After months of local and regional competitions held at each of Guitar Center’s 214 stores across the country, the top six undiscovered drummers in the nation have been selected from a field of nearly 5,000 competitors. The six finalists will go head to head on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 at Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand finals in Los Angeles for a prize package worth over $45,000, as they perform in front of a capacity crowd at the historic Music Box at Fonda Theater. This year’s judges include: Adrian Young (No Doubt), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Kenny Aronoff, The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold) and Danny Carey (Tool).
The show will also feature performances from drumming greats Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), an exclusive collaboration by Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta) and Thomas Lang and a headlining performance by Papa Roach. The evening will be hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction).
The Six Finalists are:
Juan Carlos Mendoza (E. Brunsick, NJ)
Jerome Flood III (Lawrenceville, GA)
Anthony Burns (Saginaw, MI)
Ramon Sampson (Memphis, TN)
Sherman Arnold (Englewoodm CO)
Timm Newton (La Mesa, CA)
Last but not least Guitar Center will posthumously honor the legendary drumming icon Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience) along with living legends Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) and Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ted Nugent, Rod Stewart) during the show, as they induct them into Guitar Center’s “Drum-Legends†Hall of Fame. Started three years ago, “Drum Legends†was created to acknowledge the contributions of many of today’s most legendary and iconic drummers. Guitar Center has dedicated a special section in their flagship San Francisco location to “Drum Legendsâ€, featuring past inductees including Steve Smith, David Garibaldi, Alan White, Greg Errico and others.
For 20 years Guitar Center’s annual Drum-Off has been recognized by the music community as one of the most important platforms for unsigned talent, and a springboard to stardom for many seriously talented young drummers. Prior Drum-Off champs who have gone on to become successful pro drummers include Cora “CC†Dunham (Prince; Drum-Off ’02 Champ), Eric Moore (Bobby Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Infectious Grooves, Suicidal Tendencies; Drum-Off ‘03 Champ), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z; Drum-Off ’95 Champ) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), who became Guitar Center’s Drum-Off champion in 1993 when he was just 9 years old!
Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is designed to provide developing artists with support-based opportunities that vastly improve the potential for their success as professional musicians. In addition to the incredible exposure these drummers receive from participating in Drum-Off, one lucky winner will also take home $25,000 cash, plus another $20,000 in gear, including a Roland TD-20 kit, and a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums as well as a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals, be featured in Modern Drummer magazine, and in a Guitar Center ad campaign, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2009 and shopping sprees with Levi’s, Converse and Guitar Center. A Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal is also part of the prize package, making the total prize package worth over $45,000. In addition, Sabian, Zildjian, Remo, Pro-Mark, Vic Firth, Evans and Rhythm Tech are all proud sponsors of Drum-Off 08.
Don’t miss Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand Finals!
Saturday, January 10, 2009 – 7pm
All Ages! – $15
The Music Box at Fonda Theater
Hollywood, California
