Music should never be a competition. Tommy Katona is an awesome player with great taste and feel, and uses his tone expertly. These competitions are always fucked.
Saw the same thing happen in Thousand Oaks, CA....one of the competitors is a member of the band that won the IBC in Memphis earlier this year: he burned down for 3 and a half minutes....the guy that "won" not so much.
This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
This kid wasn't bad in this vid. I was in the Charlotte session last night. the whole thing is ridiculous, they picked kids who barely knew what they were doing. It just confirmed by belief about these silly contestants.
@doyle2014 It's tough to tell. I think a lot of people (not this guy) lack a real stage presence. Then, on the flip side, I've saw one guy last year who was so sickeningly cocky, that I think the judges just didn't like him. He did deserve to go on, but he didn't. He was in shock. I think most people would do well do loosen up a little and, perhaps, sacrifice a little technique for showmanship. I think this particular video is just a fluke. This guy is as good an anyone I've seen.
I'd have to agree with the negative comments...I've not heard the "winners" but this guy is very good and is playing some VERY nice blues with brilliant tone. I hope the guys that beat him weren't BS shredders, but they probably were.
A estos chavos son a los que deben darle oportunidad las disqueras y proyectarlos en festivales masivos de blues, ya queremos ver nuevos valores, ya que los viejos le den oportunidad a esta gente joven.
O my God!! Not pass the first round??! Camon Tommy! You rock! In my opinion one of the best blues young player that we have nowadays! We support You with all our hearts...Came to italy we will welcome you,not as the dumbass Judges of this contest. Regards from Italy!
This was an amazingly versatile performance. Chord range, arpegios, accents, pickup selections, - it was all there. What the fuck were they thinking? I was in a guitar center while this contest was going on. I was goofing around with a tele. The store manager said I was pretty good and that I should try out. I'm glad I didn't.
Fuck me, you have no idea how much I wish I had Tommy's chops, and it's not for the lack of hard work either. He played the shit out of a crappy backing track there, kudos. Keep playin' Tommy and play from the heart, I love your tone there man.
I have to agree with you zkat2......the "winner" of my local competition wasn't even in tune and messed up several times. More then several people told me they thought I was robbed after the winners were announced and I wasn't one of them. Nice job, btw. Certainly better then the guy who won it in the New Brunswick, NJ store competition.
Oh, and the winner of the National competiton...a pretty boy with golden locks name Randy Scott...is perhaps the most lackluster guitarist I've ever heard.
Wait this dude didnt win? His playing is flawless compared to a lot of other vids ive seen and he is a great player overall. The only thing I would have done differently is turned up the volume more haha. His playing was great! I cant believe this haha
@guitarnlax36 Winning wasn't a foregone conclusion but passing the first round certainly was. I posted this to show the absurdity of this contest and the way that Guitar Center allows it to be administered.
@zkat2 It's really sad. My question is: Who are these judges? Their origin?
I'm a player myself. If you want , see me on youtube... stephen pati
Anyway, I've even seen it where the winner of a round stopped playing because he ran out of stuff to do. It's just too bad that you wish things could be on the up and up.
This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
I think the best judgment came from Tommy Shannon himself last year after we played together, he gave me great compliments. That's what matters to me and all the friends and fans who truly support me. Thanks a lot everybody, peace and love. Tommy
@TommyKJr From those that know how to play, then can see your talent. Stevie would be so proud. Keep playin' from the heart. The truth always wins in the end, bro.
@TommyKJr From those that know how to play, then can see your talent. Stevie would be so proud. Keep playin' from the heart. The truth always wins in the end, bro.
Shame Shame Shame...that was really authentic and great phrasing. Very SRVish - respectfully. You have an excellent grasp at playing in the groove and not over soloing for flash.
I just got fucked in the store final today. Winner was this 17 year old was good for his age but it was a rehearsed note for note performance when everyone else improvised. judges loved this kid.. I destroyed the competition in the first round and then I didn't play as well in the store final but I still think I should have won, as did everyone else there. To the guy in this video, I can't imagine anyone else winning other than you this was an incredible performance
Phenomenal performance! You are the "Genuine Article"! I had a negative experience at GC too regarding "impartiality" and communications. Just keep on keeping on. Your horse left the starting gate a long time ago. You got a fan in GA.
