US: Jose Cuervo to sponsor air guitar comp

Tequila producer Jose Cuervo will be the title sponsor of the 2008 Black US Air Guitar Championships, presented by TouchTunes.

The 2008 tour will host over 21 regional competitions nationwide. In each city a panel of independent judges score instrument-free performances based on technical merit, stage presence and airness - the extent to which a performance surpasses the imitation of a real guitar and becomes an art form in and of itself.

"Jose Cuervo Black is a product that breaks the mold in the Tequila category by aging in newly charred white oak barrels; it's bold and dares to be different and mixes extremely well with the addition of cola," said Toby Whitmoyer, brand director, Jose Cuervo. "In the same sense, air guitarists transcend the boundaries of typical musicians and are able to create an art form unique and exciting to each competitor."

Round one is a freestyle selection consisting of a one-minute performance to a song of his/her choosing. The top competitors from round one must then participate in a compulsory round where he/she must perform to a surprise song. The winner from each city, and the defending 2007 champion, will be sent to San Francisco in August 2008 to compete in the final.

The winner of the 2008 US Air Guitar Championships on 8 August in San Francisco will represent the United States at the 2008 Air Guitar World Championships, 20-22 August in Oulu, Finland.