Nashville's US Air Guitar Qualifier took place before the Northeast Semifinal, but let's be honest, I wasn't there in person, so I wrote the in-person recap of the NYC semis first. That's life. Now you get to learn about Nashville.
Nashville, as usual, was a benefit for Notes for Notes, which is a nonprofit that helps kids get music education. I love it when people run their qualifiers as a benefit - Portland did this as well - but I know that reality is that most organizers can't cover the room fee, USAG licensing fee, and travel money for winners out of pocket, so I understand when people don't donate the money they make at the door. No shade to anyone who made money! But I do love air guitaring for actual, tangible benefit to the community.
Nashville was a bit bereft this year! Last year, having recently moved to the region, Van Dammage and Cleoplectra kicked a lot of ass all over the stage, VD with his signature sensual plucking and chest-hair initials, and Cleo pregnant in a Girl Scout uniform. But being pregnant tends to lead to babies, and this year they were on family leave with their adorable little munchkin. A worthy excuse. I still hope one or both is able to compete next year! The adults, I mean. We've got a good 20 years before the baby gets to show whether he inherited mommy and daddy's chops.
Last year, a new competitor whose real name is James Roquemore took second place. Van Dammage had taken the first-place spot, so Roquemore was here to not only defend his spot, but to take aim at the now-undefended top position. Another Nashville stalwart, Shorty McShred, had similar ambitions. Mama Nash Trash also brought her curlers and housecoat to the stage once again. But Van Dammage and Cleoplectra weren't the only air guitarists missing from the stage. Whither Betty Rampage? Whither Little Miss Iron Miss?
Well, they weren't there. But there was a new competitor named "Oh Shit" - appropriate, since the official chant of US Air Guitar is "Ho-ly shit! Ho-ly shit!", although I suppose it's a bit tempting fate to name yourself that - and another competitor named Hack Nicholson, both of whom brought it pretty hard.
Ultimately, the victory this year went to the one man born to do this, James Roquemore. Second place went to Shorty McShred, and Hack Nicholson took the third. They'll be representing Nashville at the Southeast Semifinals in DC on July 26th!
The top 3 (and the MC)
photo via US Air Guitar's Instagram