HANCOCK, Mich. (WLUC) – Two U.P. air guitar players have received the opportunity of a lifetime.
Keweenaw Farmer Drew Cramer, also known as ‘Adequate Spider Guy’, and the guitar-playing puppet Tony Wallets from Marquette, alongside his ‘human handler’ Allison Maple, will soon be on their way to the West Coast. They are invited to participate in San Francisco’s Dark Horse Competition on Friday. Both players were noticed online after performing in an air guitar exhibition event organized by Wolf’s Head Film in June.
“That got the attention of U.S Air Guitar,” Wolf’s Head Film Director Daena Makela said. “They sent us a direct message: ‘Who is this? Where is this? What event is this?’” And then we told them all about the successful night that we had and then just casually invited us to come to their event.”
Makela says the Dark Horse competition acts as a last-minute chance to qualify for the national Air Guitar Championships the next day. The winner of the nationals would then qualify and be flown out to Oulu, Finland for the world championships at the end of August.
“They have a really good shot at getting into nationals,” Makela added.
During a phone call Monday, Maple says they plan to stick to Tony’s ‘Van Halen’ performance.
“He has had some puppet modifications since the first air guitar competition, so I think now he’s a little bit more prepared to show off,” Maple said. “I sometimes don’t even have the words. It just seems like a crazy story, but I’m really truly excited, and I hope the puppet fever spreads.”
Cramer says participants will only have 60 seconds to show what they can do. However, he also says he’s been practicing every day in preparation.
“Anybody can become a world champion of air guitar if they’re willing to really give it,” Cramer said. “I’ll give it, and other people are going to give it too, and it’s just going to be a blast no matter what happens.”
Wolf’s Head Film has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with travel and food expenses for the competitors. As of Monday evening, $640 of the campaign’s $2,600 goal has been raised.
If donations exceed the goal, Wolf’s Head plans to use the additional funds to bring board members to the competition. They aim to use this opportunity to look into bringing an official U.S. Air Guitar event to the U.P. next year.
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