American teen quits school to play 'Guitar Hero'

Gibson's self tuning guitar

16-year-old Blake Peebles wants a career out of it

An American teenager has dropped out of high school in order to become an expert at the video game Guitar Hero.

Blake Peebles, 16, quit his sophomore year at North Raleigh Christian Academy to concentrate on perfecting his game, which so far has seen him win prizes from gift certificates to gaming equipment and chicken sandwiches.

The Raleigh, North Carolina native’s parents hired a tutor and allowed their son to drop out of school after he wore them down with his complaints.

"We couldn't take the complaining anymore. He always told me that he thought school was a waste of time," his mother Hunter told The News & Observer.

Peebles hopes to get to professional-level gaming, which can see competitors earn from $25,000 to $80,000 per year, although the figure is usually at the lower end and sponsorship opportunities are rare for competitors who coming in any lower than first place.

--By our New York staff.
Find out more about NME.

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Comments (6)

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mr_mattie

Aug 20, 2008

It's worrying to read this article. I've been thinking it for a while but it's a great concern for the music industry in my opinion. Games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are preventing kids from learning to play actual instruments. It's certainly easier, cheaper, quieter and more fun than trying to learn an actual instrument. But it's a concern that kids will become so obsessed with these games that the concept of playing a real guitar will be far too much effort for them and that'll lead to less bands starting up.

james neville

Aug 20, 2008

what a fucking legend!

whatawasteoftime

Aug 20, 2008

What a wanker

phrilly

Aug 20, 2008

"We couldn't take the complaining anymore. He always told me that he thought school was a waste of time." Don't all kids say that at some point? The parents must be fucking mince.

hear_no_evil_see_no_evil_speak...my_mind

Aug 20, 2008

mr_mattie aint that the truth me and my mate started to learn the guitar at the same time i can strangle about 15 songs out of it and he can't finish one because he bought guitar hero, he's a fuckin demon @ guitar hero though. For what it's worth.