The finals took place on the evening of September 23, 2006 at San Francisco's legendary Great American Music Hall in front of a near-capacity crowd and six celebrity judges (Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather, Richie Kotzen, Rafael Moreira, Shredmistress Rynata, and Musician's Friend Head of A&R, Steve Read).

First runner-up was Patrick Woods -- who unleashed a stunning solo-acoustic performance -- and second runner up was David Powers, who started his show by stripping off a business suit to reveal a Superman t-shirt.

Bountiful prize packages were offered by GH06 sponsors First Act, Mesa/Boogie, Hughes & Kettner, Epiphone, and Musician's Friend, and Alexander also won a Fender Stratocaster signed by each of the judges.

Complete details -- as well as a photo essay of the event -- will appear in the January 2007 issue of GUITAR PLAYER, which hits newsstands on November 28.

In addition, video clips of all ten performances will soon be uploaded to the Web, where the public will be invited to choose THEIR favorite guitar hero. Every one who votes will be entered in a drawing to win an extremely rare GH06 collector's edition guitar from First Act. Only two GH06 guitars were manufactured, and GH06 Guitar Hero Trey Alexander got the first one. You may be the lucky winner of the second!

As always, check guitarplayer.com for more news and updates!