MONROE--Nervous but confident, Matthew Gibson took the stage behind two mics, one for him and one for his guitar.

“It was the first time I ever attempted to play the guitar in a show like that,” Gibson, a radiation therapy student at South Piedmont Community College, said.

He sang a song he wrote himself and won first place in last year’s Battle of the Bands.

This year, SPCC calls local performers to compete in its third battle in conjunction with its annual spring fling.

“Music is something that cuts across all lines of age and race and gender,” John Ratliff, director of student activities, said.

Everyone enjoys hearing it, he said, and watching it is even better.

Thirty-six bands and seven individuals applied to perform last year. Judges whittled the pool down to 16 bands and five individuals who performed Latin, pop, rock, Christian and contemporary songs.

A sea of people showed up to watch and cheer them on.

Marlon Cummings of Wadesboro took the stage for his rendition of “Polk Salad Annie.” Cummings runs a small business, dressing up as Elvis and performing at local events.

Last year’s performance was meant to expand his business, he said, but this year, “I’m going to try to win.”

Competitors had 10 minutes last year to set up and perform. This year, Ratliff said they have 20 minutes.

Cummings hopes to use that extra time to sing a few more tunes.

After Flat Out Bluegrass won two years in a row, SPCC made another rule to keep that from happening again with any band. The group can still perform, but can’t compete.

Gibson, a Pineville resident, sings for weddings and other local events and plans to perform again this year.

The stage was full of talent last year, Cummings said, and the younger crowd particularly competitive.

“If local people support you, then that gives confidence to the people that are performing,” and could encourage them to perform for larger crowds, Cummings said.

He offered fresh competitors a bit of advice: “You best come prepared.”

The first-place band wins $500. The second-place band gets $300 and third-place receives $200.

The top individual performer wins $100.

First-place winners in past battles cannot compete, but can sign up to perform during the event. All performances must be live; no recorded accompaniment is allowed. Performers must use the college’s drum set and sound system.

To apply, contact Ratliff at 704-272-5375 or e-mail jratliff@spcc.edu. Each competitor must offer a recording as part of the application. The deadline to apply is April 9.

Admission is free.

LAST YEAR’S WINNERS

Can this year’s competitors top past winners?

First Place: Flat Out Bluegrass

Second Place: Delta Progression

Third Place: Cabin Creek

Individual Winner: Matthew Gibson