July 2000
Guitarmageddon 2000 Winner Michael Lawlor is Crowned Best Amateur Guitarist in the Nation

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - Guitar Center, the largest music retailer in the world, and Fender Guitars joined together to host the "Ultimate Guitar Showdown," GUITARMAGEDDON 2000. Exciting competitions took place at local Guitar Centers across the nation. In the end, Michael Lawlor of Newton, NJ came out on top, according to Mike Vizvary, Guitar Center's Vice President of Marketing Communications.

"Guitar Center has continually shown its commitment to aspiring musicians by assisting them on their road to fame with opportunities such as GUITARMAGEDDON," said Vizvary. "This intense competition brought out some of the best musicians in the country, and after a tough grand final session, the best was selected."

Throughout the seven week competition, approximately 2,000 guitarists competed in the first GUITARMAGEDDON. Regional competitions selected the best musicians in the local areas, which went on to compete in the grand finals at the Sam Adams Grill and Groove Event in Boston, Massachusetts on July 27, 2000. Six regional contestants were judged by a panel of celebrity judges that included: Michael Sweet (Stryper), Vinnie Moore (Alice Cooper), and Johnny A (Peter Wolf). Each contestant was given five minutes to solo and was judged on Originality, Technique, Dynamics, Musicality/Composition, Continuity, Stage Presence and Audience Response.

Lawlor has been a musician for 17 years and is a graduate of the Musician Institute (GIT) in Hollywood, California. For the past six years, he has performed with his band "drop thud oops," a three piece funk fusion rock project. Lawlor credits his uncle, John Sheehan, as a major influence in his musical career and style.

"This victory is the result of many years of hard work and sacrifice," said Lawlor. "I think that my ability to play a variety of musical styles helped my chances in winning this great competition that brought together some of the finest musicians I have ever met."

For his five minute solo, Lawlor made use of the allotted time by impressing judges on his vast repertoire. He began with his own original music, which included classical, fusion and bluegrass but ended with a mixture of songs from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Morse and Yngvie Malmsteen. Among the prizes, Lawlor performed at VH1's Rock Across America, opening for Stone Temple Pilots, on July 29th and will receive a tour of the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California, where he will design his own one-of-a-kind guitar, and more.

Beginning over thirty-five years ago as a single music shop in Hollywood, California, Guitar Center currently operates over 70 stores nationwide. Guitar Center looks forward to fulfilling their continuing vision of providing quality musical products at the lowest prices in the nation, while bringing musicians together through informative clinics, product showcases and special musical events. Guitar Center, publicly traded on NASDAQ as GTRC, is headquartered in Agoura Hills, California. For further information, to schedule an interview or request artwork, please contact Patty Cortez, [ formula ]PR, at 310-372-2511.

His 5-minute masterpiece won him the whole enchilada including a BandsOnly starter package worth over $2000 (WIN YOUR OWN HERE!), a trip to Fender's Custom Shop in sunny Corona California to design his own guitar and plenty of other stuff to make musicians drool!

VH-1 and over 20 radio stations from all over the country braved the rain (the free BandsOnly caps kept heads dry) while Mr. Lawlor blazed his way to the top. Free brews, clam chowda and music were worth the damp dungarees + wet socks... and a little drizzle never ruined a cup of Sam Adams Summer ale, did it?

On Saturday, Mike entertained guests in VH-1's VIP lounge at The Avalon in Boston, at the invite-only Stone Temple Pilots gig! More people were waiting to get in than actually got in.

STP's Scott Weiland wowed the crowd with visceral yet dreamy vocals. The band pounded beats that made the waving arms in the pit pulse like a bubbling human stew.

Below are more exclusive photos! (Even an exclusive after-hours jam session between Mike and Florida finalist Joe Fedor.)

	It was a close one! The celebrity judges deliberating (from l. to r.): Johnny A (Peter Wolf), Russ Stratton (guitaradio.com), Vinnie Moore (Alice Cooper, Solo) and Michael Sweet (Stryper) photo by Virginia Banks
	Mike receives the BandsOnly deluxe band package from Co-founder/President of BandsOnly, Marc Lewis on stage at the Sam Adams Grill and Groove Event. (Enter to win your own package here.) photo by Virginia Banks
	All six finalists backstage after the competition... L to R: Sean Weaver (Seattle), Joe Fedor (Hallandale, FL), Steven Peavey (San Diego), Mike Lawlor (NJ), Scott Stenbroten (Chicago), Marc Lewis (BandsOnly), Tony Crawford (Austin, TX), and Scott E. Palmquist (BandsOnly) photo by Virginia Banks
	If the day's competition wasn't enough, Mike and Joe Fedor spent several hours jamming back at the hotel, long after the bars closed and most others called it a night. photo by Scott E. Palmquist
	Mike is cheered on by fans including his wife and daughter (center). photo by Virginia Banks