Connecticut | Delaware | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Martyrdom | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | West Virginia
Hey guys,..Linda & I went to see "King of the Blues" round 2 last nite.
This time we went to a different store, the one on 14th street in NYC.
As soon as we walked in we noticed a totally different atmosphere,
more professional, more serious, more intense. The players were older,
no kids this time around. They had 3-professional judges this time,
(not one old guitar teacher & some guy who just walked in).One was Rob Paris (a famous studio musician ) the winner from last years contest,and another famous dude who played with Alice Cooper,Bowie,etc. The contestants were all dressed for the part...
cowboy boots & hats,leather pants or vest's,all dressed to kill...
I met a girl who worked there(whom I knew from 04 Guitarmeggadon contest),Jesse. She recognized me and asked if I was gonna play.
I explained what happened in Queens and she was shocked at how poorly that contest was judged and ran. She immediately got the sales manager, and I told him what happened, and that I'd like to try to play again at the NYC store...He was also shocked and called the District Manager,and told him what happened. After a lenghty conversation,it was said that the rules were you could only play in one store...BUT I was put on "Stand By"for the next 2-auditions..and if by chance a player didn't show up, I could take his place.
I just had to say what happened and to say thank you to Jesse and Bill at the NYC GC.
I know my abilities, and my limitations. I just want a fair chance.
I realize my musical knowledge and skills are limited, and I know how far I expect to go at this contest.
I just want the chance to express my musical emotions and feelings,
and be judged by QUALIFIED people, who love playing as much as I do.
Sorry for such a long rant..but I had a lot to say..and I love you guys for supporting me. Next year I'll play at NYC...
Location: Probably talking that police officer out of giving you a summons! ========== The Beautiful Lower Hudson Valley, NY
With the level of passion that I read in your post and the way they ran the Queens contest, you deserve another chance, even if they have to bend the rules. Good luck, Billy.
With the level of passion that I read in your post and the way they ran the Queens contest, you deserve another chance, even if they have to bend the rules. Good luck, Billy.
Charlie
Thanks Charlie....
I know life isn't always fair. I beleive in fate, if it was meant to be it would be. I know the limits of my abilities, but to get overlooked by some so-called "judges" when you can clearly see the crowd was blown away by my performance was disheartening..But I have overcome much greater challenges in my life, so this will only make me stronger and wiser!!!!
Thanks again!!!!!
I hope you get another chance dude. That is pretty cool. I like the confidence you have in yourself..
Playing NYC is no joke. You gotta be able to cut it or go home..
What kinda guitars do you own?
Hope you enjoyed the video, that was pretty much what I played at the contest to the track on the CD that was given to the contestants.
I have quite the Guitarsenal...
Fender Stratocaster....fully hot rodded,pickups,bridge etc.
63 Gibson SG...my 1st guitar,fully orginal,including case...
2-Jackson DK2's ..1 with after burner,other flamed & modified...
Rhandy Rhodes RR1...
Jackson Warrior...
Parker Fly...very wierd guitar....
3 or 4 LTD's ...2 are like Les Pauls,others detuned or drop D-tuned..
and my all time FAVORITE,(the one I'm playin' in the video)
my STEVE VAI Ibanez JEM...
I only play electric...have TONS of pedal effects, amps etc.
I don't even OWN an acoustic guitar...
Play by ear, completely self taught, never had a lesson, usually I listen to songs and figure out how to play them by ear...
Thanks for the compliments!!!! There's always next year!!!!
Location: For the strength of the pack is the wolf . . . . . . and the strength of the wolf is the pack.
Billy,
If it means anything, there's a short fat old bald guy from the Bronx that now lives in Jersey, who can't play anything more than a CD or and MP3 file, who believes in you and is pulling for you.
If it means anything, there's a short fat old bald guy from the Bronx that now lives in Jersey, who can't play anything more than a CD or and MP3 file, who believes in you and is pulling for you.
Location: ...Southampton, PA I love you & miss you Linda
Quote:
Originally Posted by billystro
Hope you enjoyed the video, that was pretty much what I played at the contest to the track on the CD that was given to the contestants.
Yea man, I dug the video. Pretty cool stuff and I like the guitars....
I don't play much anymore but still have my pieces.
Check em out.
Click for pics ===> Picture 1Picture 2
Left to right
1962 Stratocaster - Rosewood fingerboard
1969 Les Paul, fitted with Seymour Duncan PAF's 23 years ago
Ibanez junker (won it in a contest) but not all that bad
1981 Takamine EF-349 Acoustic (also electric)
Yea man, I dug the video. Pretty cool stuff and I like the guitars....
I don't play much anymore but still have my pieces.
Check em out.
Click for pics ===> Picture 1Picture 2
Left to right
1962 Stratocaster - Rosewood fingerboard
1969 Les Paul, fitted with Seymour Duncan PAF's 23 years ago
Ibanez junker (won it in a contest) but not all that bad
1981 Takamine EF-349 Acoustic (also electric)
Owned all four since they were new......
Dude...what happened with Linda?...I feel your pain....I've lost way too many good people in my life also....my brother in a car accident nearly 30 years ago...and both parents very recently....too many good people go too soon....I'm so sorry....it all comes out in my playing......
Yea man, I dug the video. Pretty cool stuff and I like the guitars....
I don't play much anymore but still have my pieces.
Check em out.
Click for pics ===> Picture 1Picture 2
Left to right
1962 Stratocaster - Rosewood fingerboard
1969 Les Paul, fitted with Seymour Duncan PAF's 23 years ago
Ibanez junker (won it in a contest) but not all that bad
1981 Takamine EF-349 Acoustic (also electric)
Owned all four since they were new......
I go back and forth with my playing...almost made it way back when...
got ripped off by a crooked manager...stole all our material... band mates moved...could never get the chemistry back...I play hot & heavy for a while...then don't touch it again for a few years....too many things get in the way....play a contest...put it down again....
You know how it goes.....
Location: ...Southampton, PA I love you & miss you Linda
Quote:
Originally Posted by billystro
I go back and forth with my playing...almost made it way back when...
got ripped off by a crooked manager...stole all our material... band mates moved...could never get the chemistry back...I play hot & heavy for a while...then don't touch it again for a few years....too many things get in the way....play a contest...put it down again....
You know how it goes.....
Corvette Store
Went to Guitar Center to see Round 2.....
