8-Year-Old May Lose AC/DC Prize Due to Error
- Posted on Jul 24th 2009 4:00PM by Dan Reilly
- Comments (17)
At some point in our young lives, we were told "life isn't fair." For the majority, that phrase accompanied a lesson about not being able to stay up late or wondering why we didn't get some shiny new toy. For eight-year-old Josh Bowman, learning that lesson means potentially getting hosed out of an AC/DC fan's dream prize because of a computer error.Bowman is one of three finalists in the "Ultimate AC/DC Fan Experience" contest, the winner of which will get two tickets to each of the band's Canadian shows, first-class train tickets, hotel accommodations, photographer passes and the band's full catalog. Each entrant had to write a paragraph on why they loved the band and once they were selected, the finalists each submitted a one-minute video to be judged by their fellow fans. Two days into the voting, Bowman had a 20 percent lead over the next competitor but there was a problem: only two of the three videos were posted online.
The company running the contest, Sympatico/MSN, decided to correct the error by wiping out all the votes and extending the contest by another two days. Now, with the vote ending Sunday night, Bowman is behind by 16 percent and as he tells the Toronto Star, "it's not fair."
His mom, Lydia, is also upset with the decision. "I just think that they're teaching Joshua especially that you don't need to be accountable and you don't need to follow the rules," she said. "I'm not trying to teach my son he needs to win. If you asked him, he would say, 'You don't always win.' My issue is that you need to stand up when someone's not being fair to you." Spokesperson Jacqueline Michelis disagrees, saying "The contest has been run fairly and legally."
All little Josh wants to do is get to see AC/DC. "I like what they do on the stage because it's cool," he said. Unfortunately, it's unclear if he understands what songs like 'Love at First Feel,' 'Givin' the Dog a Bone' or 'Sink the Pink' are really about. To see the videos and vote, click here.





Reader Comments(1 of 1)
rolnstoanat 7-24-2009
hey mom...who wants the prizes, you or your child? Have you been to an ACDC show? Loud, very loud, protect you son's ears. ACDC should honor his win, but i question who really wants to win.
robnet77at 7-24-2009
i would be pisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssed off!!!!!!!!!!!.for those about to rock we salute you.
longturnat 7-24-2009
what a jip.
poor kid, I would love to go to the concerts.
I have been to a couple of ac/dc concerts, and they are all my favorite concerts.
It sure is crazy that our kids love our music!!
I guess we gave them good taste in music!!
eternalnormanat 7-24-2009
An 8 year old at an AC/DC show?? Sounds like child abuse to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the band but to bring an 8 year old out to tag along with one of the biggest tits and ass peddlers in rock isn't exactly 'good parenting'. The parents (parent?) needs to grow up and quit being the kids friend. Jesus, what next, 'lose your virginity to Gene Simmons' contest??
durtpileat 7-24-2009
Hey, I feel for the kid but what everybody seems to forget is that because ALL THREE of the videos weren't posted one contestant got the short end from the start. Now, if all of the videos had been offered up in the beginning and the kid had the lead only to have the contest start over, then yeah, he was wronged and has every right to be pissed. As it stands, they had to do something since the one contestant was left out.
raidrmik67at 7-24-2009
Seems fair to me since the third video never was listed.
Kinda of funny how the author lists a few songs the kid might not understand. How about The Jack? LOL
"we're just a battery for hire with a guitar fire, ready and aimed at you, so pick up your balls and load up your cannons for a 21 gun salute......."
AC DC the greatest Rock&Roll band in the world.
Dave Grammerat 7-24-2009
now that's jacked, He won faily and they want to change the rules because an 8 year old won.
Hello, You Bastaat 7-24-2009
I am a big AC/DC fan but I wouldn't let my 8 year old go to their concert(s).
Are you kidding?
However, I still want a mistress for Christmas.......
Beckyat 7-24-2009
The kid looked like he was reading mom's script. Dale's video deserves to win!
baddawg123at 7-25-2009
hell...ime 49 years old and ime not sure what those songs are about either.it would help if i could understand what he is singing ! lol...but they ROCK !
moonfairy77777at 7-25-2009
My son is 19 and he saw AC DC this year, but this kid was walking around singing AC/DC songs when he was 4 and 5. It is really possible the kids loves ac/dc mine did.
moonfairy77777at 7-25-2009
my kid is 19 and he saw ac/dc this year. At 5 and 6 he was walking around singing their songs. It is very possible the 8 year old loves them
genelordat 7-26-2009
I loved AC/DC at 8 years old as well. However, I would have never been allow to attend a concert. The band should send him an autographed guitar and give the prize to the second place entry.
genelordat 7-26-2009
AC/DC should send him an autographed guitar and award the grand prize to the runner-up. I loved the band at a very young age but common sense says the lad should not attend a concert for a few years! Rock on!!!
lmonaghanrat 7-28-2009
they made the error pay the price give all three of them the prize
tylerat 8-06-2009
that bitch should off call that dame police