McKenzies Mill, a band that includes West End brothers Justin and Ryan Harris, continues to be heard in the music industry, with another significant victory in a Battle of the Bands contest.

"This is our third major Battle of the Bands win," says Ryan Harris. "It was sponsored by MGM Grand, Country Jam, Crown Royal, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, and Roper Apparel.

The first round was a video submission.

"Then we were invited to compete in the second round, which was live in Minneapolis," says Harris. "We didn't have the best of time slots, and though we didn't 'win' our region, the judges were impressed enough to give us a 'wild card,' so we were able to advance to Dallas."

McKenzies Mill was one of eight bands competing in Dallas - and they went home to Nashville victorious.

"We have the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas for 10 nights," Harris says. "We will leave Dec. 5 and perform Dec. 6-15 on the Gold Buckle Stage at the NFR National Rodeo Finals at the MGM Grand."

Harris says their performances will be held after the rodeo.

"Kind of the 'after-party,'" he says. "The riders, contestants and other people from the area will be able to attend. We will also open for some national acts that are performing that week."

In addition to the performance opportunity in Las Vegas, McKenzies Mill will also play at selected locations of Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, at Country Jam in both Wisconsin and Colorado, and they received a $10,000 shopping spree courtesy of Roper Apparel.

"We are getting paid well to do this and are very excited about the opportunity," says Harris. "We believe this national media exposure will help us make an upward turn."

The band recently returned from the Bud Light Port Paradise cruise.

"We got to meet and network with some great people," he says.

But they haven't forgotten the folks back home.

"We will be home for New Year's and are playing at O'Donnell's Pub, in Southern Pines, on New Year's Eve," says Harris.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@the pilot.com.