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Across the globe, hundreds of string burners of all ages and styles answered the call to post their best performances at sonicbids.com. Ten finalists were chosen to perform onstage in front of a live audience and a panel of world-famous guitar stars: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliot Easton (The Cars), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), and Brendon Small (co-creator of Adult’s Swim’s Metalocalypse animated series). Host of this year’s big event—which is presented by Guitar Center—is Andy Summers, who is just coming off a world tour for the reunited Police.
The six judges will evaluate each original performance and rate each contestant on technique, creativity, charisma, and overall vibe, and, at the end of the night, the 2008 Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar will be crowned, along with two runner-ups.
“Now in its fourth year, this guitar gala just keeps getting better and better,” says Guitar Player Editor in Chief Michael Molenda. “For the fans, it’s a fabulous cage match of phenomenally talented unknowns battling it out in an American Idol-style competition for guitarists. We’re also so honored that such legendary players—Joe, Steve, Elliot, George, Andy, and Brendon—support the event by agreeing to judge tomorrow’s guitar superstars. It’s like Brendon said, ‘Who would play in front of guys like Satriani, Vai, Elliot Easton, and George Lynch? They must be lunatics!’”
The ten finalists – representing a wide range of guitar styles including Rockabilly/Roots, Jazz, Rock and even Hawaiian “Slack Rock” – are: Mark Christian, Mike Orlando, Vicki Genfan, the guy, Makana, Daddo Oreskovich, Eric Barnett, Eric Brewer, Ben Robinson, and Dan Peters. The contestants will perform with the house band Thud Factor, comprised of editors from Guitar Player, Bass Player and Keyboard magazines.
All ten contestants receive an all-expenses paid trip to San Francisco. The winner, First Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up of the event will receive custom trophies and complete gear packages. The champion will receive a feature article in Guitar Player magazine and prizes from event sponsors including The Guitar Center, Mesa/Boogie. Moog Music. Epiphone, ZZYZX Snapjack Cables, Bugera Amps, Audio-Technica, Auralex, CAD Microphones, Carr Amps, Collings Guitars, Cruz Tools, Dunlop Manufacturing, Essential Sound Products, Fulltone, Keeley Electronics, King Amplification, Magix, N-Tune Peterson, ProTone Pedals, Reeves Amplification, Reverend Guitars, Shreddies, Villex Electronics, and Westheimer/Cort.
The competition takes place Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 8:00 pm at The Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA. Admission $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door. Tickets can be ordered online at gamh.com; tickets.com, or call.
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