Andrew Marston introduces Armstrong & Stayte ft Emily-Jane (Hereford)

For the ninth year running, throughout the whole of December and continuing into the new year, we won't be playing a single CD, MP3, tape or vinyl - because we're giving you the music you won't be able to get anywhere else on the planet.
 
In 2013, we continued to take the show on-the-road to some of the biggest events and most happening places in the two counties.
 
None of these artists knew they were being considered for these opportunities - they were chosen based on the tracks they sent into the BBC Introducing Uploader. 
 
This week, hear some of the performances we recorded at the Worcester Music Festival, Malvern Rocks and at our recording sessions in Kington and Pershore.

Having already had success as a producer for reggae group UB40, Dan Armstrong has also successfully submitted tracks to BBC Introducing under the name of Gogglehed.
 
He also works as a course tutor at Herefordshire & Ludlow College (formerly HCT).
 
Both Dan & Nigel Stayte can be seen around the county in their funk/disco covers band the Funkatronic Love Commandos.
 
The progression into similar-styled original material seemed a natural move. When teamed up with local girl Emily-Jane, something interesting was created!

This month's sessions were recorded at the Jailhouse in Hereford, which has been supporting live music since many of the bands that play there were wearing nappies!
 
The venue has been known on the national circuit for its Spunky happy hardcore nights and has, in recent years, started championing lots of artists from the world of drum & bass including Wilkinson, who played there last month.
 
Meet some of our local musicians...

Tickets for this year's Worcestershire music, food and drink festival 'Lakefest' have been selling fast.
 
The acts at Croft Farm Waterpark will include New York's Fun Lovin' Criminals, Snap! and Lee Scratch Perry.

This week, Andy O'Hare reviews:

• Boozestock day one with Laszlo, Richard Clarke And The Rafters, Skewwhiff & Stuntdog at the Marr's Bar, Worcester
• Boozestock day two with Das Sexy Clap, A** Pasty, Broken Oak & Johnny Kowalski at the Marr's Bar, Worcester
• Vault Of Eagles at the Bridge Inn, Worcester
• Fiona McCanlis, Filtered By Design, Molly Ganderton, Gwen Austin, Russell Marshall, Tyler Massey, Mike Mann & Tina V at The Firefly, Worcester

• Join me for a round up of music news from our area in the papers. This week Kington's Ellie Goulding picks up more Brit Award nominations following her initial Critics' Choice Award success back in 2010, plus find out which local band has been officially named one of the hardest working groups in the country.
• I'll also be here with the weekly gig guide filled with enough gigs to satisfy even Andy O'Hare.

Ledbury band The Roving Crows have received the prestigious title of Band of the Year in the FATEA music awards announced this week.
 
Other nominees included Bellowhead plus duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin.
 
The Herefordshire based folk-fusion five-piece can proudly add this highly sort-after prize to the awards they collected in 2012 - Top Celtic Rock Band and Top Fiddle Player at The Irish Music Awards alongside the Top Folk Act at the Exposure Music Awards.
 
The band are currently on tour with their second album 'Deliberate Distractions' which has received 4* reviews in the Financial Times and R2 music magazine.
 
2013 has seen the bands' busy tour schedule grow even fuller as they graced various stages all over the country supporting acts such as Jamie Cullum at the Colston Hall, the Levellers at Lakefest and Kate Rusby at Trowbridge Village Pump Festival amongst many more.

If you're a budding solo artist, an MC, or just started a brand new band then you should check out BBC Introducing Musicians' Masterclasses.

On Thursday 21 March, we visited various locations across the UK - Glasgow, Belfast, London, Salford & Cardiff. DJs from all over BBC Radio, music industry experts and artists got together to host a day of sessions, workshops and masterclasses.

On the guestlist at Maida Vale were Worcester's Shaun Williams, Malvern's 5parks, Bromyard's Tenz, Droitwich's Case Closed and Bewdley's Barbarix.

Invited to Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff were Hereford's Daniel & The Scandals, Kidderminster's Lauren Wright and man-of-many-Worcester-bands Pete Adams.

We covered everything from song writing & MC workshops to promoting your music & making the most of your Twitter accounts.

We also heard from successful artists about their own musical journeys. Our special guests included Ben Howard, Aluna George, Wretch 32, Devlin, Angel, Japanese Popstars, Phil Kieran, Badly Drawn Boy and the Manic Street Preachers.
 
This week, we hear from AlunaGeorge about how to balance your time in music against a paid job - and who the right people are to collaborate with.