John Anthony Memorial Guitar Contest, November 2025.

The Music Video submission date will be announced soon!

About John Anthony

A performer, teacher and mentor in the music circuit for over 30 years, John Anthony contributed to the music tracks of over 2,500 movies.

Over several decades, the guitarist was part of many ensembles and projects that led him to perform around the globe with legends such as violinist L. Shankar, Sivamani and A.R. Rahman. He has been an inspiration to many currently famous guitarists. His unique style of guitar playing influenced many and still does today.

Connected to movies and the independent music world, John Anthony made a strong impact on both sides. Lazie J was one of the last projects he associated with.

This guitar award is instituted to celebrate the genius of John Anthony and also to encourage young guitarists to demonstrate their talent to a vast audience globally.

So put your best out there and let us see whether you can carry the John Anthony Legacy forward.

About the Contest

The John Anthony guitar contest is held annually by Lazie Indie along with the International Independent Music Festival - IIMF (Held in collaboration with the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village - KACV)

This year, we have TWO categories for music submissions:

Electric & Acoustic.

Artists are requested to submit entries for either of these categories.

Participating guitarists can upload a 2 minute video clip on Youtube and submit the link to Lazie Indie (submission date will be announced soon).

A voting link will be given to qualified participants after submission closure. Participants are encouraged to share this link with as many potential voters as possible.
Among the top 3 participants in each category (decided by the number of votes received) one winner each will be selected by an International panel of Judges.
The winner in the Electric Category will be presented with an Electric Guitar sponsored by Bigfoot Guitars.
The winner in the Acoustic category will be presented with an acoustic guitar sopnsored by Aqualib Guitars,
Please read the terms and conditions carefully.

Sponsor

(Electric Category)

Sponsor

(Acoustic Category)

Aqualib Guitars

John Antony Guitar Contest, Sponsor, ICMA

Contest Partner

Past Winners

John Antony Guitar Contest - Past Winners

Contest Judges

Brian Tarquin

Brian Tarquin is an Emmy Award-winning guitarist, composer, and producer whose career spans over two decades of musical innovation. Known for his dynamic fusion of rock, jazz, and instrumental guitar, Tarquin has carved out a distinctive niche in the world of contemporary music.

His work has earned Billboard-charting success and been featured in numerous top television shows, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Smallville, 24, House, Law & Order, and The Bachelor.

A prolific recording artist, he has collaborated with icons like Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Larry Coryell, and Billy Sheehan, consistently pushing the boundaries of his genre. Tarquin is also a dedicated supporter of U.S. veterans, using his music to raise awareness and funds through benefit albums such as Guitars for Wounded Warriors.

As the founder of BHP Music-Guitar Trax Records, he continues to champion original, expressive instrumental music.

Brian Tarquin’s career reflects both extraordinary talent and heartfelt purpose.

Steve Lynch

Steve Lynch developed his signature two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique that laid the foundation to modern day Heavy Metal/ Rock Music Guitar playing. He is best known as the co-founder and original lead guitarist of the glam metal/hard rock band Autograph, which formed in 1983.

He decided to commit himself to music and mastering guitar when Jimi Hendrix died in 1970. In addition to Hendrix, Lynch's influences came from late-1960s and early-1970s rock musicians such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Beatles. He initially played bass, however Hendrix's death influenced him to switch to guitar.

Lynch gradually developed his signature two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique throughout the 1970s and into the mid-1980s.

Will Johns

Will Johns is a British Blues artist known for blending classic and modern Blues Rock, with a musical legacy steeped in Rock 'n' Roll history. The son of legendary producer Andy Johns and actress Paula Boyd, and nephew of producer Glyn Johns, Will’s family connections include his famous aunt Pattie Boyd, who was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

Influenced by his uncle Eric Clapton, Will started playing guitar as a teenager, later forming his first band, Cloud 9, while studying Performing Arts in Oxford. Over the years, he’s become a sought-after session player, released five solo albums, and toured globally, performing at major festivals. His 2021 album ""BLUESDADDY"" topped the Roots Music Review Chart, and he's been nominated for 'Best Original Blues Song' at the British Blues Awards. Will also leads The Cream of Clapton Band and continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his powerful vocals and bluesy guitar work.

During his storied career Will has performed alongside many more renowned musicians including Uncle Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Nile Rodgers, Robben Ford, Glenn Hughes, Roger Waters, Dennis Chambers, Greg Phillenganes, Sunny Emery, Gregg Bissonette, Shar White, Katie Kissoon, Kenny Jones and Steve Gadd.

Rick Bouman

Main Guitarist and founding member of the iconic Dutch Heavy Metal Band Martyr that has rocked world over since 1982.

The debut album "For The Universe" from the same year is still considered a classic in heavy metal circles. For example, the leading website "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives" wrote the following about this album: "Martyr's song writing is vastly superior to most of its competitors".

