Conference napalm::guitar

    I didn't make last years entry deadline, but WTF, I think I'll go for
    it this year.  The guy that won wasn't that good IMHO.

    I'll enter again, gives me a reason to get another mike I suppose.
    Since I don't expect to win unlike last year my submission will be 
    alot heavier i don't care crank my bich up yer nose. 
    
    Good Luck Buck!
    

    
    	Good luck guys!!!

    Well I sent my submission in , probably the last I hear about it!
    Anyway it's a short peice and Slow. 
    Didn't get another Microphone, but did pick up a used
    Perfect Connection Stereo splitter, used, velcro-ed onto
    a rack shelf. My My I Am HiTech Guitar Now!
     
   Building another guitar now,  
    will have part of a Teeneage Mutant Ninja Turtle poster pasted 
     on the front.
     That'll give me a Turtle Toenail guitar and 
    my High-Tech Stereo Rack! HaHa!

>    will have part of a Teeneage Mutant Ninja Turtle poster pasted 
>     on the front.
    
    My son would love that!  Can't believe how rich those 2 teens are that
    came up with those characters!
    
    Mike

    
    Ironside Management is contacting this years semi-finalists by phone.
    They called me at 4:30 yesterday, to inform me of my selection as a 
    semi-finalist, and told me I should be playing at Edible Rex, on the
    9th, next Monday. Also said more information will be sent in the mail
    by the end of the week, so when I get it, I'll post it in here.
    
    Robbie Barton, from "Trapper" was also called. Ya gotta hear this guy!
    He will also be at Edible Rex on Monday. Should be a great show, so be
    there, cause you don't want to miss it.
    
    Anyone else get a call?
    
    Bob...who will be disguised as participant Jeffrey Paul Raymond

    No...
    
    I was hoping to get an entry in by the 26th but recent life changes
    made me forget the deadline date and thus...no entry! ;^(
    
    Buck, who'll have something for B.B._III

    RE: .6
    
    Congrats and Good Luck, Bob!
    
    Glad to see a GIT noter made it to the semi-finals!
    
    Mike_who'll_be_at_Edible's_next_Monday_to_check_it_out

    
    Thanks, Mike. Be sure to introduce yourself. I'll be the one with the
    the long hair.
    
    Received more information in yesterdays mail. They'll be running the
    show the same as last year. All contestants will be playing through a
    Scholz Rockman Monster amp, containing XPR multi processer-pre amp.
    A guitar tech will be there to help contestants get comfortable with
    the equipment. 5 minutes time allowed for "getting the sound", and
    then, perform for 2 minutes.
    
    Judging will be scored on technical difficulty, originality, showman-
    ship, appearance, and timing (length of performance) Only 6 will go on
    to the finals, where over $15,000 in prizes will be awarded, to the top
    5 guitarists.
    
    Last year, due to a certain amount of nervousness, and the inability to
    count to 120 sec., while trying to play, I didn't make the finals. This
    year, I've got someone in the crowd, with a stopwatch, and a flare gun,
    so maybe...if I can remember the sequences, and can please the judges
    with a C note, (or maybe a B flat...) I"ll be at The Channel, on May 1.
    
    Bob/Jeffrey

    A few questions Bob:
    
    Is this thing strictly a 'solo' effort?  Or are you folks gonna have
    accompanyment?
    
    What time does it start?
    
    Also, I read in the Edible Rex calendar flyer that there is gonna
    be a Blues Saraceno Clinic starting at 8:00 pm.
    
    Mike

    
    Mike,
    
    Totally a solo deal. Licks, tricks, chords, or combinations of stuff.
    
    As far as I know, doors open at 8:00. In the info from B.A.L.E., they
    asked the contestants to be there at 7:30, for a meeting on rules, and
    are giving 1 extra point for being on time. 
    
    Don't know a thing about a Blues Saraceno clinic. When do they have him
    scheduled to do this? I'd like to see how he does some of the stuff on
    his tape.
    
    Bob/Jeff/Napoleon 

    I'm in for Monday, April 16nth at Grover's. 
    Good luck to you guys next Monday. 
    

    
    
    Congratulations, Mr Aleclaire!!! I'll be there to cheer you on!
    
