Rocking out for a cause

With crowds still trickling in, the first round of competition for the title of Hoosier Guitar Idol began Monday night. The atmosphere was buzzing as more than 20 guitarists took the stage in front of a live audience at Max’s Place in downtown Bloomington.\nThe Business Careers in Entertainment Club presented the second annual competition and all proceeds benefitted the emergency room at Bloomington Hospital.\nHoosier Guitar Idol brings a reproduction of the popular television show “American Idol” to a local level. \n“They have an American Idol for singers; this follows the same formula on a local college level,” said IU graduate Jesse Wallace.\nWallace said the event is a win-win situation for everyone, as young promoters have the opportunity to expand their resumes and potential talent can be recognized and discovered.\nIU senior Eric Butte said he created the event last year after he suffered a nearly fatal motorcycle accident on the IU campus. The event is also a part of his senior project as an individualized music business major through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.\nThe event brings together producers, local band members, guitarists and audiences, Butte said. \n“It’s a fantastic way of having talented musicians and audience members come together and have a good time,” he said.\nThe first round of competition began at about 7 p.m. as the artists performed onstage and received evaluation from judges and cheers from viewers. During the second round of competition, which began at 9 p.m., the remaining contestants had the opportunity to play with the house band The Buzzkills while getting a second evaluation from \nthe judges.\nBuzzkills drummer Matt Schory is an IU senior who has been playing the drums for years. \n“This is an amazing chance for us to play with great musicians and check out some of the local talent,” he said.\nThe winner of last year’s competition, Kyle Gilpin, now plays with The Buzzkills, a well-known band in the Bloomington music scene.\nThe backbone of the event is the Business Careers in Entertainment Club, which is involved with the preliminary auditions and management of the event, before and during the show.\n“We are in charge of monitoring the judges, keeping the competitors in order and watching the doors before and during the performance,” said club member Nicole O’Neal. “This is good experience for anyone who wants to get involved in the business end of entertainment.”\nAfter the first Guitar Idol competition last year, the club backed Butte, who was determined to host the show for a second consecutive year.\n“From what I know from various people, there is a lot more talent this year,” said club member Steve Veldman. “We have been responsible for constantly putting up posters around town, week after week, and getting the word out about the show as much as we can.”\nThe Hoosier Guitar Idol finalists were Casimir Lewandowski, Shane Provost, Tyler Baker, Kyle Gilpin, Austin Johnson.