Guitar Center is beginning to be a real joke when it comes to thinking it can judge good blues talent. Zcat, you are right, the judges are morons and have zero blues judgment capabilities. I entered the contest and had a guitar player from Selena Gomez judging. ENOUGH SAID!!! Tommy Katona is one of the best blues guitarist out there right now. This was bullshit. I will continue following you Tommy as always! All the best bro. Thanks for keeping the blues alive. This was a great performance.
This is much better than most of the entries I have seen out there. It really feels authentic, and nice tone too. I am disappointed in Guitar Center- shame on them!
Hey Tommy I Agree, Its not fair you are a brilliant player and your fans know it. you really dont need them to tell you, but the real thing is if you had a good time doing it, trying new things new experiences. your better than anyone who is around now that i can find. so keep playing Tommy.
they know who the youtube best players are like Tommy, Dennis Dullea and Anthony Stouffer. I dont believe they will let any of the best youtube players win. King of the blues is rigged and GC can kiss my ass.
To his credit, Tommy didn't really care but I'm outraged. You had to be there to believe the contrast between TK and the next best player. The worst literally could not play...just played random notes...NO LIE!!
@zkat2 I hear you bro. I played in the KOTB contest and one of the store finalist was TERRIBLE!!! Another guy that fucking ripped didn't advace. Sad. Check out my vids if you wanna hear me play. It's basically how I sounded at the contest but one judge said I was 'to jazzy, blues is about divin' in and not caring.' WTF!?!?!
@neffrocks Your Soulshine cover totally ROCKS!! I love that thick LP tone too and your bass player sounds a lot like Warren. Yeah man, you're a player! Looking forward to more vids from you.
@zkat2 The store that I competed in had 2 players from each of the 1st round pre lims advance to the final. Are you telling me that this kid didn't place in the top 2 of the first round????? He should have won. I made it to the final in my store and I admit that I didn't play as well as I could have but EVERYONE there thinks it was rigged. They need to find unbiased judges. I knew who was going to win for the 2nd straight year b4 the final even started....sad
@zkat2 This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
WHAT????? he didn't make it to the next round? WTF? Hey Tommy you don't need guitar center anyway your fans know the real deal about you. keep playing.
Music should never be a competition. Tommy Katona is an awesome player with great taste and feel, and uses his tone expertly. These competitions are always fucked.
SconeMason 1 week ago
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rlwiggs 3 weeks ago
great playing
nylonsteel 2 months ago
1 dislike seriously??
stratplayer5769 3 months ago
AMAZING
HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN AT THE SRV
CONCERT IN 2013 !!!
KEEP PLAYING PLEASE YOU HAVE A GREAT GIFT
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE LOVE
diann46 4 months ago 2
He lacks swing and emotion.
JusticieroDeLaMuerte 5 months ago
Sounds like a pro- that's all I can say.
psychkoala 6 months ago
So where is the vid of the guy that beat him out?
ididyomama 7 months ago
Saw the same thing happen in Thousand Oaks, CA....one of the competitors is a member of the band that won the IBC in Memphis earlier this year: he burned down for 3 and a half minutes....the guy that "won" not so much.
Guitar4blues 7 months ago
This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
guitmotar 8 months ago
@doyle2014 How about this ? It's fixed.
zinnington 9 months ago
This kid wasn't bad in this vid. I was in the Charlotte session last night. the whole thing is ridiculous, they picked kids who barely knew what they were doing. It just confirmed by belief about these silly contestants.
zinnington 9 months ago
@doyle2014 It's tough to tell. I think a lot of people (not this guy) lack a real stage presence. Then, on the flip side, I've saw one guy last year who was so sickeningly cocky, that I think the judges just didn't like him. He did deserve to go on, but he didn't. He was in shock. I think most people would do well do loosen up a little and, perhaps, sacrifice a little technique for showmanship. I think this particular video is just a fluke. This guy is as good an anyone I've seen.