    Bob/Jeff/Napoleon/Sybil...

    Thanks Bob/Jeff/Napoleon/Sybil 
    First guy to yell WOODY at me is CheeseWizz, dudes

    how do I get to the show tonight?

    YES...directions puhleeze!
    
    Herr Buckmeister

    
    Sorry folks, maybe next year...
    
    It was a good show, except for Blues Saraceno arriving late.
    He played 4 songs along with a tape, and gave a brief demonstration
    of how he does some of the things he does. Talented individual! And
    only 18 years old!
    
    The competition started shortly after the Blues show, with me playing
    second. (gulp!) First half of my solo went well, then I switched to the
    neck pick-up, and lost all of the sustain, and I couldn't compensate.
    So I lost the flow of the solo, and consequently, didn't place.
    
    The 6 finalists were all great players, with one guy (the best dressed
    award) doing an incredible jazz/fusion chord solo that had the crowd
    screaming. Robby Barton, also in the 6, played an incredibly wild solo. 
    In my opinion, the best of the night. All in all, it was a great show.
    
    Bob

    
    Just to clarify...                                      
    
    You know, the more I think about it, the more it looks like...
    
    "How about directions?"..."sorry folkes, maybe next year"
    
    I took a Vacation day Monday, and was no where near a place to
    even know directions were requested. So please don't take that as
    it looks.
    
    Many have asked me why 2 names? Well, when I was born, I was given up
    for adoption. When I was 25, I contacted the biological family, and
    they told me if I was not given up for adoption, they would have named
    me Jeffrey Paul Raymond. So... that's why. JPR is used when anything in
    the entertainment industry is done.
    
    Anyone going to Jumbo's in Somerville tonight as the battle continues?
    
    Bob

    
    Last nights competition didn't seem be as intense as Mondays. There
    were only 22 contestants, which I thought only 4 or 5 were really
    talented players. Not as many people showed up as did on Monday, and
    they were less rowdy. Chachi, from WBCN, did the MC job.
    
    Last years winner, Chris Sanzo, was present, as a judge. After the 22
    had played, he got up and amazed the crowd with some classical stuff.
    Tom Sholz showed up, and watched some of the contestants, then left.
    
    They announced that the show for the 18th, at Axis, has been moved to
    Monday, the 23rd.
    
    Bob

    How should I dress for monday? Like spandex /shirtless
    (hy look at that baldies gut hang out? ) or what?
    
    What should I do during the 5 minute set up?
    Do you have any suggestions  that could help me avoid doing something
    stupid?
     Can I have a watch / stopwatch so I don't blow th timing?
    
    Toenail who was gonna go but gooffy things just kept me away,
    that and I'm chicken and scared........
    
    
    

    
    Dress the part. In all catagories, points are scored from 1-10. So go
    all out. So far, there have been many different approaches. From t-top
    and jeans, to a tuxedo. Try to dress according to your style of music.
    
    Do all you can during the 5 minutes to get as close to the sound you
    are accustomed to. The amp is very versatile, and the amp tech, Bob,
    will do all he can in the 5 minutes. You can have one sound, like mega-
    distortion, and a very nice clean tone, and change them with the pedal.
    Or you can go one sound all the way through, and control the sound with
    the volume & tone knobs. Main thing is to be comfortable with what you
    hear.
    
    Suggestions? Don't expect perfection, but of course try for it anyway.
    Don't try to do flips, or whippin the guitar around behind you, or
    try anything you're not comfortable playing. Have a set format, almost
    like a song. Like four 30 second parts, or six 20 second parts. If you
    are gonna go out and improvise, be sure to be wearing a stop watch on
    your wrist, where you can monitor the time, or have someone in the
    crowd let you know when your times up.
    
    I could tell you not to be nervous, but nervous energy can be
    beneficial if you can channel it, and keep your concentration on what
    you're playing. And have fun. Ham it up a little. Audience response is
    being scored. 
    
    See ya Monday!
    
    Bob

    
    Nice try Andy. Maybe next year? Love that Rich Bich of yours.
    
    Last nights event was tainted by excessive humming over the P.A. One of
    the contestants I spoke with said Grovers is notorious for such noise,
    due to the lights. I also think the amp sounded better at the 2 previous
    shows.
    
