News : Roundswell & Sticklepath

One of the judges for this year’s Big Battle knows what it takes to make it big in the music business. Wendy Joseph is perhaps better known as the mother of international singing star and soul sensation, Joss Stone. Wendy says that her own introduction to the music business was very much a baptism of fire. During the three years spent travelling around the globe with daughter Joss, she gained first hand experience in dealing with all aspects of the music business. As co-writer of the worldwide hit single ‘You Had Me’, Wendy also secured her own publishing deal with BMG Publishing in 2004. She continues to manage, write and collaborate with other artists and writer/producers and also works together with BMG Publishing to find and develop new writers.

Wendy recently set up Mama Stones Artist Development together with her husband, Jonathan Joseph, for the development of new up and coming musical talent. Jonathan is a Grammy Award winning musician who hails from Miami, Florida, and came to the UK in 2003 as Joss Stone’s Musical Director and Drummer.

“Having Wendy on board as a judge at this year’s Big Battle is a real coup”, said organiser, Sue Rawle.  “She will be at the finals of the Big Battle being held at the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple, on Wednesday July 16, at 7.30pm. Joss of course is a great supporter of Amigos International, the charity we support with our music event, and has visited Kira Farm Training Centre in Uganda to see first hand the work of Amigos. Since first starting the Big Night Out, which quickly became a two night event with the Big Battle, we have raised in excess of £6,000 for charity.

“We have already had a tremendous response to the Big Battle, with lots of bands entered for the first round. At the moment, I hope we can accommodate them all in Round One, which is an extra all day music event put on this year to give more young musicians a chance to perform on stage. Round One is being held at Barnstaple’s newest live music venue, The Factory, Roundswell, Barnstaple on Saturday, July 5th.

All entrieswere told by June 19th if they were through to Round One. Bands that were chosen to perform on July 5th need to have a CD available which they must bring with them to The Factory with their 3 best songs on it. No CD then no entry as you won't be able to progress to the next round on Lantern FM.

Twelve bands will be chosen from Round One to be played on Lantern FM on Saturday July 12th where listeners will vote for the six they want to go through to Big Battle Round 2 at the Queen's Theatre on Wednesday, July 16th. The winner from this night gets a guest spot on the Big Night Out on Thursday, July 24th plus £200 cash prize, courtesy of Sue Rawle Media.

The rules this year are pretty much the same as before except the age limit has been lowered to 12 instead of 13 years old. The top age limit stays the same at 25 years.

Rules:
Closing date- June 16th -initial entries to www.myspace.com/suerawle
Age limit- 12 years up to 25 years old
Not to be signed to a record label (other than North Devon College's own label)
No backing tracks allowed- the event promotes live music
Must bring CD on July 5th with 3 best tracks on it- reasonable quality that if chosen can be played on radio
Include the name of band/ solo artist/ members’ ages, photo (if you have one) and contact address and telephone number.
Judges decision is final.
*Any queries or if you don't have a myspace account then please ring 01271-344089.