Michael Kelsey Wins Guitarmageddon

Indiana native (and Folk Alley artist) Michael Kelsey won Guitarmageddon at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival on June 5. Kelsey competed in the national finals against five other regional winners of the contest that began in March with local trials in stores operated by sponsor Guitar Center. As grand prizewinner, Kelsey won the chance to play the mainstage at Cotton Bowl Stadium during the Crossroads Festival, following the performance of guitar legend Steve Vai. He also picked up a 2004 Honda Element, a Gibson Custom Shop Guitar, and a $2,500 Guitar Center shopping spree. This is the fifth year for the contest, which is open to unsigned guitar players who compete using criteria based on musicality in song context, technique, dynamics, stage presence, and originality. The grand prizewinner is selected by a panel of all-star celebrity judges. Judge Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder bassist) said about Kelsey, “He won me over because he was original, he was having a lot of fun, and his whole approach was completely fresh.”