    I was quite impressed with this one guitarist, a Japanese guy, who did
    a very good funk/jazz solo. A finalist for sure. Also making the top 6,
    was a contestant from last year, Jody Frawley. She played very nicely,
    with lots of hammering, and classical stuff. Fred Bramante, the one and
    only "Daddy", from the music chain, bearing the same name, had said Jody
    has been contacted by Dean Markley, as they have been looking for female
    endorsers. 
    
    A good crowd, but I thought the field was weaker than the other 2 shows.
    A few shreaders, and couple of chord wizards, but some of the other ones! 
    Whew! Makes me wonder what the tapes that didn't make it sound like.
    
    Bob

    I'm glad I didn't make it!
    
    I played a piece of music, and blew it because I didn't get out to the
    other prelims to see what they wanted, which is what I call  Just fingers.
    I still thank God I don't play like anybody I saw at Grovers .
     My peice was slow, a slow peice of basic classic sounding stuff.
     It was the wrong thing to play.
    I was happy when I left, right after the judges announced the 
    finalist, some people were yelling "Where's Woody?"
    
    Being the first time I played anything I wrote to people, this was 
    a bodaciously excellent thing to hear.
    
    IF I play next year, which'll probably be the next time I'm in a Bar
    ( and even then too soon ) I think the best thing to do would be
    1. get i with a nice tape.
    2. get royally plummeted on anything I can find drink or squeeze SO
    3. I get up there and play spastic psycodelic riffs and Forget about
    the Music.
    
    Some of this may sound like sour grapes, well sure, to some degree,
    all I can say is I was happy I'm done with it, I played more the days
    following the contest than in a long time.
     I was happy with my playing,
    and the judges are idiots from dive hell!!
    
    Toenail. Captain Toenail.
    Who learned after all the amps, after all the bich, the steel strings,
    the processors,
    I have become and will remain a mutant classical guitarist.
    
    

    
    RE: -.1
    
    Multiple sadness, dude!  It's really too bad that those judges think
    Scale+Speed=Good!  Where's the place in this fast food world for 
    taste?
    
    Dismay, heartbreak, condolences(sp), enraged, all of the above!
    
    J-Dot

    Think about it though - the judges represented the current mentality of
    most of the guitarist population these days.  By those standards
    Clapton wouldn't have placed either .... sheesh ...
    
    Scary (who doesn't burn, and really doesn't try anymore ...)

    of the 2 judges present at grovers, 1 was a BALE ( Boston Area Local
    Entertainment ) person and the other was a Berklee teacher. 
    The third one apparently didn't sho up.
    
    I could have burned, but thought I could get away with not, silly me!
    
    One of the dudes had a white custom guitar with a spike shape hanging down
    from the body that was at leats 2 feet long, what a radical axe!
    Another interesting guitar was a Les Paul clone ( WITH A BOLT-ON NECK )
    that had the frets filed down, so all that was left was the visible
    tang.  No frets! 

    
    Personally I think its absurd to call it "Boston's Best Guitarist",
    because there are so many different ways to play a guitar, and so many
    different styles.  Seemed to me when I heard about it that only one
    type of guitarist need apply.  Sounds like thats about right.
    
    Kind of arrogant for someone to assume that the best rock-speed-riff
    player is the best GUITARIST in Boston.
    
    Dave

   What do you expect from a contest that's sponsored by radio stations
   and held in bars?  "Popularity", or course!

   -- Sam

    I'm a gluton, already thinking in terms of next year.
    it may be a bar popularity contest, but it's a way for a person like
    myself whose not in a band to get noticed (press, fans) so , like if I
    did do a classical concert, the venue wouldn't be empty.
    There must be other ways, too, like Joe Satriani making a recording on
    his credit card, but then what?
     It is an opportunity, if it's a fair fight, and you know what to put
    up.  I'm glad it's there for nobodies to give it a go!

    RE: 23
    
    It's much more difficult to find a unique identifiable style, so I
    say right on! mutate away and go for it again next year.

    
    Last night's competition was better than the previous semi-final rounds.
    I had expected this to be the toughest, with all the Berkelee players.
    The one to watch in the finals, in my opinion, is John Finn. He played
    magnificently, getting the loudest crowd response by far. John was last
    years second place winner in the finals. Perhaps this years winner?
    
