MUSICIAN Sam Dixon, 20, who attended the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School and Herefordshire Sixth Form College before going on to study commercial music at Bath Spa University, is down to the final six in the Musicians Benevolent Fund Songwriting Award 2006.

Sam plays drums, keyboards and guitar, as well as writing and producing his own work.

Having played with numerous bands as well as playing percussion for a local amateur drama group when he was in Hereford, Sam formed a band with three of his fellow undergraduates when he reached Bath.

The band is called Jub and they have to perform two of their songs at the awards ceremony in London later this month.

The judging panel includes none other than Guy Chambers - best known for his collaboration as songwriter and producer with Robbie Williams.

"When we were picked from Bath Spa University, it was good to get that far," Sam said, "but then to get picked nationally was phenomenal. It is a short slot to get in and impress, but I think we have a good chance."

The songs the band will perform are Dancing Embers and Wake Up and you can visit www.myspace.com/jubrock to hear them.