'Get Seen Get Heard' asked Oxjam participants to film their gigs and upload the footage onto the MTV website, to put their talents to the public vote for the opportunity to appear across MTV's music channels.

The next step will see Padraig profiled in a package shown throughout March and April. In the coming months, the 25 semi-finalists will be whittled down to five, each of whom will receive a mentoring session with a music industry expert. The final three will battle head-to-head in a live studio show and the eventual winner will record an exclusive "Spanking New Session" in the MTV studios.

Padraig performed at a gig in Bray during October for Oxjam 2007, and other local bands can do the same, as Oxjam returns nationwide in Ireland throughout October 2008. Once again, thousands of events put on by music lovers – from large-scale festivals to local sponsored busks – all over Ireland and the UK throughout October will raise vital funds to fight poverty around the world.

Padraig is a singer/songwriter who was born in Ireland but grew up in America on a diet of bluegrass, folk and world music. In 2000, he joined the Dublin Gospel Choir, with whom he worked as a soloist, arranger and writer for the last six years, touring nationwide and releasing three albums.

Alexandra Johnson, Music Marketing Manager at MTV, said:

"Oxjam is a rare opportunity for unsigned bands to give their own music career a boost whilst doing something charitable. Last year, we were thrilled to find a wealth of promising new artists such as Padraig Rushe amongst the hundreds who performed at Oxjam gigs. The festival is set to kick off again later this year, so whatever sort of music you play, get involved."

Oxjam Ireland Co-ordinator Emma Kilkenny said:

"As Padraig 's success last year shows, taking part in Oxjam can help take local musicians to the next level, as well as helping us to fight poverty. We'd love to see as many Bray bands as possible getting out there and playing Oxjam shows in October."

Find out more about how you can get involved with Oxjam this year.