Highlights include Crate’s giant Blue Voodoo stack, the world’s largest guitar amp

ST. LOUIS (July 5, 2004) - This June, Crate and Ampeg joined forces with some of the biggest names in the guitar world to take part in the Eric Clapton-founded Crossroads Guitar Festival, a revolutionary event designed to create a bridge between fans and musicians. For three days, attendees are offered once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to be in intimate settings as masters of the craft give fans the ultimate look into their art. This year the impressive roster of more than 60 performers included legends Jeff Beck, Bo Diddley, BB King, Pat Metheny, Robert Randolph, Carlos Santana, James Taylor and Joe Walsh, in addition to founder Clapton.

“It’s fantastic for us to be a part of such a revolutionary concept in the music festival genre,” said Brandon Foster, director of advertising for St. Louis Music, which manufactures Crate and Ampeg amplifiers. “Crossroads is entirely unique in its approach and in its format, and we love being involved.”

One of the weekend’s highlights was Crate’s unveiling of the world’s largest guitar amplifier, a Crate Blue Voodoo full-stack. The cabinets, loaded with 16 12″ speakers each, and the 600-watt all tube head were a huge hit with both fans and performers. Ampeg also premiered a giant of its own: the silver “anniversary”� style giant SVT. The 900-pound cab was built with 36 10-inch speakers topped off with a 150-pound head, making it 11 feet tall and an outrageous draw. Both are expected to break the Guinness World Records for largest guitar and bass amplifiers.

Along with Crate and Ampeg, V-Series Amps made waves at the festival. ZZ Top, Joe Walsh and Robert Randolph performed on-stage with the high-end rigs that are part of the St. Louis Music family.

The Crossroads Guitar Festival is held annually to raise funds for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua, the treatment and education center founded by Eric Clapton in 1997. To learn more about the festival and the treatment center, go to www.crossroadsguitarfestival.org/.