BUDDING rock and pop bands looking for their big break now have their chance to shine at West Devon?s first ever Battle of the Bands competition.
The big contest will take place in Okehampton over four nights in July and August with prizes including professional vocal training, a day in a recording studio and top quality instruments.
It?s the brainchild of Okehampton musician Richard Appleby whose experience of Battle of the Bands competitions in the late 1970s inspired a lifetime of entertaining.
Richard, who runs the music store Millennium Music, is hoping the buzz of playing on a stage with a professional sound system in front of a live audience will encourage new bands to flourish.
?It?s what started me in music a long time ago - it has always a problem finding a venue where people can hear what you have to offer and this is a great way to start out.
?A chance to play through a PA system in front of an audience is an amazing experience which can inspire you. I am still playing and entertaining and loving it as much as I ever did.?
With a vast of amount of guitars, drum kits and microphones being sold through Millennium Music since Richard added instruments to his stock of CDs, records and DVDs last October, he realised that there must be a lot of people playing music at home.
?I hope an event like this will encourage bands to form and play in the local area ? people come in the shop asking where they can see a local rock or pop act and it can be difficult to give them an answer.?
Battle of the Bands heats will be held in the Charter Hall on July 22, 29 and August 5 with the final on August 12. It is a completely free event and a bar and refreshments will be available.
New and more experienced bands are eligible to enter and the competition is not restricted to area although applicants in West Devon will be given priority.
Each set will be 20 minutes and this can be original material or cover versions or a mixture.
All entrants will get a year?s free membership to the Musicians Union, which is part sponsoring the event.
A huge amount of support has been given to the competition by the local community but Richard is still looking for additional sponsorship to meet costs of event equipment and publicity.
?I would love this to become an annual event and maybe we can extend it to other types of music or soloists at a future stage ? this competition is to test the water and see what talent we have out there,? he said.
?Bands will be competing for prizes such as professional vocal training and time in a recording studio which can really give them a head start.?
Richard, who toured all over the country with his rock band in the 1970s and later worked on cruises and in clubs and latterly formed the duo Mayfair with his wife Bernie and heavy metal band Crazy Train, has utilised many of his contacts in the music industry to put on the event.
?Everyone has been really positive and I hope it is the start of a lot more live music in the area,? added Richard, who names Keane, the White Stripes and the Scissor Sisters as some of his favourite bands of the moment.
?Despite mass produced pop stars taking over the charts ? what I call ?hairwashed and airbrushed little girl and boy bands? ? there is still a lot of great music out there and this is what we want to encourage.
?The UK has always produced some of the most original and exciting music and a competition like this is where it all starts.?
To sign up to play or find out more contact Richard Appleby at Millennium Music on 01837 659249.