On a tip from Charlie Hilbert, I have just created a band page for myself at the "Ernie Ball presents 'Play Crossroads'" site. I am gunning for the chance to open Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden on April 12th. I have checked the official rules posted on the website, and they don't say anything about competitors having to play guitar.
I'm asking you to visit my band page and cast your vote.
This is all a joke, of course--there's no way a guy like me can win this thing--and yet....well, there's that "Crossroads Blues" video, with its easy-to-hear homage to Clapton's playing with Cream. There's a 54 year old harmonica player sitting at a trapset. I have no doubts about my ability, if chosen, to deliver a massive sound on gig night.
So go ahead. Visit my page and cast your vote. Let's show the guitar players that we're here and ready to rumble. Thanks in advance for your support.
[Edited to add: I've decided not to flirt with outright disqualification as a non-guitarist. Instead, I've changed the band page to Satan & Adam. I want Sterling by my side as we hit the Garden stage.]
done. and i also don't think it's silly. on the off chance that you were chosen, it'd be a great thing not just for our harp community, but for the larger music scene as well. might open some eyes.
and i also have no doubt about your ability to bring big sound to this.
Although the official rules on the Ernie Ball site don't mention that the competitor must be a guitarist, if you access things through the main Crossroads Blues Festival site...well, you've gotta be a guitarist:
For the record, here is what it currently says on the playcrossroads site:
Artists:
Play Crossroads is 100% free to enter!
To enter Play Crossroads, artists must complete a short informational profile and then upload at least one MP3. Entrants should use the Promotional Toolkit provided on each band profile, to promote their entry all over the web and drive traffic to their profile.
The Top 100 overall rated artists will be eligible to win a slot to play live at Madison Square Garden. All 100 artists will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals comprised of our partners, Crossroads Guitar Festival Organizers, and Ernie Ball Inc.
One Artist will be chosen to perform live on stage at the Madison Square Garden Crossroads Guitar Festival.
The winning artist will earn the opportunity to perform live on the Madison Square Garden Stage in front of thousands of fans alongside main stage headliners.
Prize pack for the winning artist also includes:
• Performance Slot on the Main Stage of the 2013 Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival at the world renowned Madison Square Garden. • Ernie Ball String Package and Endorsement • Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar Endorsement
What is Buzz Rating?
Buzz Rating is a proprietary system developed by Ernie Ball. Buzz Rating gives you a real time snap shot of each band's overall exposure level. Taking into account both viral reach and real world factors that produce a 1-100 rating system giving you an accurate reading on each band's relevance within the industry. Fans:
Show your support for your favorite artist by going to their page and leaving your name in their support window.
Other ways to show your support would be to "Like" their Facebook Fan Page, Tweet about them on Twitter, or play their songs on the Play Crossroads band profile to help boost their rating. " _____________________________________________________
What's amazing about the playcrossroads/info/rules page is that it doesn't even occur to these guitar-mad people that the fing RULES page doesn't once mention the word "guitar" or "guitarist." It's just assumed.
Let's show them. I will be the harmonica world's guided missle launched into the heart of guitarnarcissism-dom.
Done. It will be tough sledding being a harmonica player. But if you get enough votes it could catch Clapton's attention and get you some session work or maybe even some tour dates with him.
Done! Very excellent. (Well, it does say GUITAR Festival -- so good luck with the judges who won't want to "betray" their constituency!! -- honoarble mention? -- with a slot at the show?)
@kudzu: Curious, but OT -- what is the connection between "bend to our will" and the Buddha? I got the 'don't reify the feelings in the moment" Buddha connection in your blues ethos talk.
Furthermore, it doesn't state that you have to play guitar to compete. So even if it is assumed that a guitar player has to win, you'd technically be eligible still. ---------- Custom Harmonicas Optimized Harmonicas
Done proudly. I can't think of anyone I'd rather send in to represent "harmonica" as it applies to the blues. -Bob Hamilton
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2013 9:24 AM
I voted yesterday, but I can's see what would stop me from voting again today? Is that against the rules? If not, I'll definitely vote once a day until the deadline.... ----------
Ah! So as I understand it, playing the song in the embedded player as well as clicking the support button to enter your name and email address are ways to increase support. Sharing/liking on Facebook are also ways to up support.
And the top 100 most supported artists will be judged.
The "Buzz" rating is something Ernie Ball is trying to sell to the music industry. This contest is a way of showing that it works. Whatever. Go Adam!
Actually, I have an idea: Why shouldn't I change the name on my page to Satan & Adam, and include a live video of the two of us doing "Crossroads Blues" along with the other video?
That way, we won't be subject to the "he's not a guitarist" toss-out. And if you stop and think about it, it would be amazing to have Mister Satan himself gracing the Madison Square Garden stage for the Crossroads Blues Festival.
