2006 - Year Six Wrap-Up
It’s hard to believe that the WNED Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival celebrated its 6th year in 2006…time has certainly flown! Held June 15-19, the Festival was a record-breaking success. For the first time in the festival’s history not only one but two shows SOLD OUT! Another “festival first” was the addition, at long last, of country music.
Highlights of 2006’s Guitar Festival include:
The Tragically Hip played a concert on a sultry summer evening at picturesque Artpark on June 17. The concert, which sold out in 1 hour and 26 minutes, was electrifying.
On the same evening back in Erie County, Ani DiFranco’s Asbury Hall at The Church was christened with its first major music concert. The Gary Burton Quartet featuring Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Antonio Sanchez performed a show that will not be duplicated – stellar music in a stellar environment.
Country music is alive and well – and finally a part of the Guitar Festival! Country superstar Blake Shelton headlined a sunny Father’s Day concert at Gateway Park in North Tonawanda. The crowd of 10,000 celebrated the summer weather with Blake and his opening acts Jude Gold (who was joined by special guest Stu Hamm) and the amazing Johnny Hiland. All three bands delivered a concert that made it a Father’s Day to remember.
The North American Rock Guitar Competition continued to reach new heights in 2006 as five talented guitar playing contenders arrived in Buffalo to compete for the Tommy Tedesco Award. The esteemed panel of celebrity judges included renowned guitar players Vernon Reid, Johnny Hiland and Kat Dyson, bass player extraordinaire Stu Hamm, Guitar Player magazine editor Jude Gold, former Rock Competition host and lead singer of Slunt, Abby Gennet, Abby’s husband and lead singer of the X’s, Brett Scallions and Gibson Guitar’s Frank Johns. NYC rocker Queen V returned for her second year to host the Competition and joined in the final jam session that rocked the house. Les Robot, who hails from Edmonton, Alberta, performed a unique and exciting set that earned him the Tommy Tedesco award and made him the 6th guitarist to take the title.
This year’s Guitar Festival also featured a traveling exhibit of Guitars for Hope, a public art project produced in collaboration with Kelly for Kids and Hunter’s Hope. Featuring local artists and celebrity artists such as Bon Jovi and Meatloaf, the 18-month project culminated in a gala auction on July 14 where the bids were fast and furious.
Keeping with tradition, the Guitar Festival also featured performances in and around the community. Participants included: the M&T Bank’s Plaza Event Series, Stringed Edition Guitar Ensemble at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, legendary guitar hero Duke Robillard at Nietzche’s and the revived and revitalized City Stages.
The 6th annual WNED Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival was produced by ESI Concerts in conjunction with the House of Blues Canada. The festival continues to receive outstanding financial and community support including: Financial support from New York State Assembly Majority Leader Paul A. Tokasz, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, McDonald’s, Gaines Kriner Elliot, The Buffalo News, Molson, Cricket and Wood Dental Associates. Event partners included Artpark, MolsonCanal Concert Series, Guitar Player magazine, Gibson Guitars, Adelphia Media Services, O Restaurant and Lounge, WBFO and WYRK.
