Glasgow guitarist’s appeal after missing out on chance of lifetime
A GLASGOW musician has been left sorely disappointed after he missed out on a oncein-a-lifetime chance to play guitar on-stage with a popular US rock band.
Graeme Craig entered and won a competition to perform with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the American state of New Hampshire.
However, the 30-year-old IT analyst said he had to turn the prize down after being given just three days’ notice via email.
Describing how it was “impossible” financially to get flights to there from Glasgow at such short notice, Graeme, from the South Side of the city, said: “There was a competition running at a US radio station that was brought to my attention. The prize was to play on stage with Thirty Seconds to Mars, receive a signed guitar and tickets to see them play.
“I had just applied for a laugh and then forgot all about it. Then, on Saturday night, I got an email to say I’d won, but would have to make my own way to the US by Tuesday.
“With flights around the £2000 mark, I couldn’t afford it. I told the company who ran the competition and their last words to me were ‘take care’.
“The Thirty Seconds to Mars fanbase set up a petition for me to get the band’s attention. It’s been getting shared widely.
“I spent around £1000 to see them with my girlfriend when they came to Glasgow in March, I’m that big a fan.”
The online petition set up to gather support from fellow fans in order to be given a second chance has gained over 100 signatures, but more are needed.
Graeme, a guitarist in band Neon Hurricane, has played the instrument ever since he can remember. Appealing to Evening Times readers, he said: “Help a Glasgow musician achieve his dreams.”
Support Graeme in his mission at ipetitions.com/ petition/get-graeme-to-mars.