The Global Battle of the Bands local franchise holder Seretse Small is remounting the competition for December 2010, which had been stalled for four years due to financing.

The winner in Jamaica will perform at the finals in Malaysia for a chance to win US$100,000 and a world tour.

“We are doing it this year gorilla style,” stated Small former guitarist for deejay Sean Paul and head of Griot Music. “Since 2005 it has been the first opportunity we’ve had to stage the event.”

In 2008 Griot budgeted for a $15 million televised Battle of the Bands talent search but achieved two-thirds of the target. “Then the global downturn hit and things started unravelling around us,” he explained about a reduction in sponsorship due to the recession.

This year Small expects some 20 bands to enlist amongst the hundreds in Jamaica. There is a US$5 entry fee per band member.

“I personally believe that there is a band for every hotel and church in Jamaica. So we have hundreds of bands, but because of the absence of gigs in Jamaica a lot of bands don’t bother, but once you create the opportunity for them they re-emerge,” stated Small who hosts live music events in Kingston. “For the first Battle of the Bands a lot of bands were re-united.”

Two or more persons with an instrument comprise a band. Also professionals and amateurs are eligible: “You could be a Grammy winner, as long as you sing two original songs”.

The band Live Wyya won the first staging of the event but didn’t win the ultimate contest overseas. Notwithstanding they networked and played in countries including Japan. In fact, Live Wyya announced the release of their latest album Spread The Love, this month.

Rootz Underground which placed third ultimately received the most exposure from the event in Jamaica.

“Rootz Underground benefited the most they got $180,000 in prize money which they put towards making their first video,” he said. “It was the first time that they moved from the small to a more national stage. And in battling the other bands it was clear that they (could) stand out. Before they were seen by some as an uptown band but they had a unique sound.”

Rootz Underground, a reggae rock band, constantly tours Europe and US.

The judges at the 2005 event were Ibo Cooper, Freddie McGregor, Claudette Powell, Bryan Schmidt Sharon Burke and Michael Edwards.

The Global Battle of the Bands is self described “world’s biggest live talent competition for bands” started in 2004 with 16 countries participating which expanded to over 30 in 2010.

An unrelated global band competition slated for May 2010 in Negril Jamaica was cancelled and rescheduled for 2011 by its North American organisers.