jeffee47 10 months ago
this guy is a PROFESSIONAL>
no matter whether he won or not,,,,he plays really nice and tasty blues n that can t change
anarubric 10 months ago
I'd have to agree with the negative comments...I've not heard the "winners" but this guy is very good and is playing some VERY nice blues with brilliant tone. I hope the guys that beat him weren't BS shredders, but they probably were.
jeffee47 10 months ago
A estos chavos son a los que deben darle oportunidad las disqueras y proyectarlos en festivales masivos de blues, ya queremos ver nuevos valores, ya que los viejos le den oportunidad a esta gente joven.
dionimike 11 months ago
how in the hell didnt he win?? thats just crazy tommy is one of the best guitarist out there today
ecmfreestyle 11 months ago
O my God!! Not pass the first round??! Camon Tommy! You rock! In my opinion one of the best blues young player that we have nowadays! We support You with all our hearts...Came to italy we will welcome you,not as the dumbass Judges of this contest. Regards from Italy!
EggTheBox 1 year ago
That was bloody marvelous.Not sure bout the whole "competion" thing,tho....
vvvvq9 1 year ago
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StevenChandlerArtist 1 year ago
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StevenChandlerArtist 1 year ago
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StevenChandlerArtist 1 year ago
This was an amazingly versatile performance. Chord range, arpegios, accents, pickup selections, - it was all there. What the fuck were they thinking? I was in a guitar center while this contest was going on. I was goofing around with a tele. The store manager said I was pretty good and that I should try out. I'm glad I didn't.
Yeadaki 1 year ago
Shit, I just listened to that twice!
gimickuk1 1 year ago
Fuck me, you have no idea how much I wish I had Tommy's chops, and it's not for the lack of hard work either. He played the shit out of a crappy backing track there, kudos. Keep playin' Tommy and play from the heart, I love your tone there man.
gimickuk1 1 year ago
I have to agree with you zkat2......the "winner" of my local competition wasn't even in tune and messed up several times. More then several people told me they thought I was robbed after the winners were announced and I wasn't one of them. Nice job, btw. Certainly better then the guy who won it in the New Brunswick, NJ store competition.
Oh, and the winner of the National competiton...a pretty boy with golden locks name Randy Scott...is perhaps the most lackluster guitarist I've ever heard.
gbrycki 1 year ago
Wait this dude didnt win? His playing is flawless compared to a lot of other vids ive seen and he is a great player overall. The only thing I would have done differently is turned up the volume more haha. His playing was great! I cant believe this haha
guitarnlax36 1 year ago 3
@guitarnlax36 Winning wasn't a foregone conclusion but passing the first round certainly was. I posted this to show the absurdity of this contest and the way that Guitar Center allows it to be administered.
zkat2 1 year ago
@zkat2 It's really sad. My question is: Who are these judges? Their origin?
I'm a player myself. If you want , see me on youtube... stephen pati
Anyway, I've even seen it where the winner of a round stopped playing because he ran out of stuff to do. It's just too bad that you wish things could be on the up and up.
This competion has gotten to be laughable.
1spati 1 year ago
@guitarnlax36
This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
guitmotar 8 months ago
@guitarnlax36 Cause he is not that good.
facubarca 3 months ago
Super!!!
kalimo46 1 year ago
We all know how good guitarist Tommy, but probably he could choose a faster, more virtuoso piece, to show more from his incredible talent !
Hajrá Tomi!
tzuiop 1 year ago
I think the best judgment came from Tommy Shannon himself last year after we played together, he gave me great compliments. That's what matters to me and all the friends and fans who truly support me. Thanks a lot everybody, peace and love. Tommy
TommyKJr 1 year ago
@TommyKJr From those that know how to play, then can see your talent. Stevie would be so proud. Keep playin' from the heart. The truth always wins in the end, bro.
carlmacedo 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@TommyKJr From those that know how to play, then can see your talent. Stevie would be so proud. Keep playin' from the heart. The truth always wins in the end, bro.
carlmacedo 1 year ago
Man,this guy is great.No effects,just a guitar and amp.
dforceiswitya 1 year ago
Hey that was a sweet walk up at 1:16...going to have to borrow that one...haha
Marshall333 1 year ago
Shame Shame Shame...that was really authentic and great phrasing. Very SRVish - respectfully. You have an excellent grasp at playing in the groove and not over soloing for flash.