In 2014, the group was honoured by the "Dutch Steel (80's Metal From The Netherlands)" collector for Martyr's contribution to Dutch heavy metal history.

Sami Chohfi

Sami Chohfi is a rock musician based in Seattle, Washington, United States. He has deep Brazilian roots and was born in Sacramento, California, and raised between Florida and Brazil before moving to Seattle.

He has an international presence, having performed across the US, India, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Southeast Asia. He is also the frontman and songwriter for the international rock band Blue Helix. His solo career began in 2019, and his debut album, "Extraordinary World," was released in 2020. His music has received significant radio play, with over 50,000 FM radio spins, and he has been featured on CBS's "SEAL Team."

Tim Steinruck

Tim Steinruck is a solo rock artist and the charismatic frontman of the hard-rocking band, The Mighty One. He is from Canada, specifically Coquitlam, British Columbia.

His music spans various genres including Acoustic, Metal, Rock, and Singer/Songwriter, with a focus on powerful rock anthems and heartfelt lyrics. He is a male musician with over 30 years of music and performance experience, having joined the "rock and roll traveling circus" at age 18. This indicates he is currently over 50 years old (as of 2025, given his 30+ years experience and starting at 18).

Beyond his musical career, Tim is also a music producer, studio engineer, record company executive (part of the leadership at BigRecords.world and runs Begin Street Studios), and a life coach. He is also involved with a reality television show, RiseUP TV, and an independent multi-media network, PearseMediaNetwork.com.

This contest is brought to you by

Lazie Indie Magazine

2.5 Million Cumulative Views, Over 60 Editions & 130 Countries

Remembering John Anthony

Contest Terms & Conditions

The contest is organised by Lazie Independent Music Private Ltd (Lazie Indie) and is binding on all participants (Artists and voters) in this contest.
Only musicians based in India may participate in the contest
The participant should upload a 2 minutes YouTube video of him/ her playing the guitar without any breaks
Backing tracks are allowed, but the session should be shot in one go without any breaks in playing (audio also)
Submissions are invited for Senior and Junior (14 years and younger) categories
The submission should be sent as a YouTube link uploaded in the submission form
All musicians except winners of previous editions, can participate
The participant is deemed to allow Lazie Indie to publish the video clip to voting audiences worldwide
Only one vote is permitted per voter per artist. Bulk voting, multiple votes from the same email ID/ Phone number for the same artist may result in the artist being banned from the competition. Lazie Indie's decision in this regard will be final.
The voting start date and the end date will be formally announced and the voting form will be published on this page, after the music video submissions are completed.
The results declared by Lazie Indie will be final and no further queries or complaints or questions will be entertained and Lazie Indie is further not obliged to respond to the same.
There is no cash alternative and the prize is non-transferable.
Lazie Indie reserves the right to change/ modify the terms and conditions of this offer or to withdraw this offer at any point in time if circumstances arise beyond our control.
Lazie Indie shall not be responsible for any loss or damage if it has to discontinue or cancel the Contest in compliance with any law, ruling, order, regulation, requirement or instruction of any Central/State Government or for any other unavoidable reason beyond its control. The participants (Artists & Voters) shall be informed of such discontinuance/ cancellation at the earliest.
By participating in the contest, the Participants (Artists & Voters) agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Lazie Indie is not responsible for participants (Artists & Voters) not being able to understand the contest mechanics or for his/ her interpretation of the same. No correspondence in this regard will be entertained.
Lazie Indie shall not be liable to make any payment towards any expenses which is incurred by the participant/ winner whatsoever.
None of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed to constitute a Partnership or Agency between Participants (Voters & Artists) and Lazie Indie and Participants shall have no authority to bind Lazie Indie in any manner whatsoever.
Lazie Indie accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, whether on behalf of itself or any Third Parties.
In no event Lazie Indie shall be liable for losses or any incidental or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the Contest, its services or this Agreement (however arising, including negligence). Lazie Indie shall not be responsible for any Product or Service liability of any kind.
Artists and Voters shall be solely responsible for any consequences which may arise due to any kind of Infringement of Copyrights or any kind of Intellectual Property Rights belonging to any other Person / Entity etc. and also undertake to indemnify Lazie Indie its Directors, Officers, Employees, etc. on the happening of such an Event (including without limitation cost of Attorney, Legal Charges etc.) on full indemnity basis.
The information is deemed to be voluntarily supplied during the course of Participation and personal information provided by the Artists and Voters will be deemed as non-confidential, which hereby discharges all obligations of confidentiality. Lazie Indie shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute the information to Third Parties without limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this terms and conditions and any circumstances whatsoever, Lazie Indie shall not be liable for any incidental, ancillary, direct, indirect, special or consequential damages including but not limited to lost profits or injury or death, whether in contract or based on any theory of liability.
If the operation of the contest (including without limitation the operation of the internet/ telephone system) or the contest is prevented by Force Majeure event, Lazie Indie may cancel all or any part of the contest without any liability to any person whatsoever.