Vancouver Guitarist Don Alder Becomes First Canadian to Win Title of Guitar
Superstar Champion
VANCOUVER, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - At the 6th Annual Guitar Superstar competition in Livermore, California last weekend, Don Alder became the first Canadian ever to win the top spot as the coveted title of Guitar Superstar, and received the only standing ovation of the night. Celebrity judges included Dokken guitarist George Lynch,Gary Hoey, Reeves Gabrels, who played guitar for David Bowie for 10 years, and Elliott Easton, guitarist for The Cars.
Lynch said Alder's "performance was transcendental - it was beautiful" while Hoey said "the world needs to hear you." Reeves said "you drew us in" and Easton said "not only what you did on guitar was amazing, you entertained us".
"Even though Don stepped onto the Guitar Superstar stage as a solo-acoustic performer, he played with ferocity and charisma, and totally owned the eyes and ears of the audience," said Guitar Player Editor-in-Chief Michael Molenda. "And that's what a guitar star does. It isn't just about technique and tone, you also have to deliver something so thrilling that people can't help but stand up and cheer. Don nailed it."
Molenda also said that Guitar Player's Guitar Superstar competition was conceived not just as an American Idol-type battle for guitarists, but also as a vehicle to promote and evangelize transcendent guitar playing across the globe.
Alder's impressive list of accomplishments include more than one million video views on YouTube and two industry nominations in 2009 for his CD, Not a Planet.
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Media Contact: Don Alder, 778.296.1523, [email protected]
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