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Guitar heroes aim to be next Rory Gallagher
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
enlargeA nationwide search is to get under way this month to find Ireland’s next Rory Gallagher.
Young musicians under the age of 17 are being offered the chance to show off their guitar skills in a bid to win the late and legendary musician’s Fender tribute Stratocaster.
A total of 15 budding guitar heroes will be selected through open auditions to take part in an RTE show.
The Guitar, due to air in September, will see the 15 take to the stage to perform for the first time on this extraordinary guitar. The performances will air on television and then online so viewers can vote for who they think is the best guitarist. The winner will walk away with the coveted guitar.
In 1997, Rory’s brother Donal met Fender Custom Shop designers at LA International Airport and gave them a gig bag holding Rory’s worn-to-the-wood 1961 Stratocaster guitar. Fender initially built 40 clones for the European market and was subsequently besieged with requests for more.
The Rory Gallagher Tribute Stratocaster is an exact replica of that revered instrument, right down to the worn three-Color Sunburst alder body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. Even five Sperzel tuners and one Gotoh tuner have been included, and the 12-fret dot marker has been replaced with white plastic instead of the original clay.
It also features three custom-wound 60s single-coil pick-ups, aged chrome hardware, 21 jumbo frets and a bone nut.
Guitarists who think they have got what it takes to step into the shoes of a master are being invited to take part in open auditions.
These will be held in Marcus Music, Belfast, on April 23. Those who can’t make the auditions can upload a sample video onto the website which goes online on April 15. Participants must have parental consent and be aged 17 or under on October 1, 2009.
In Video: Rory Gallagher in concert
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My name is Don and I live in the United States, Jackonsville, North Carolina. I first listened to Rory's music while working at the American Embassy in the nation of Malta--U.S. Marine I am. From that point on, I have never looked at any other blues guitar player as I do Rory. I listening and watch his music daily and lord knows I wish he was still here today dammit. I am now 51 years of age and, daily, watch his videos on You Tube. I love all his music, his soulful playing and will arrive in Cork to pay my respects to the greatest guitar player in all of the world. It's a must. I miss him and will never forget him as long as I am alive on this earth. He is my number one.
Posted by Don | 09.05.09, 21:16 GMT
where do i get information on how to enter competition
young player
rory innerd
Posted by guitar heroes | 21.04.09, 20:15 GMT
whatever we can say here, it will be repeated in our children's generation as there was only one great white blues guitarist, as rory gallagher and I am privilged to have shook his hand, met his family and shared a great touch to us visitors on earth
anthony innerd
sweden
thanks donal for being beside him
Posted by guitar heroes | 21.04.09, 19:43 GMT
At long last - thank God - Rory's finally being acknowledged for the talent he was, it's a shame that most Irish kids have never heard of Rory, they have heard of Hendrix etc... It was, to quote, Donal Gallagher ..."as if Rory was being airbrushed out of Irish Music" I say Rory Gallagher is Irish Music - he didn't need musical or stage effects, outrageous clothes & stupid sunglasses to be the greatest guitarist and most charismatic performer ever. If I were to give advice to these young musicians entering this competition - if you want to be like Rory - musical talent is a requirement - but do not forget you must be respectful,reverent, humble etc... and you must not let any record company control your music or your life and don't allow any media fat cats to jump on the band wagon and exploit your success for their commercial gain. I would suggest talk to greats like Pat McManus and Barry Barnes and of course Donal Gallagher. A pilgrimage to Ballyshannon at the end of May is advised.
Posted by Bernard Kavanagh | 18.04.09, 22:37 GMT
That would be great but a little more information on the Web Site thats supposed to be on line please.... I have tried to find it but have had no luck so far.
Posted by Jim Byrne | 18.04.09, 20:48 GMT