Daniel "Boscoe" France Named Winner of Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitar Center is excited to announce Daniel "Boscoe" France from Madisonville, KY, as the winner of Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues competition. The search to find the next great undiscovered blues guitarist began in April when over 4,000 aspiring blues guitarists entered to compete in the store preliminaries at 231 Guitar Center locations nationwide. This past Saturday's Grand Finals wrapped up the competition with a night full of riveting performances as the top six guitarists vied for the Grand Prize.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120820/LA59773)

During the Battle of the Blues final at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, the six talented finalists shared the stage with world-renowned blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and Grammy Award Winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. John, where the legendary New Orleans "Nite Tripper" and acclaimed guitar virtuoso performed live. Also in attendance at the grand finals was Grammy Award Winning Producer Pete Anderson, who served on the panel of judges and led the backing band which accompanied the finalists performances. As part of the Grand Prize, France will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to head into the studio for a recording session with Anderson.

"I am honored to have been chosen as Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues champion," said Daniel France. "Blues music has been a passion my entire life, and it's an amazing feeling to be recognized for something I care so deeply about. I never dreamt I would share the stage with guitar legends like Dr. John and Joe Bonamassa -- The whole experience was unforgettable, and now to be able to record with Pete Anderson – I can't wait. Keep the Blues alive!"

Watch France's winning performance here: http://youtu.be/8rYCsZY9aKM

Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues Grand Prize Package (Valued at more than $50,000) Includes:

• $25,000 Cash
• Studio Session with Grammy Award Winning Producer Pete Anderson
• Gibson Custom Les Paul '59 Reissue or 335 '59 Reissue (winner's choice)
• Epiphone 1965 Elitist Casino
• Egnater Full Stack (winner's choice of Egnater Head plus two matching cabinets: Renegade, Tourmaster, Vengeance, or Armageddon)
• Egnater Rebel-30 112 HG Combo
• Boss GT-10 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
• Winner's Choice of 2 Boss Single Stomp Pedals
• Endorsement Deals from Gibson, Ernie Ball, Boss, Shure, and Egnater
• $1,000 in gear from Fret Rest, Road Runner, and Live Wire (winner's choice)
• Shure Artist Package (includes a Shure ULXD14 Digital Wireless Guitar System and Shure 520DX 'Green Bullet' Harmonica Microphone)
• Feature in Guitar World Magazine

"All of the finalists are immensely skilled and came to the Grand Finals with inspired performances for a night that truly celebrated Blues Music," said Maria Brown, Manager of Music and Entertainment Marketing for Guitar Center. "We look forward to continuing to support these musicians and provide them with the tools to succeed and opportunities to be recognized for their talent.  Boscoe is sure to provide inspiration for aspiring guitarists nationwide."

Daniel France, known to fans as "Boscoe," walked onto the stage barefoot at the Grand Finals last Saturday night, but it was his command of the fretboard that drew the attention of the judges. Performing an impressive Freddie King-style blues shuffle, France proved to everyone watching that his knowledge and love of the blues would make him a frontrunner in the competition. The 35-year-old bluesman's Kentucky roots lend him a bluegrass sensibility, and weekly gigs in Kentucky have helped refine his skills. Already a fixture on the Madisonville, KY music scene, blues fans nationwide are sure to take notice as France reigns as this year's champion of Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues.

Guitar Center Finalists: Where Are They Now
Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues has a history of changing the lives of its finalists. Hacienda Heights guitarist Randy Scott had hung up his axe for nearly a decade, but at the encouragement of his local Guitar Center rep, he opted to enter the 2010 King of the Blues competition, rather than selling his guitar and closing the door on his passion forever. Scott went on to win the competition, and he now earns a living doing what he loves, crediting Guitar Center for steering him back toward the blues. Blues guitarist Kirby Kelley, the 2009 King of the Blues, is also testimony to Guitar Center's support of aspiring artists as he was selected to play at the Eric Clapton-curated Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010, where he opened for the legend himself.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 216 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

SOURCE Guitar Center