More than one million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and it accounts for approximately 13 percent of deaths worldwide. Auburn University's Relay for Life Committee is looking to change that.
With the help of the American Cancer Society, the organization raises money to contribute to cancer research development and awareness. "Let's Rock Cancer: Battle of the Bands" will take place Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at SkyBar from 10 p.m.-2 p.m. the next day. Throughout the month of November, several bands and solo artists competed for a chance to perform at the event.
Audience members will vote for their favorites by text message, and the winner will receive a $500 paid gig at SkyBar. Additionally, the winner will perform at Relay for Life's largest event of the year at the end of the spring semester.
Minh Vu
While most of the performers at Battle of the Bands are excited to help raise money to find a cure for cancer, Minh Vu said he has a very special interest in the Relay for Life event.
"A couple of years ago, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she had to undergo a lot of treatment," Vu said. "It was a really terrible thing for our family. We had a very rough time coping with all of it. When one of my [Auburn] friends told me about this competition, I realized it was a perfect way to give back to my mother."
His mother might have inspired Vu to participate in Battle of the Bands, but he said he knew at an early age he was destined to perform.
"When I was in elementary school, my music teacher recognized my talent the first time I picked up a guitar," Vu said. "He got me started with the guitar, and then I picked up other instruments like piano and the drums. Before I knew I was singing as well, and it all just came very naturally to me. I've loved performing ever since then."
At 21 years old, Vu is significantly younger than many musicians.
Vu said he hopes his eclectic musical style, and his unexpected twists on popular songs, will set him apart from the other contestants at the event.
"I play a lot of acoustic stuff, but I like to take mainstream songs from the radio and change them in little ways to make them my own," Vu said.
Even though Vu's style is unique, he draws inspiration from two performers.
"John Mayer is one of my biggest influences," Vu said. "It is really just amazing what that man can do with a guitar. As for vocals, I would really like to be compared to Bruno Mars."
Charlie Muncaster
For Battle of the Bands contestant, Charlie Muncaster, an entire career began with a simple birthday gift.
"Music was really just a random interest for me," Muncaster said. "I got a guitar for a birthday present when I was younger, and I just picked it up and started playing. My parents didn't think I would keep going with it, but I was immediately interested in music so I just ran with it."
Muncaster said his music is a blend of acoustic and Southern styles.
With approximately 80 videos on his YouTube channel, Muncaster said he aims to his flexibility as a performer.
The artists he covers range from country singers, such as Luke Bryan, Justin Moore and Blake Shelton, to more mainstream artists, such as Mac Miller, The Benjy Davis Project and Dashboard Confessional.
Muncaster has built his reputation by opening for big names in music, such as Tyler Reeve, Rhett Atkins and Blackberry Smoke.
Despite having played with such established performers, Muncaster said Relay for Life's Battle of the Bands will be an especially significant show for him.
"I have lost some very important people in my life to this disease," Muncaster said. "My grandmother, my father's mother, died of pancreatic cancer. My mom's mother also died of cancer not too long ago."
According to Muncaster, performing in the Battle of the Bands will be an entirely different kind of experience for him than any other performance he has done.
"Instead of all these bands performing for just a job, or for a paycheck, it's nice to actually come together and do what we love for a good reason," Muncaster said.
Zac Martin
Ever since Zac Martin can remember, he has wanted to be a musician.
"I've always been a fan of music, and I've always been really interested in what makes different styles of music unique," Martin said. "Playing an instrument was just kind of a natural progression for me."
Martin's Americana-Folk style is reminiscent of two of his strongest influences, Ray LaMontagne and Gregory Alan Isakov.
"Throughout the years, I've been influenced by a ton of genres and artists that have shaped my ideas and abilities," Martin said.
Even though Martin has no personal connection to cancer, he is still excited to be doing anything he can to help eradicate the disease.
"I think Relay for Life's Battle of the Bands is a great event, raising money for a great cause," Martin said. "I have been involved in several other Relay for Life events in the past, and I'm a big fan of anything I can do to raise money for research."
He said he is also impressed with Auburn's Relay for Life, and the unique way Battle of the Bands is set up.
"I think that this is a really good concept," Martin said. "It's really interesting the way they blend music with an event like this. I appreciate the way they make music and the promotion of a good cause a hand-in-hand thing. So many of the events I've played have had live music and things like that, but I really like the idea of blending the two together. I've been watching the videos of the other bands that have been posted, and I'm really excited to see them perform."
Martin is based in Atlanta, but performs throughout the Southeast. Visit ZacMartinMusic.com for more details.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