    Also a finalist, was a girl, introduced as J.Somethingorother, who played
    very well. She told me she had placed in the top 15 finalist in last
    years L.A. Guitar Wars contest. Maybe in the top 5?
    
    Blues Sareceno opened the night with an awesome demonstration of his
    ability to play. Chris Sanzo, also a judge (again) finished off with
    some great classical stuff.
    
    Looking forward to next Tuesday's finals, at the Channel. Who's gonna
    go to see if it is more of a popularity contest, or if the best man
    wins contest? I know I'll be there. 
    
    Bob

    
    
    	I really feel for you, it sounds to me like the judges were very
    narrow minded although I'm only going by whats been said in here.
    
    	Not wishing to  start an argument but, I was slammed in this
    notesfile (classical topic I think) for my views on putting feeling in
    to classical pieces & not playing them too fast as is often the case
    these days,  I can play in overdrive mode if I have to but I like easing 
    sounds out gently & creating tension with space which takes me more time 
    to get right than ripping up & down a couple of scales.
    
    	What I'm saying is you'd have got my vote but there's a few fellow
    noters who may not have agreed....unless they've had a change of heart.
    
    Cheers
    		Pete.
    

    
    It was an awesome display of talent, giving the judges a difficult task
    of choosing the "Best in Boston". The judges I can remember were...
    Charlie Farren, from Farrenheit, Gary Pihl, From Sammy Hagar, and
    currently, Boston. Blues Sareceno, Chris Holmes, From Til Tuesday,
    a representative from "Guitar"  magazine, and one other judge. (sorry!)  
    
    In first place, winning the Sholz Rockman Monster amp, and other prizes,
    John Sheffield.
    Placing second, for the second year in a row, and winner of a Marshall
    stack...John Finn.
    Third, with an amazing display of jazz licks, chords, etc...
    Toma Fujita, winning a Mesa-Boogie MK3.
    Fourth, and winning a Takemine electric acoustic...
    Bill Bracken.
    I didn't get the 5th place finishers name, but he won an Ovation
    acoustic.
    
    A great show, with over 800 in attendance. Was it fair? I think so.
    All the players who placed in the top 5 were very talented guitarists.
    I would have selected a couple of others, but hey, I wasn't a judge.
    Nor would I want to be one. 
    
    Bob (who's gonna be even more tired tomorrow, after seeing Michael 
    Schenker play tonight, at Axis) 

    John Finn...2nd?
    
    NO WAY!  His last solo at Axis was a life-changing experience!
    Man, that dude should have won..WTF?
    
    Buck, who didn't make it
    
    PS - 2nd prize Marshall stack?  Hmmm, better than that Rockman thing.

    
    
    Charlie Farren was a judge?  Charlie was, and may still be, a DECCIE.
    
    Charlie, are you still here?  Can you give us any good info on how the
    judging went?
     
    Kevin
    
    
    
         

    Charlie's last day at DEC was last Friday...he's off to start
    pre-production work onm the next FH album!
    
    B.

Re: Charlie

too bad!

    Charlie was a DEC temp, I was talking to him at "Nostalgia" last
    friday, he says his contract is being picked back up in June.
    
                                                     Smokin Bass,
    
                                                            Dan . .
    .

       For whats its worth . . . its not Chris Holmes from Til Tuesday,
    its Robert Holmes from Ultra Blue, formally of Til Tuesday.  And
    I might as well give him a plug also . . . They'll be playing at
    Grovers in Beverly, Saturday night.  ;^)
    
       Just another little FYI,  at this years Boston Music awards,
    Robert was nominated along with Pat Methany and Joe Perry for  
    the best guitarist catagory.  Guess who won ???
    
    
    
    Joe Perry,  which just shows to go ya, its not how good you are,
    its how many records you sell !
    
                                                        Smokin' Bass,
    
                                                                   
                                                           Dan . . .

    -1
    
    Don't slack off JP so fast...Methany has won in the past, and I think
    it's about time they recognized Joe for his achievements!!  I mean,
    just think of what his guitar playing has DONE for Rock n Roll guitar!!
    
