LP Supports CoverBand 2010 Rising Stars

Bradley Webb

CoverBand 2010 winners and musical directors, from left: Josue Vazquez (electric guitar), Brian Nguyen (acoustic guitar),
Lee Canales (hand percussion), Mike Raeder (vocals), Karl Perazzo (host and musical director), Didi Negron (drums),
Forian Visan (bass), Jose Luna (hand percussion), LP artist and Coverband judge Walfredo Reyes, Jr.,

Anyone who looks at the music business today will see thousands of skilled professional performers, including a profusion of some of the world’s greatest stars. But keeping the music business fresh and healthy depends on tomorrow’s stars. Talented young musicians must be nurtured and supported in order for them to realize their full potential.

Providing that support was the focus of the CoverBand 2010 Contest. This unique online competition provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talents on an international stage. The contest began in July of 2009. Musicians in six categories (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, hand percussion, drums, and vocals) were invited to submit two-minute video clips of their best playing. Online viewers around the world voted for their favorite clips in order to select five finalists in each category. Those finalists were then judged by a celebrity panel featuring Santana percussionist Karl Perazzo, Type O-Negative drummer Johnny Kelly, Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis, and independent guitarist Ian Campbell.

When the voting was over, the judges had selected a winner from each category (two from hand percussion). Those winners are: Josue Vazquez (electric guitar), Brian Nguyen (acoustic guitar), Florian Visan (bass), Lee Canales and Jose Luna (hand percussion), Didi Negron (drums), and Mike Raeder (vocals). The talented winners were presented with an array of instruments and equipment from the contest’s sponsors as part of their prize. But they also were presented with a unique performance opportunity. The seven musicians were flown from their homes across the country to Anaheim, California this past January. There they met for the first time, at which point CoverBand 2010 was officially formed.

Following a four-hour rehearsal under the direction of Latin Percussion artists Karl Perazzo, Kevin Ricard, and Walfredo Reyes Jr., the band played a one-hour concert at the Anaheim Hilton hotel for attendees of the 2010 NAMM international music-products trade show. Given the circumstances, anything might have happened. What did happen was an absolutely killer show that brought down the house. Each member of CoverBand 2010 is a potential rising star in his or her own right. The CoverBand 2010 contest is pleased to have provided a platform from which these young stars can launch their careers.

Sponsors of CoverBand 2010 included Latin Percussion, Toca Percussion, SABIAN, Genz Benz, Ovation, Gretsch Drums, Audio-technica, Hercules, Schecter, Gibraltar, Musician’s Friend, Harmony-Central.com and NAMM. More information on the CoverBand 2010 contest can be obtained at coverband2010.com.