Marshall333 1 year ago
I just got fucked in the store final today. Winner was this 17 year old was good for his age but it was a rehearsed note for note performance when everyone else improvised. judges loved this kid.. I destroyed the competition in the first round and then I didn't play as well in the store final but I still think I should have won, as did everyone else there. To the guy in this video, I can't imagine anyone else winning other than you this was an incredible performance
LehmanAaron 1 year ago
Phenomenal performance! You are the "Genuine Article"! I had a negative experience at GC too regarding "impartiality" and communications. Just keep on keeping on. Your horse left the starting gate a long time ago. You got a fan in GA.
RussellES345 1 year ago
Guitar Center is beginning to be a real joke when it comes to thinking it can judge good blues talent. Zcat, you are right, the judges are morons and have zero blues judgment capabilities. I entered the contest and had a guitar player from Selena Gomez judging. ENOUGH SAID!!! Tommy Katona is one of the best blues guitarist out there right now. This was bullshit. I will continue following you Tommy as always! All the best bro. Thanks for keeping the blues alive. This was a great performance.
millzy27 1 year ago
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millzy27 1 year ago
This is much better than most of the entries I have seen out there. It really feels authentic, and nice tone too. I am disappointed in Guitar Center- shame on them!
EJwannabe 1 year ago
Awesome performance! Loved it!
carloswalter1975 1 year ago
Hey Tommy I Agree, Its not fair you are a brilliant player and your fans know it. you really dont need them to tell you, but the real thing is if you had a good time doing it, trying new things new experiences. your better than anyone who is around now that i can find. so keep playing Tommy.
sycoadam 1 year ago
they know who the youtube best players are like Tommy, Dennis Dullea and Anthony Stouffer. I dont believe they will let any of the best youtube players win. King of the blues is rigged and GC can kiss my ass.
babyblues3270 1 year ago
To his credit, Tommy didn't really care but I'm outraged. You had to be there to believe the contrast between TK and the next best player. The worst literally could not play...just played random notes...NO LIE!!
zkat2 1 year ago 2
@zkat2 I hear you bro. I played in the KOTB contest and one of the store finalist was TERRIBLE!!! Another guy that fucking ripped didn't advace. Sad. Check out my vids if you wanna hear me play. It's basically how I sounded at the contest but one judge said I was 'to jazzy, blues is about divin' in and not caring.' WTF!?!?!
neffrocks 1 year ago 4
@neffrocks Your Soulshine cover totally ROCKS!! I love that thick LP tone too and your bass player sounds a lot like Warren. Yeah man, you're a player! Looking forward to more vids from you.
zkat2 1 year ago
@zkat2 The store that I competed in had 2 players from each of the 1st round pre lims advance to the final. Are you telling me that this kid didn't place in the top 2 of the first round????? He should have won. I made it to the final in my store and I admit that I didn't play as well as I could have but EVERYONE there thinks it was rigged. They need to find unbiased judges. I knew who was going to win for the 2nd straight year b4 the final even started....sad
LehmanAaron 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@zkat2 This is really nice blues playing. Thursday night in Arlington, TX the same rigged contest took place, and a guy who knew just a few licks and repeated them won (oh yeah, he danced a little). Meanwhile, there were two really great players who blew the doors off with real playing, and they didn't win. ALL the contestants came to those guys in disbelief that neither won. It was ridiculous, not just a matter of taste.
guitmotar 8 months ago
WHAT????? he didn't make it to the next round? WTF? Hey Tommy you don't need guitar center anyway your fans know the real deal about you. keep playing.
Budafinga 1 year ago
@Budafinga Danm right!!! EFF that rigged shit!!!
babyblues3270 1 year ago
I cant believe you didnt win !
ariellehunter 1 year ago
wow tommy awesome performance!
andrewjeff 1 year ago