Taylor Guitars, together with Elixir Strings and SonicBids.com, has determined the five finalists in the companies’ “Test Drive Electric” contest for emerging artists. Nearly 1,000 acts entered, and after a preliminary round of popular voting, a panel of artist relations professionals from the companies chose five finalists: singer-songwriter Tyler Shea, and bands Crash Coordinates, Evaline, Fairfax, and Shot Heard Around the World.

As part of the competition, each of the finalists have received Taylor SolidBody electric guitars, the ultimate in strings and cables from Elixir, and a Crybaby Wah pedal and Max Grip Nylon Picks from Dunlop. Each act also was tasked with creating a music video using their new gear. Check them out below and be sure to vote for your favorite by March 31 by visiting http://testdriveelectric2010.taylorguitars.com. The winner of the popular vote will enjoy an artist relationship with Taylor Guitars and Elixir Strings, the chance to show off their musical prowess and new gear in a recording session at a world-class music studio, and a paid performance slot at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, “The World’s Largest Music Festival.”

Tyler Shea

Crash Coordinates

Evaline

Fairfax

Shot Heard Around the World