Andrew Marston introduces Matt Sheehan (Hereford)

Hereford's Matt Sheehan has always wanted to play music.

"It's been a life-long dream since I was a child," he says.

Matt was brought up listening to country artists such as Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt to the heavy rock riffs of Nirvana, Guns N' Roses and The Rolling Stones.

“Beautiful songs from the soul performed with such delicacy" - Andrew Marston.

• See our session snaps

Jim Eliot has had seven UK top 10 singles - that’s the same number as Adele. But just who is this one-man hit factory?

Jim’s written and produced songs for Kylie Minogue, Will Young, Olly Murs, Ellie Goulding, Christina Perri, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Leona Lewis, James Morrison, Rae Morris, Sigma and Foxes - and does all of this from his home in Hay-on-Wye.

This week, we start a brand new series looking at the science behind a top ten hit.

• The interviews you may have missed on the radio

Applications are open for next year's W Factor, which returns to Wychavon, showcasing dance, drama, music, singing and comedy among 11 - 18-year-olds.

The competition, which has been paid for by the local council for well over a decade, aims to developing young talent with selected finalists performing in a glitzy ceremony at Pershore's Number 8 in March.

The winners will also get training from professional artists to help them develop and they will be able to perform at local events throughout the summer.

Anyone wanting to come to one of the open auditions at De Montfort School on Wednesday, 16 January or the Civic Centre in Pershore on Thursday, 17 January will need to complete an application form at wychavon.gov.uk/events-training-and-workshops.

• The biggest events in Herefordshire & Worcestershire

Our sessions, this month, come from the Worcester Christmas Lights switch-on ceremony.

Not only was this a fantastic opportunity for the musicians we selected (who didn’t even know they were being considered for this incredible gig), but also a chance for thousands of people to see the amazing talent we have right here on our doorstep.

As always, we also hope this will also inspire other musicians to share their music with us.

The event, this year, moved from the Guildhall to the newly-revamped Cathedral Square under the statue of Sir Edward Elgar.

• See our pictures of the event

Throughout the whole of December, we're dedicating the second hour of our shows to live music.

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!

This week, hear tracks performed at the Reading Festival, The Swan in Stourport, Lakefest near Ledbury, The Artrix in Bromsgrove, Worcester Music Festival and at Worcester's Christmas Lights.

• All of our studio and festival sessions since 2005

Every week, we offer top tips for new musicians looking for their big break in the record industry.

In this episode, we hear about the importance of being able to 'sell yourself' to a new audience, setting yourself realistic goals and the importance of a day job.

Singer/songwriter and BBC 6 Music presenter Tom Robinson offers his words of wisdom.

• Our tips for 'making it' in the record industry

Our next recording session will take place on Sunday, 27 January at Kidderminster College.

The venue, which has made a name for itself as being the national HQ of the government-funded MAS Records scheme, is supported by Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) and Karl Hyde (Underworld).

We'll be bringing along handpicked musicians from Herefordshire and Worcestershire to record their live sessions for broadcast.

They've all uploaded their tracks to the BBC Music Introducing Uploader - but didn't know they were being considered for this incredible opportunity!

This free event, which is open to everybody, kicks off at 1pm and you're more than welcome to turn up anytime until 5pm.