla Music will begin the interview process with the top 10 bands.

Two bands will be chosen to receive the grand prize based on various criteria determined by Rock X Records.

Gorilla Music and Rock X Records are based out of Cleveland, Ohio.

“Everyone’s crossing their fingers and hoping and waiting,” Wyatt said, encouraging locals to go online and vote for their favorite band.

Through the Fall’s music can be heard online at www.myspace.com/throughthefall08 Voting, and contest rules can be found at www.gorillamusic.com They can be seen live most weekends at venues throughout the Alabama area. The Through the Fall Fan Club page can be found on Facebook.