Empire Drift wins Song of Toledo

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - Empire Drift has won FOX Toledo's / Toledo Free Press' inaugural Song of Toledo contest.

Empire Drift's song "A Good Place to Call Home" beat out four other finalists.

Empire Drift's "A Good Place to Call Home" edged “Frogtown Stomp” by Highbinders, “Glass Cities” by Kyle White, “Oh Toledo” by Purpose, and “You’re in Toledo, Baby!” by the Wanna Bees.

For an additional report on Empire Drift's win, check out The Toledo Free Press.

Empire Drift's song will reign as the official song for the City of Toledo and Lucas County for one year. They'll also receive free studio recording time from Strawberry Fields Recording in Swanton and will receive stage time at the Columbia Gas Smoke on the Water Ribs for the Red Cross, July 31-Aug. 2 at Promenade Park.

On top of that, Empire Drift will receive an opening slot for a national act in front of 80,000 fans at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

In a separate vote, Buck69 won the Toledo Free Press People's Choice Award. Buck69 was one of the top 10 finalists in the 2009 Song of Toledo competition, but did not make the top five.

All five finalists, plus Buck69, performed their respective songs Wednesday afternoon at the Downtown Main Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s Wintergarden.

The Free Press said Buck69 will open for the rock band Presidents of the United States of America (”Lump,” “Peaches”) at the Smoke on the Water concert this summer, and has the first track on the library compilation CD.