When we sent out a call for entries two months ago, it never occurred to us that we'd be hearing from Shure Notes readers in the far-flung reaches of Norway and Turkey. We know most of you only by first name, last name and e-mail address. The global response was a surprise.

Our panel of judges (Shure associates qualified by their creative, technical or music aficionado status) sifted through your entries listening, commenting and listening again. A study in diversity, it's all here - from a eight-year old in Connecticut who wants to be a Rockette to a Norwegian band pining not for the fjords, but Maui.

We'd like to offer a big 'thank you' to all of the readers who participated. We were impressed with all of the submissions we received and wish we could showcase each and every one of you. Youre all winners!

But due to space limitations, we can only feature 10. So here, in alphabetical order, are the Shure Notes Featured Bands (and in a couple of cases, Solo Artists) for 2006.

Blackbird Playing in the Band Al Janelle, 16 (vocals/guitar) Joel Jones, 21 (vocals/guitar) Adam Smith, 19 (vocals/bass) Matthew Hellar, 17 (drums/percussion) Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Derek Trucks Band, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, John Mayer Most Recent Gigs September 8 - The Lamplighter Pub - Tifton, GA September 15 - Halftime Sports Bar -Tifton, GA September 22 - Harvest Moon - Albany, GA September 29 - The Lamplighter - Tifton, GA In the Studio We recorded our first demo in September. More About Blackbird www.myspace.com/blackbirdblues Give it a Listen Fancy Brown Eyes

Henry Farr & The Rapiers Playing in the Band Henry Farr (vocals & guitar), John Harris (guitar & vocals), Andrew Butler (keyboards & vocals), Mark Butler (bass), Robbie Rayner (drums). Musical Influences Early Elvis Costello, The Smiths, Human League Most Recent Gigs All in North-East Hampshire in the United Kingdom July 29 May 13 September 24 September 3 In the Studio Recorded most recent CD in August 2006. More About Henry Farr and The Rapiers www.indiestore.com/henryfarr Give it a Listen Brutal

Foghorn Playing in the Band Richard Burgess (vocal, guitar, concertina), Tore Lia (vocal, bass), Jon Buer (vocal, percussion) Musical Influences No specific artists or bands Most Recent Gigs September 19 - Krokstrand, Sweden July 16 - Kommandanten, Fredrikstad, Norway June 2 - Donkejongarden, Fredrikstad, Norway May 20 - Steinbrottet, Hvaler, Norway In the Studio Our CD "A Thousand Times Adieu" was recorded in 2003 and 2004, and released in May 2004. More About Foghorn www.foghorn.no Give it a Listen Rolling Down to Old Maui

Kayla Paige Fuhst Playing in the Band Solo artist (vocals and electric guitar) Musical Influences Broadway musicals; loves pop. Top 40, rock and ballads. Most Recent Gigs August - The King & I, Danbury CT July - National Finals/Access Broadway, New York, NY May - Atlantic City, NJ April - Kids for Kids/Dancing for Life Fundraiser, New Haven, CT In the Studio I recorded my last CD in January 2006 at Raw Recording in my hometown of Carmel, NY (at the age of 7). I will be recording a new CD this December. More About Kayla Paige Fuhst http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeryxz1/ Give it a Listen I Want to Be a Rockette

Richard Gray

Playing in the Band
Solo artist playing piano, guitar and drums

Musical Influences
Damien Rice, Snow Patrol, Sting, Piazzolla, Radiohead.

Most Recent Gigs
Local pubs in the area, a few weeks back

In the Studio
Records at home

More About Richard Gray
www.richardgraymusic.com

Give it a Listen
Old Song

Majors* Junction Playing in the Band Mike Mulcahy (guitars/vocals), Heather O'Brien (vocals/percussion), Colin Williams (drums) Michael Scott Duplessis (bass/squeeze box), Jay Septoski (guitars). Musical Influences A wide array of influences ranging from Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to The Rolling Stones and The Band. Most Recent Gigs September 24 at Woodstock Gazebo - Woodstock, IL September 20 at The Tonic Room - Chicago, IL September 14 at House of Blues - Back Porch Stage Chicago, IL September 13 at The Horseshoe - Chicago, IL In the Studio We just finished recording our second album "Confluence", scheduled for release in December 2006. More About Majors* Junction www.myspace.com/majorsjunction www.majorsjunction.com Give it a Listen Gunslinger

Origam Playing in the Band Murat (vocals), Tayfun (Electric Guitar) Serkan (Bass Guitar), Kemal (drums) Musical Influences Metallica, Testament, Symphony X, Hammerfall, Pentagram(Mezarkabul), Annihilator Most Recent Gigs September 24 - Garage Rock Bar - Ankara Turkey June 2 - Pentagram Tribute Night at Studio Live - Istanbul, Turkey May 4 - Middle East Technical University Festival - Ankara, Turkey April 28 - Hacettepe University Rock Festival - Ankara, Turkey In The Studio Recent recording done in September More About ORIGAM www.betarecords.com/origam www.myspace.com/origam Give It a Listen End of the Game

Q*BALL Playing in the Band Q*Ball (vocals, keys, loops), Bumblefoot (guitars, backing vocals) Musical Influences Nine Inch Nails, U2, Depeche Mode, Faith No More, Duran Duran Most Recent Gigs March 6 - Crash Mansion, NYC March 6 -Southpaw, NYC October 10 - The Wicked Monk, NYC; June 5 - Block Island Music Festival, RI In the Studio We are currently mixing/mastering our third album for a January 2007 release. More About Q*Ball www.qballmusic.com www.myspace.com/qball Give it a Listen Fortune Favors the Bald

ROCKIT Playing in the Band Justin Silver (lead vocals, guitar and keyboards), Chris Berry (guitar, background vocals), Martin Holloway (drums, background vocals) Lakis Economos (bass), Ben Annersley (bass, background vocals), Ben Richardson (acoustic guitar) Musical Influences Our band's influences are eclectic and diverse. Classic artists from the 60s and 70s - The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Rush, but also Charlie Parker, Jacko Pastorias, Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder. Lyrically, Cole Porter and Bob Dylan. Most Recent Gigs This year we played an anniversary tribute show at the University of Westminster's Regent Street Campus, to celebrate Jimi Hendrix's first public live show in the UK (where he jammed with The Cream). We also played two very large mansion house parties. Most recently were a couple of pub/club gigs in Camden Town. In the Studio We've just finished our first album, three years in the making. More About Rockit www.myspace.com/rockitpad www.rockitpad.com Give It a Listen Bag Lady

Dave Sills Playing in the Band I handle lead vocals & rhythm guitar. I do many gigs with my lead guitarist Chris Walke, some I do with my full band: Gerald Dowd (drums), Mike Marsden (bass) and Scott Stevenson (keyboards). Musical Influences Peter Himmelman, Neil Finn, Lloyd Cole, Del Amitri/Justin Currie, The Who, The Beatles, The Stones, U2, Tom Waits, David Gray, Bob Dylan Most Recent Gigs Sept 20 at Uncommon Ground - Chicago, IL (duo show) July 15 at The World's Largest Block Party - Chicago, IL (band show) June 17 at Goose Island - Chicago, IL (band show) April 27 at The Pontiac Café - Chicago, IL (solo show) In The Studio Recorded during 2005, released in December. I'm currently working on another one. Vocals are all done with a Shure KSM32. For live shows, either an SM58 or Beta 58. More About Dave Sills www.davesills.com www.myspace.com/davesillsmusic Give It a Listen All Messed Up