As 2010 winds down, I'm looking forward to 2011. I can't really say how much better or worse I expect it to be, but I'm already working on projects that will shape the first few months of next year. The main thing I'm working on is the sixth year of the March Madness Battle of The Bands.

Here is a brief history: in 2006 the owners of the venue I was working at told me that the bands were too expensive and the crowds were too small. There would be no more money budgeted for live music until further notice, and unless I could find away to pay for the shows that I booked, there would be no more live music and I would be out of a job.

Walking across the parking lot, I pondered my predicament. How could I get the bands to play for free? As a musician myself, it was impossible for me to even ask that. I'm sure I could get a few bands to play for the door, but this is Mount Pleasant and people don't seem to want to pay to get into shows. If I could just hang on for two months or so, I could at least have enough time to find another job.

Then it hit me, Battle of The Bands! I had a month of shows that were under contract left. That would give me time to organize the battle, book the dates and spread the word. I scheduled a field of 16 bands to play in four preliminary rounds with a final four bands squaring off for the grand prize package. It was purely a desperation move, but it saved my job and the music program on that particular stage.

But something else happened. Local bands became enthusiastic about it, and by the next year I had 15 bands expressing interest before I even considered whether or not I would have another. And I was meeting new bands, making new friends and figuring out ways to make it more competitive. It had snowballed into an entity with a life of its own.

Now in its sixth year, The March Madness Battle of the Bands has become (in my mind) a chance for local bands to compete in a fairly-run battle as well as a chance to raise their profile in the local music scene. It's not that I am some important person with influence or something silly like that. It's because I have included a lot more than just performance in the battle. I've narrowed the field to 12 and included promotional requirements. It is my hope that the winning band (as well as all bands involved) can have a viable place in the local scene. Having a energetic approach to promotion is an essential element in building a following. So I made it part of the battle.

I expect this year to be as much fun and as entertaining as the past years. Three local bands have already secured their positions and I am working out details with that many more. So if you are in a local band and would like to battle, or a local business that would like to help sponsor this event, you can contact me at allnightjohnson@gmail.com. There are only nine spots left, so hurry if you want to be involved.

Until next time, be nice to each other and support live music.