AirForce welcomes its newest member..

He won his first regional championship in 2006, again in 2008, and yet again in 2010. The pattern of 'even' years was broken, when he won, yet again, in 2011. All in the same region. What makes 2011 differ from the others, is not just the fact it was an odd year, but that he went on to win the National Championship, in the same town. This year.

As with many of our brothairs and sistairs, including Claw, injuries are not enough to deter us from our calling. This is common with sports and entertainment performers, that is based in passion for the art, and injuries that are worked through, in the process. Knee slides are more than just skin, and blood, shed, and bled. And this champion has had his share of skeletal/muscular damage done in the process, and persevered. You gotta love testosterone.

To be AirForce, requires even more. Not just wins on a regional, or national level, or even the world stage. Otherwise, everyone would be a part of the Force. No. Wins mean nothing. It was never about wins. Hell, half of the Force have no wins. Even Claw. It's about love and passion for what we do. And this guy exudes this passion, ha, in spite of his wins. (Not to mention the fact that the invitation comes only from the Claw. LOL)

I give you...Nordic Thunder. US Air Guitar trading card #6. Claw is no stranger to negative press. As are many others. But after reading and seeing all the posts between Colonel Nordic Thunder, and all the others he graciously opened his home to, scattered across his floors, raiding the fridge, desecrating the bathroom, and basically, turning his home into a fraternity house, because that's what we are, a fraternity/sorority, that is a love and passion even Claw would be hesitant to do. Just don't step on my cat. Combined with a multitude of props from everyone across the air guitar spectrum, it was determined Thunder deserved a place in the AirForce. Even better, he will represent a region not previously represented. Commander of the Chi-Town Chapter.

Please join Claw in welcoming Nordic Thunder into the family. Air guitar special forces. We are elite.

Claw project preview

Here is a sample of what's to come. The Tiger Claw Air Guitar Tech online tutorial. Three levels. Twelve speed sessions. Air guitar instruction. How to use actual guitar moves to improve and master air guitar. Without the struggle of playing by ear. Enjoy.

The Tiger Claw Air Guitar Technical Institute

The season is officially over, but that doesn't mean it has to end. For all you competitors out there, looking for an edge, help in certain areas where you are weak, or new to the game, welcome to the Tiger Claw Air Guitar Technical Institute. An online tutorial made up of speed sessions under 3 minutes, covering the basics (chords and scales), techniques, to enhance your performance, and genre-specific moves to expand your repertoire in the song choice department.

Remember: you may have the coolest costume, or the fanciest dance moves, but if you can't even play the guitar, to the tune of the song playing, it's not air guitar. And you WILL get dinged in the technical judging aspect. At least learn a few chops, and not embarrass yourself.

The TCAGTI is coming soon. After all is complete, one session per week. Of course, a DVD will be available in 2012, if you want the whole collection in one shot.

Stay tuned.

Also in the works for 2012, the Tiger Claw Air Guitar Invitational. A competition based solely on technical expertise. Most likely at a club too small for fancy dance moves, and costuming will cost you a point. Oh, did Claw mention cash prizes? He just did.

Stay tuned.