Burlap and Blues, The Blues Blog

Gone but not forgotten.

This year has had a wider variety of interest than most years. Usually the blues players are lined up to jam away at KOTB, but this year, at least at Rockford, there has been a wider variety of players than I have ever seen. The competition is getting better, but there are some definite differences.

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Well, after tomorrow night, there will be no more chances to throw your hat in the ring. You have some time to get signed up, if there are spots available. I know that there are spots available at some Guitar Center's, so go for it.

Members at Burlap and Blues have had a very strong showing this year. Congrats to those who have already made it to the store finals, and good showing for those who did not.

I heard this on the radio this morning. That was such an 80's event.

Interesting facts from the archives..

7 million people participated.

It cost $10 to participate

5 million of those who participated did not pay to participate.

Do you remember what you were doing... I don't.

For how long did we envision a player who never got tired..

Some one who could jam forever

and then some

well here he is...

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This is my third attempt to have some success at Guitar Center's King of the Blues contest.

One of the things that I find interesting is the multiple comments across the internet about people who should have won, bad judging.

Well in life, you get what you get. If you work at it, make your own success and try not to rely on the feelings of others. One judges opinion will not be the opinion of others.

If you make it through in Guitar Centers King of the Blues, join our forum and let us know how you did it!

Well, today is the day that I get to perform in Rockford. Took the day off work to just chill. My mother's birthday today. Maybe I can win one for her!

Decided on Funky Woman... What an odd name for a tune. Sounds like something out of a horror movie.

Speaking of horror movies and Funky Woman, here is my inspiration for playing the blues over Funky Woman. When the movie "Twister" came out, my wife and I decided to see the movie. She enjoys movies, I am not really a big fan of movies because the screen is too big, I like to look away because I feel like I am falling. Twister was a graphic movie for it's day with tornadoes whipping cows around, etc.

We always get where we are going early, and like always, we got to the movie, got our popcorn, got a comfortable seat. About 5 minutes after the movie started a middle aged gal sat next to us. Unfortunate for me, she smelled like she hadn't showered for 3 months. As longs as she sat still, it was tolerable while I was eating my popcorn, but every time she moved I could smell this funky smell. Not only was the movie making me dizzy, I could hardly breathe...

Now them's the blues for sure...

This week it is my turn to perform at the local GC for KOTB 2010. As of today I will finally pick the song that I want to do. I have narrowed it down to 3, and there are things that I like about each one of the tunes. I have band practice tonight and there is a possibility that I have an open mic on Wednesday also, which could throw me off, or just get my mind off overthinking, which I always do.

The first 2 years I did KOTB, I mapped out each note that I played. The first year I mapped out every note, played it dead on with no emotion or stage presence. It was not good at all.

Last year I mapped out each note, had a great deal of fun and was beat fair and square. I did not allow myself any freedom.

This year I am just going over the track a few hundred times, each time it is different. I am remembering what I like and what I do not like, so hopefully on Thursday I will be playing all the things I like, and not what I do not like.

Burlap and Blues has updated it's forums to include more services for it's members, including simple music posting in our forum. We allow our users to upload and link to basically an unlimited amount of music that they have rights too. If you are a blues player, join our forum and share some of your tunes with us!

I had the opportunity to watch competitors at Rockford Illinois Guitar Center during the first round last night. There were a wide variety of players, quite a few I had seen in previous years at KOTB. There was definitely less people in the crowd watching, which was unusual, but they were in to it. The MC accidentally told the contestants the prize had increased to $250,000, but the store manager quickly corrected her... Darn, A quarter of a mil from GC, that would have been cool.

Check out the BAB forums for great conversation and good luck to week 2 people. (especially those in Rockford, here I come!)

Right about now, several people in Rockford have performed. This post is being automatically generated about 30 minutes after the excitement has started. Out on the Eastern coast, KOTB 2010 round 1 is either over or close to being over.

How did your karaoke session go?

Please take video of you performance of the Guitar Center's King of the Blues, 2010.

Upload to youtube, and send me a link
http://burlapandblues.com/contactbab.php

I would love to put you on our Blues Blog, even if you are NOT a member of BAB. If you see an interesting video that you would like to comment on, also let me know and I will put it up and let the whole world know.

Burlap and Blues, the unofficial official forum of the Guitar Center King of the Blues 2010

I am getting tired of hearing do this and do that to prevent a heart attack.

Here is a list for those who want to increase the risk of heart attack..

1. Ensure that you butter your bacon boy.. Homer Simpson is a genius!

2. Smoke those non filter high tar cigarettes. If tar is good enough for the road, it has to be good for your lungs.

3. Don't exercise, let someone else worry about that. Sweat stinks anyway.

okay.. I joke, but we all should know what to do to stay healthy. Log in to BAB each day for your vitamin BAB!

In 2009, Guitar center brought back King of the Blues. Following that announcement, Burlap and Blues saw a 750% increase in traffic mostly searching for "Guitar center" or "King of the blues." This year we have only seen a 200% increase in searching for the same terms.

Unfortunately I do beleive that the overall interest in this contest has significantly. With searches for King of the Blues bringing up mostly articles about last year, there is only one site, and one forum in the top 10 search results. With the changes to Harmony Central's site, I could not find any forums or articles about KOTB, but I do know they exist.

What I am trying to say is maybe I have a shot this year because all the good competition is up and left...

If you are not ready, you are not ready.

If you are playing on Thursday and you have not picked out a song, you need to get some time in.

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Wow, again I find myself trying to get excited about KOTB 2010 and I cannot find myself going there. I had a chance last night to listen to one of the kids I am competing against. This kid is a 16 year old phenom and I have a ton to work on in the next few weeks. He signed up to compete against me personally..

I feel like I should just walk in and get my stuff and walk out without playing..

maybe we could have BAB shirts this year

It seems that for some people, they work all week to strive to achieve Friday status. Friday is a good day for me most of the time, unless I have more to do on the weekend than there is time for. So, happy Friday to all!

I just can't seem to get myself beefed up and hyped up for this years Guitar Center KOTB. In the past I just counted the days until the performance and worked on polishing what I had done. This year I just feel like it becomes another check mark on the gig calendar of life... Not sure that my heart is in it as much as it could. It could also be that I have 3 other very important gigs to do this month.

Two weeks from today... That's when I give it my all. One week until the whole things starts.

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No, today has nothing to do with Sinkholes, or with five packages of mayonnaise from Subway. It is a grand celebration for some. Celebrate safely and have fun!

Just a little over a week till KOTB 2010, make sure you have your track picked out and if you are not signed up, sign up quickly so you can get a chance for your share of great prizes, or maybe not (LOL), but maybe we'll get the 15% card this year!

Stay tuned to BAB blues blog for many upcoming reviews. Here are some of the products we are working on right now. Pick Punch, Seagull Acoustic Guitars, Analogman Modified DS-1.