Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues Launches Sixth Annual Nationwide Search for the Next Great Undiscovered Blues Guitarist

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitar Center, the world's largest musical instrument retailer, continues its ongoing support of and commitment to aspiring artists with the launch of the sixth annual Battle of the Blues competition. The search to find the next great undiscovered blues guitarist begins today. Aspiring blues guitarists can sign-up at any Guitar Center location across the country to enter for the chance to win over $50,000 in prizes which includes $25,000 cash, gear from Gibson, Epiphone, Egnater, Shure, Ernie Ball, and Boss, plus studio time with Grammy Award-winning producer Pete Anderson. Six finalists will be handpicked to perform for a panel of celebrity judges at the Battle of the Blues finals in Los Angeles, CA, playing alongside acclaimed blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120402/LA80042)

To enter Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues visit www.guitarcenter.com/battleoftheblues

"Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues is more than a celebration of the blues guitar, it's an opportunity to unmask the multitude of undiscovered artists out there," said Joe Bonamassa. "Each years' contestants have raised the bar on the level of talent and I'm looking forward to an even higher caliber of competition this year."

To hear Joe Bonamassa's tips for contestants visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S2tn8Tcgo8

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

"Battle of the Blues is a great example of Guitar Center's commitment to providing musicians across the country with the tools and opportunities that enable them to network with a musical community, expose their music to large audiences and attain recognition for their skills," said Maria Brown, Manager of Music and Entertainment Marketing for Guitar Center.

Local preliminary competitions will be held at each of the 230 Guitar Center locations nationwide, beginning May 8th. Each contestant will be required to perform one live guitar solo from the thirty five original backing tracks varying in different blues styles provided and developed by Grammy Award-winning producer/guitarist, Pete Anderson (all backing tracks are available for free download at www.guitarcenter.com/battleoftheblues).

One winner from each store finals competition will be chosen to move up to district competitions (hosted at 26 Guitar Center locations nationwide), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations). The winners from these 6 semi-final locations will convene in Los Angeles, CA to compete in the Battle of the Blues grand finals in front of a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges. The solos from these 6 finalists will provide an exciting opening act for a highly anticipated performance from world-renowned guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

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 Joe Bonamassa

As Joe Bonamassa grows his reputation as one of the world's greatest guitar players, he is also evolving into a charismatic blues-rock star and singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. His new album Driving Towards The Daylight is his "lucky" 13th. It was produced by Kevin Shirley and features special guests including Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford. Driving Towards The Daylight is a balanced back-to-basics album that highlights Bonamassa's signature style of roots blues with rock-and-roll guts, while honoring the traditions of the original blues musicians.

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.

The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

SOURCE Guitar Center