Crate Digger's Challenge

Event Title: The Crate Digger's Challenge: Music To My Ear & Northern Audio

Summary: Do you have the golden ears and nimble fingers to unearth a vinyl treasure on a budget? Join our first-ever Crate Digger's Challenge! For a $15 budget and 30 minutes on the clock, you could be crowned champion, win back your cash, and snag a $100 gift certificate. Limited Challenger spots available—sign up now or join the crowd to watch the fun and cast your vote!

About This Event

Have you ever felt that thrill? The one that comes from flipping through a stack of used records and landing on an absolute gem. That forgotten masterpiece, a wild piece of cover art, or a pressing you’ve been hunting for years.

At Music To My Ear and Northern Audio, we live for that moment of discovery. And now, we’re turning it into a competition.

We’re inviting 16 passionate music lovers to take The Crate Digger's Challenge. It’s a test of your taste, your digging skills, and your ability to find treasure under pressure. The mission is simple, but the glory is immense.

How It Works: The Phases of the Challenge

1. The Mission Begins (Check-in at Music To My Ear)Challengers will check in and receive their official "Challenger" credentials. We'll give a quick welcome, go over the rules one last time, and get ready for the main event.

2. The Dig (30 Minutes of Frantic Fun)When our host, Greg, yells "GO!", the clock starts. Challengers have exactly 30 minutes to scour the used vinyl bins at Music To My Ear to find one single record with a budget of just $15. Once the buzzer sounds, you bring your chosen LP to the counter and purchase it—this is your official "buy-in"!

3. The Listening Party (Upstairs at Northern Audio)With records in hand, the entire group—Challengers and spectators alike—will head upstairs to a premier listening room at Northern Audio. The system will be warmed up and ready. Each Challenger will have 60 seconds to introduce their pick and tell the crowd why it's a hidden gem. Then, we’ll drop the needle and play a representative track on a truly phenomenal high-end audio system.

4. The Tournament Showdown (The Bracket Battle!)This isn't a simple vote. This is a tournament! After the presentations, we'll reveal a bracket, pitting challengers' records against each other in head-to-head matchups. The crowd votes for their favorite find in each pairing, and the winner moves on to the next round. The twist? For each new round, advancing Challengers must select a different track from their LP. This isn't just about finding one great song—it's about finding one great album!

5. The Champion is Crowned (The Final Face-Off)The battles continue, round after round, with subsequent tracks being played from the winning LPs. The field narrows until only two finalists remain. After a final musical face-off, the audience will cast the deciding vote to crown the one true Crate Digger's Champion!

The Grand Prize

The crowned Crate Digger's Champion will receive:

• A full cash refund for the record they just purchased.
• A $100 Gift Certificate to use at Music To My Ear.
• Ultimate Bragging Rights as the first-ever champion!

Calling All Music Fans & Spectators! (No Digging Required)

Don't want to compete? No problem! Come be a part of the fun and, most importantly, the jury!

• You Decide the Winner: Your vote helps crown the champion.
• Hear Amazing Music: Discover new (or old) tunes played on a world-class Northern Audio sound system you might not otherwise get to experience.
• All Fun, No Pressure: It's a perfect way to spend an afternoon, soak up the community vibe, and talk music with fellow vinyl lovers.

Spectator tickets are free, but please register so we know you're coming!

The Official Rules for Challengers

To ensure a fair and fun event, please note the following:

• Registration: Challenger spots are limited to 16 people and are first-come, first-served via this Eventbrite page.
• Budget: Your chosen record must be priced at or below $15 (before tax).
• Source: Records must be selected from the Music To My Ear used vinyl bins only. No sealed records are allowed.
• Time Limit: The 30-minute digging time is strict!
• The Buy-In: Challengers must purchase their selected record with their own money.
• Playability: Part of the challenge is checking the record's condition! If your chosen track is unplayable due to a bad scratch, you'll have one chance to quickly pick another track from the same album.

This event is all about the thrill of the hunt and sharing music. While there's a prize on the line, the main goal is to have fun, so bring your competitive spirit but leave any bad vibes at the door!

Ready to take the challenge? Register for your "Challenger" spot now—they will go fast! Or, grab a free "Spectator & Voter" add-on ticket to join the audience. We can't wait to see what you find!