    Sheeesh

    Yeah Joe has contributed to my hearing problems twice now...he has yet
    to impress me though...
    
    dbii

    Normally I'm not very impressed with the guitarists in bands like
    Aerosmith - the music tends to be simple, the licks cliche, the
    technique average...
    
    But I can truly say that Joe strikes me as a bit more ambitious and
    artistic than the average rock band guitarist.  His chops are very
    good, if not astounding but he is INCREDIBLE at creating grooves,
    using different tones, and he may be the best guitar hook writer
    since Jimmy Page.
    
    I think he's incredibly talented, artistically ambitious and deserves
    recognition.
    
    Besides, I don't know how anyone can sensibly compare to fine guitar
    players in very different genres.  Music ain't sport.
    
    	db

      Ok, I get the idea, you need not rattle my fillings any further.
    However you have to realize that since Robert is a good friend of
    mine, and has invited me to the music awards and celebrity party
    for the past three years, that maybe, just maybe , my opinion is
    a tad biased.  I agree that Joe certainly melts into some serious
    grooves, but then again, grooves are where the blues are, and all
    that points to U - Blue.  Why not come to Grovers, saturday night
    and here for yourself ???
    
                                                        Smokin' Bass,
    
                                                                db3
    

    Another little FYI,  Robert must be better than Joe in some things
    at least . . .  since Joe's ex is now Roberts wife . . . ;^)  
    
    Just ringing out the dirty laundry . . .
    
    
                                                            db3

    If anyone is still listening.........I was a judge at the guitar finals
    and for the record let me just sat that music as competition is really
    stupid.  H ow someone plays music has little to do with how someone
    shows off on guitar for three minutes.  Also    most of those guys who
    made the finals ( or semi-finals for that matter ) probably have better
    chops than I ever will.  I think they have me in there because I play
    kind of a self accompanying comping style that is taylored to the way
    that I sing...and then the have Blues whose playing has nothing to do
    with singing songs....but what player!!  I think they want diversity in
    the judging......so no one style runs away with the  show...it really
    isn't supposed to be a heavy metal guitar contest, just a guitar
    contest.  IMO, too many guys started with a clean-ish classical derived
    thing, then stepped on the pedal, and played some big chords, followed
    by a million fast notes....none of the judges were digging that
    approach.  So when someone did something other than that, it stood out.
    
    the guy who won was a really good rock guitarist, in my opinion. he
    really had the right gutsy/technical/blues/fun/ who cares..mix, and
    that is what rock guitar is about.  you shouldn't come off like you're
    trying so hard to play good......just play.
    
    and finally....
    
    Robert Holmes is both my friend and a great player
    the same is true for Joe Perry....but it is apples and oranges.
    Joe's strong suit is inventing all those sick A-Smith riffs.  And he's
    the one that comes up with that stuff..it is not so much how he
    executes it, but that he thought it up at all. A better player would
    not make that stuff talk like Joe does...Robert is much more lyrical.
    Just as good in his own way.......
    
    i'm talking too much, and i'll shut up now.
    
    charlie f.

    
    	RE: Charlie
    
    	Don't shut up yet ... you're one of the few that actually
    	makes sense in this conference.  8^)
    
    	When you start rambling like Toenail, then you can shut up.
    
    	8^) 8^)
    
    	Seriously, though - does the winner play for "Ride 'Em High"?
    	If so, the kid really seems to know what he's doing without
    	resorting to Yngwie-style fret runs.
    
    							GTI
    
    

    Hey SLABOUNTY dosen't play guitar! HE's a MODERATOR fer Gawd sakes!
    Of the Heavy Metal conference! Good lord we all know how LAME that
    stuff is! Somebody get the Raid! Somebody yank the Black Flag!
    ACK! SOMEBODY CALL THE GUITAR POLICE!!!!!!!!
    
    	ToeNail 'I'm a ramblin man
    			a ramblin man"
    	who wouldn't have cut himself in the finals either!
    	Thanks that there even IS a guitar competition!
    		Just getting up for next year, at my age it'll take that
    long!  

    re: .45
    
    Charlie, I like your attitude. 
    
    Maybe next year I'll go.  I'm glad to hear the judges first priority
    was musicality and not athletics.
    
    	db