8-Year-Old May Lose AC/DC Prize Due to Error

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.

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