A new £1,000 prize has been was donated to the Shropshire Star Battle of the Bands contest. It brings the total prize fund to more than £6,000.

Salop Music Centre, in Shrewsbury, has decided to give away a state of the art Roland drum kit to the winning band. The company is now donating £5,000 worth of prizes.

Today store boss Rob Mulliner said: “We have decided to significantly increase the prize on offer to these up and coming bands. The latest offering is a Roland TD6KX V-Drum Kit, which has a retail price of more than £1,000.”

Roland Sales manager Drew Macdonald added: “It’s great to see one of Roland’s Premier independent dealers supporting up and coming bands.

“Since Salop Music Centre became a full Roland & Boss Centre four years ago, we have made it a priority to support events and activities to the full. This competition looks an amazing opportunity for all the bands that enter.”

Bands that want advice on entering the competition can also obtain free advice from Ben Allen Jones at Salop Music Centre.

In addition to prizes from Salop Music Centre, bands can win studio advice, a £100 spot prize for the best musician, 100 CDs, mentoring advice and a photoshoot.

Those prizes are being offered by Wolf At Your Door Records, Soundscape Studios, Telford FM boss Pete Wagstaff and the Shropshire Star.

The event’s finals will take place across two nights at The Buttermarket, in Shrewsbury.

Shropshire Star Battle of the Bands spokesman James Shaw said: “We’re thrilled that Salop Music Centre and Roland are donating this massive prize. The winners of our competition will have everything they need.

“The prize fund includes a PA, effects pedals, the drum kit, photos, CDs, studio time and mentoring advice. It really is the perfect package to put one Shropshire band on the road to success.”

• Bands should send their CDs, videos, photographs and biographies to James Shaw, Shropshire Star, Battle of the Bands, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford TF1 5HU, by March 9.
• The finals will take place at Shrewsbury Buttermarket on March 23 and 30. No MNA employees or relatives are eligible and the editor’s decision is final.

Competition sponsors:

Shropshire Music Centre – the main sponsors, offering £3,000 of band equipment www.salopmusic.co.uk

A Wolf at Your Door Records – offering 100 demo discs and advice www.wolfatyourdoor.com

Soundscape Studios – offering four hours studio time http://soundscape-studios.co.uk

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury – venue for the Battle Of The Bands finals www.buttermarket.com