Deep in the heart of Texas, and deep in the heart of rock and roll, Brock McRock - everyone's favorite guy with a Texas-shaped belt buckle - put on Houston's US Air Guitar qualifier on May 28th.
Another smallish slate of performers - just 7 - but with a fairly even balance of men and women, which is nice to see. The judges proved they "got it" (always a concern with new or non-air-guitarist judges) by trying to give competitor Lo Long extra points for running off the stage to puke after her performance. It turns out that she actually wasn't running off to puke, but the idea of rewarding someone for raging so hard that they'd barf, but holding it in during their performance, is very valid. Well done, judges. Competitors: consider the words of Airy Godfather of us all, Andrew WK, and "Party til you puke."
Since there were no other competitions in Texas this year, I can safely say that this year, newcomer El Mago is The Best Air Guitarist in Texas. He will be joined at the Conference Finals in Chicago (/semis...) by veteran El Airiachi and the tied-for-third Crooked Pussy and Shredlocks (who doesn't have dreadlocks, apparently... I need more truth in advAIRtising, guys). As usual, with a newcomer qualifying through to semis, I really, really, really want him to go! And bring the runners-up (El Airiachi has been to semis before, but the other two are new) so they can get a taste of the air guitar community as well.
Brock McRock (center) with winner El Mago (right) and second place El Airiachi (left)