[KHTS] – College of the Canyons, with the help of Keyboard Galleria, is hosting its inaugural Battle of the Bands at the Canyon Country Campus on Sunday, May 18, when seven music groups will compete for first place. KHTS AM-1220 will also play the winning band’s music on the radio.

The Keyboard Galleria started accepting submissionson their website March 1, and the application period closes on Wednesday, April 30.

To be considered for a spot in May’s concert, bands must provide contact information, a band name, style of music and an audio or visual sample of their music.

COC and Keyboard Galleria have a panel of celebrity judges lined up for the event, including Grammy Award-winning producer David May, Whitesnake drummerBrian Tichy and actress Tracey Gold, known for her role as Carol Seaver in “Growing Pains.”

 All judges are subject to change.

Local retailers have donated several prizes from top-end music brands, including Yamaha, Remo and Fender. There will also be cash prizes.

Bands will be selected to perform based on their sound and skill level, according to Dennis Weber, owner of the Keyboard Galleria.

And bands won’t be adversely affected if they aren’t able to submit a professional-quality recording, Weber said.

“We can see through a bad recording,” he said. “We’re not going to blame the submission on a bad recording.”

So far, about 24 bands have already entered the contest, but there is still almost a month for the submission period closes.

Bands who submit content that is offensive or obscene will be disqualified.

And any band member who appears to under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the performance, will be asked to leave the premises and his band will be disqualified.

Full contest rules are available, here.