To the winner go the spoils — and sometimes even a record deal.

This will be the motivation when Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., holds a Battle of the Bands competition Monday night featuring Rachel Sage, Das Phrogge, Dennis Fallon and Nevermoure. The all-ages show will start at 9 p.m. with a $3 cover at the door.

The prize for the best performance is an opportunity to open for the Jude and Michelle Branch show on Nov. 7 at Crowbar. Jude and Branch will perform at each Big Ten university while touring.

In collaboration with the artists' tour, Maverick Recording Co. decided to choose local bands to open the show at each of the 11 concerts across the country. Bands had to submit demos to Maverick. The company then chose a few to compete in a Battle of the Bands, with the winner awarded with the opening position.

After all the shows are said and done, Maverick will choose the best opening band from the tour and award them with $10,000 to make a demo and a chance at a recording contract with Maverick.

Not only will the tour give local bands the possibility to be seen by a major record label, Maverick head of marketing Barbara Bausman said the Battle of the Bands also gives Maverick a unique chance to survey talent that they may not have seen otherwise.

"We only have so many eyes and ears," Bausman said. "This contest gives us an opportunity to see what's out there."

Two of the acts slated to play — Dennis Fallon and Nevermoure — are local musicians. Fallon said he sent in the tape to Maverick after hearing about the contest and was just told last week that he had be one of the four chosen to play.

Fallon has been playing in the State College area for over two years now, and was formerly with the band Forty Pound Test. He is currently performing in various venues downtown, including a show at the Rathskeller All American, 108 S. Pugh St., on Nov. 23.

Though the wealth and fame associated with winning is appealing to Fallon, he sees this show as no different from any others. For him, every show could be "the one" where he could get his break. The idea of local talent receiving a chance to break into mainstream success has him excited enough.

"What's really cool is that Maverick is giving unsigned bands the chance to perform for a lot of people," Fallon said.

Bausman said the contest developed after Maverick was contacted by Kenneth Cole Productions. The clothing company was looking for a new way to promote its new line of apparel.

Using the concept of new discoveries, Kenneth Cole and Maverick used the music of newcomers Jude and Michelle Branch for their collective campaign.