Eric Brewer in the Running to Open for Joe Bonamassa

Eric Brewer (Photo by Tien Pham)

Remember when we all pitched in and helped Eric Brewer win that sweet Paul Reed Smith amp back in the fall of 2011? Yeah, that was awesome. I feel like we all won, because we all get to hear him play it.

"People in Erie have shown me so much support, I can't even begin to express my gratitude," Brewer said.

But it's been awhile since his last win, and Brewer's stepped up his game since then; hot on the heels of his first album - which I still do not have a copy of (32 W. Eighth St., #500, Erie, Pa, 16501, hint hint) - Brewer's entered a contest sponsored by Guitar Center, and is currently running 60th out of 2500.  That's right - out of 2,500 guitarists in the country, a guy from Erie (actually Fairview, but whatever) is in the top 3 percent.

Once the contest ends at midnight on Thursday, April 25, 10 finalists will be chosen to travel to Hollywood to audition for blues guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. The ultimate winner, chosen by Bonamassa, will open for him, record with him, recieve $10,000, a ton of sweet gear from Gibson and Marshall, and an endorsement deal from Ernie Ball.

"I've been a big fan of Bonamassa since I saw him perform at the Erie Civic Center in 2002 and subsequently met him by chance at World of Music the day after," Brewer said. "I've seen him several times since then - his sound and style have continued to evolve and push the blues into new territory, much like Stevie Ray Vaugan did in the '80s. The opportunity to open for, and record in the studio with Bonamassa would be an honor and a massive career-changer."

It sure would.

So what do you say, Reader readers? Ready to pitch in again and help out a local guitar hero? Good; I knew you would be. Visit Brewer's contest page, watch his performance video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ (yes, that thing is still around), Yahoo! (yes, that thing is still around), or Wordpress.

Remember - time is short, so act now - you'll be helping a talented local musician bring his music to a much wider audience.