Guitar store to sponsor friendly competition for charity
As two of their guitar lesson students started jamming in Fat Cat Guitars one day, cutting heads against each other, trying to see who was the best, their instructors got an idea.
"They're both great kids and great guitar players so we certainly couldn't pick one," said Fat Cat's Kate Darling Bond. "But it did get us thinking."
The folks at Fat Cat decided to hold a guitar competition that also would be a fundraiser.
Saturday, the Randall Road business is hosting a Shred Head Challenge, which will feature musicians competing for more than $4,000 in prizes, including a chance to win a day at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.
During the competition, contestants are asked to perform a three-minute music solo guitar piece. You can expect to hear anything from jazz to classical, but there can be no accompaniment.
"Shred Head isn't just about how many notes you can play - it's about experiencing the satisfaction of challenging and expressing yourself while doing something good for someone else. It's also a chance for community residents who may not be familiar with us to come out, take a look, and have some fun," Bond said.
The winner in the 18-plus age category will win the day at the fantasy camp, which will feature a day of instruction, jamming and rehearsing with the likes of Gilby Clarke of Guns 'n' Roses, Kip Winger and more, followed by a live performance Aug. 9 at the House of Blues.
There also will be several other prizes in the 10 to 13, 14 to 17, and 18-plus age categories, including shirts, pedals and a new guitar.
The spots are filling up fast, but there still is time to enter, Bond said.
Everyone who competes is asked to donate $5 and a new school or art supply. The cash will be donated to Dundee-Crown High School as seed money for its new guitar club, and the school supplies will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin.
"This competition is an opportunity for area players of almost any age to come out and compete in a friendly way for free gear and other prizes," Bond said. "It's a chance for kids, teens and adults to experience the thrill of performance and competition in a supportive environment white benefiting a really great cause.
"We strongly encourage people to sign up in advance if they want to compete. People who aren't registered but still want to compete can come by the store on Aug. 2 and if there's time we'll get them in, but the only way to positively secure a spot in the challenge is to sign up in advance."
To sign up, call Fat Cat at (847) 844-8844 or stop by the Carpentersville store.
The competition begins at 2 p.m. for the 10 to 13 age group, 4 p.m. for the 14 to 17 age group and 6 p.m. for those 18 and older.
Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.