ERIC BREWER brings the rock and the funk at the 2008 Guitar Player Magazine Guitar Superstar competition. Hosted by Andy Summers, the event was held September 13, 2008, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California. The backing band is Thud Factor, featuring bassist Jonathan Herrera, keyboardist Eric Levy, drummer John Mader, and guitarist Jude Gold.\r
\r
The Grand Prize winner -- Guitar Superstar 2008 -- was Vicki Genfan, \r
\r
Judges included Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliot Easton, Brendon Small, and George Lynch. \r
\r
Finalists were rated on technique, creativity, charisma, and overall vibe. Prizes included a feature article in Guitar Player, and a bevy of wonderful prizes from event sponsors such as Mesa/Boogie, Moog Music, Epiphone, ZZYZX Snapjack Cables, Bugera Amps, Audio-Technica, Auralex, CAD Microphones, Carr Amps, Collings Guitars, Cruz Tools, Dunlop Manufacturing, Essential Sound Products, Fulltone, Keeley Electronics, King Amplification, Magix, Mono Cases, N-Tune Peterson, ProTone Pedals, Reeves Amplification, Reverend Guitars, Shreddies, Villex Electronics, and Westheimer/Cort.\r
\r
THE 2008 FINALISTS:\r
\r
Eric Barnett\r
Sonoma, CA\r
\r
Eric Brewer\r
Erie, PA\r
\r
Mark Christian\r
Los Angeles, CA\r
\r
Vicki Genfan\r
Fairview, NJ\r
2008 WINNER!\r
\r
Makana\r
Honolulu, HI\r
SECOND RUNNER-UP\r
\r
Daddo Oreskovich\r
Chicago, IL\r
FIRST RUNNER-UP\r
\r
Michael Orlando\r
Staten Island, NY\r
\r
Dan Peters\r
Morton Grove, IL\r
\r
Ben Robinson\r
Jacksonville, FL\r
\r
The Guy\r
Norwalk, CT