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GUITAR CENTER CROWNS
2005 GUITARMAGEDDON CHAMPION
— Tennessee’s Robert Provine Shreds His Way to a New Scion
xB,
Gibson ’59 Les Paul Reissue and $2,500 Guitar Center Shopping
Spree —
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, June 23, 2005 — Screaming
amps and sonic electricity merged Saturday night at the Wiltern LG Theater
during Guitar Center’s Guitarmageddon 2005 grand final competition.
Utilizing a percussion-inspired and funk-laden performance, Tennessee-native
Robert Provine blitzed the crowd with his finest chops to capture the
title of the nation’s best undiscovered guitarist.
For his efforts, Provine will drive away in a 2005 Scion
xB, loaded with a Gibson ‘59 Les Paul reissue, a $2,500 Guitar
Center shopping spree and a DVD/CD production package provided by Atlantic
Records, among other prizes.
Now in its sixth year, Guitarmageddon, the king of all
guitar competitions, continues to assemble the nation’s top undiscovered
guitarists while also bringing together some of music’s top professional
musicians to create one of the guitar world’s biggest events.
This year, the eight finalists shared the stage with Atlantic Records
recording artists Gratitude, the kids from the highly anticipated film
“Rock School,” and multi-platinum recording artists SUM
41, which laid out a special headlining performance.
“Guitarmageddon provides a platform for our most
talented customers to showcase their guitar skills,” said Jack
Sonni, vice president of marketing communication for Guitar Center.
“Guitar Center is thrilled to help undiscovered musicians jumpstart
their careers and connect with the music industry.”
Hailing from Brentwood, TN, 22-year-old Provine has been
playing guitar for nine years. He put on a sizzling performance Saturday
that included a mix of traditional guitar licks and innovative “beat
box” percussion. In fact, the young phenomenon attributed the
inspiration from his championship performance to Nashville guitarists/brothers
Regi and Victor Wooten.
“I know them (The Wootens) real well…I hang
out with them a lot and try and pick up anything I can from them,”
said Provine. “There were a lot of great players tonight, so I
tried to be innovative with a beat box sound. I didn’t think anyone
would do anything like that, so I guess it worked.”
Robert was selected from more than 3,000 undiscovered
guitarists nationwide who participated in the four-tiered competition
that began in March. In the eyes of judges Dan Estrin from Hoobastank,
John 5 from Marilyn Manson, Dave Bakash of SUM 41, and Warren Fitzgerald
of The Vandals, Provine excelled in the categories of originality, technique,
style, stage presence and overall performance.
“Guitarmageddon allows guitarists to get out there
and show their skills,” said Provine. “I’d like to
give Guitar Center a big thank you for this great event.”
Sponsors of Guitar Center’s 2005 Guitarmageddon
competition included Scion, Revolver magazine, XM Satellite Radio, Atlantic,
Marshall, Gibson, Practice Tracks, Guitar World magazine, and the Guitar
Center Credit Card.
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the nation's leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers,
percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment.
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., the company presently operates
146 Guitar Center stores, with 120 stores in 48 major markets and 26
stores in secondary markets across the U.S. In addition, the Music &
Arts division operates 77 retail locations specializing in band instruments
for sale and rental, serving thousands of teachers, band directors,
college professors and students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct
response retailer of musical instruments in the U.S. through its wholly
owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site,
www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found
by visiting www.guitarcenter.com.
For further information on Guitar Center, contact Neilson/Clyne
at (615) 662-1616,
or log onto
www.neilsonclyne.com.