As you awesome Forte readers would know (and you are awesome), the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival is heading around for another crack in November. As well as serving up four days of music, they have also got a cracking competition going on – The Lazenby Young Blues Guitarist Award. The award is named in honour of Phil Lazenby, the Bendigo Community Telco chief executive who passed away last year. Few were committed to Bendigo as much as Phil. Few had the ability to inspire local musicians to follow their dreams, particularly younger musicians. When chosen to farewell Phil at the Bendigo Stadium last year, lyrics from Dobie Gray’s ‘Drift Away’ were used: Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul. I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away. In memory of Phil, The Lazenby Young Blues Guitarist Award is seeking out young guitarists with a blues heart. Entrants can perform on electric or acoustic guitars, solo or within the house band. Applicants must be aged 25 years or under on the 9th November 2014. Up for grabs is a Fender USA Standard Stratocaster and case previously owned by the late Phil Lazenby, but never played (retail value $2,299). Entries close October 23. Hit bendigobluesandroots.com.au for further information.
