We are excited to announce Daniel "Boscoe" France from Madisonville, KY, as the winner of our Battle of the Blues competition. The search to find the next great undiscovered blues guitarist began in April with over 4,000 aspiring blues guitarists entering 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 valued at over $50,000.
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 thestudio for a recording session with Anderson. Other judges on hand included Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and guitar player for The Meters… Leo Nocentelli; graduate from the Berklee College of Music and saxophonist for some of the best in the jazz and blues world including Keb' Mo'… Mindi Abair; 2009 King of the Blues finalist, lead guitarist for Beth Hart, and guitar player for Shania Twain… Josh Gooch; 2010 King of the Blues winner and 2012 Ameriblues "Best Upcoming Artist"… Randy Scott; and editor at Guitar Player magazine plus chair of the Guitar Program at Musicians Institute… Jude Gold.
Check back for photos from the event as well as videos from the other 5 finalists, Joe Bonamassa, and Dr. John.