Steve Vai and Orianthi on American Idol!

Here's a clip from Wednesday's American Idol episode featuring Mary J Blige backed by Steve Vai and Orianthi Panagaris! 

Watching Vai fingerpick his way through the acoustic guitar bits of Stairway To Heaven was kind of cool in a 'ok, now we've seen everything' sort of way.  Funky half-acoustic/half-electric Ibanez doubleneck too. 

Orianthi does her own take on the classic Jimmy Page solo at 2:17-2:39, modernizing it with a barrage of pentatonic flurries.

She must have some mighty calluses from all those hammer-ons and pull-offs she does.  Anybody have a picture?

Check out Orianthi's take on Eddie Van Halen's Beat It solo

Orianthi, Rick Nielsen and Brian Ray Pay Tribute To Les Paul

Orianthi is definitely making her rounds -- this time performing a solo rendition of the Star Spangled Banner for the opening of an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans in Miami on December 27th 2009.

The Aussie lass was later joined at half-time by Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen and Brian Ray of Paul McCartney's band for a Gibson Guitar Tribute to Les Paul jam.

One of those rare occasions you'll see Orianthi with a Les Paul. And with a Floyd Rose to boot!

(Pic Source: AP Photo)

PRS Guitars Sweepstakes -- Win a PRS SE Custom 24 Signed by Orianthi!

PRS Guitars will be giving away a PRS SE Custom 24 in Whale Blue (retail value: US$1023), signed by Orianthi.

No purchase is necessary, but this one only applies to US Residents.

To enter, visit www.facebook.com/orianthi, click the “ENTRY” button and fill out the entry form in accordance with the on-screen instructions. Entries must be received between December 3, 12:01 a.m. PT and January 14, 2009, 2010 11:59 p.m. PT.

Be sure to read the complete contest rules at http://www.orianthi.com/sweepstakes/

Some customization ideas should you win this guitar:

• Bling it out with Swarovski crystals and a hot glue gun

• Create the first PRS 'relic' guitar. In my opinion PRS's don't carry the heavily relic'd look as well as Strats or Les Pauls, so proceed conservatively and with good taste

• Really go crazy and let your imagination fly with a thematic graphic that best suits your personality. Check out this hand-painted bass that came through Gary Brawer's repair shop!

Orianthi Plays Eddie Van Halen's Beat It Solo

Here's a vid of Orianthi Panagaris playing Eddie Van Halen's iconic solo from Beat It.

Following in the footsteps of Michael Jackson's previous touring guitar veteran Jennifer Batten, Orianthi was all set to embark on Jackson's This Is It comeback tour before the singer's untimely demise.





A PRS Guitars endorser since 2004, Australian-born Orianthi has drawn accolades from no less than Steve Vai and Carlos Santana.

On the PRS website, Carlos is quoted as saying, "It's not cute anymore. It's seriously ass-whupping. If I was going to pass the baton to somebody, she would be my first choice."


www.myspace.com/orianthi