THERE were many things about Madonna's Drowned World tour last year that stunned audiences but none more so than the sight of her playing guitar.

As well as giving it some punk attitude during her performance of Candy Perfume Girl, she strummed her way through her ode to husband Guy Ritchie, I Deserve It.

It seems her fans weren't the only ones impressed with the singer's musicianship, as she's been nominated for the Les Paul Horizon Award at the Orville H Gibson Guitar Awards.

The award recognises up-and-coming guitarists and Madonna's fellow nominees include singer-songwriter Michelle Branch and blues man Chris Thomas King.