DOLLAR ACADEMY pupil Lewis Noble is hoping to wow industry professionals when he performs at this year's SoundWaves Music Competition.

The young blues guitarist will take to the stage at the O2 ABC in Glasgow this Saturday, hoping to catch the eye of record company executives and bag himself the title of grand final winner.

And should the prodigious 15-year-old take the prize, he will also receive a full day’s recording at a professional studio, radio airtime, as well as additional press coverage and photo shoots.

He will be up against 11 other acts in what is described as the "largest music competition platform for all unsigned artists in Scotland".

But Lewis, who is also the great-grandson of Scottish music legend Jimmy Shand, will be hoping to shine in his own right as an accomplished composer and performer.

His mum Diane told the Advertiser that Lewis has shown incredible potential ever since picking up the instrument around five years ago.

She said: "We bought him an acoustic guitar for his Christmas and he started strumming it occasionally. He was then offered guitar tuition at school.

"We didn't try to force him into anything, it was just something he picked up naturally."

Diane added that Lewis has since developed a natural affinity for playing the blues and really "comes into his own" when he is playing solos.

His penchant for lead guitar is perhaps no surprise as Lewis' list of influences features world-renowned virtuosi such as Steve Vai and Joe Bonamassa.

At Saturday's competition, the Kinross teen will be performing two of his own compositions along with a cover – a well-known blues track from another of his idols.

He has already started to make a name for himself, having made waves with a handful of high-profile gigs in recent years.

The youngster played at the Merchant City Festival recently, as well appearing as a street performer at The Fringe in Edinburgh in 2014 and 2015.

In addition, Lewis makes regular contributions to open mic nights, such as Blues Tuesdays at Whighams Wine Bar in Edinburgh and at Blues Sundays at the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld.

He recently appeared on TV, on the Sky Arts Guitar Competition, and on STV's Fountainbridge Show filmed in the capital.

Next he will playing in front of an expected crowd of around 1,000 people in his bid to be crowned the SoundWaves Music Competition winner.

Supporting the event is Ella Shaw who stormed to the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2015 and since has gained millions of YouTube views.

She will be present the Soundwaves show, along with performing her track Summertime which won over the TV judges.

Tickets for the event, which begins at 5.30pm on January 14, are also available on TicketWeb.