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Contest To Drum Up Some Talent

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 29, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Local rock star wannabes will compete Wednesday to be the next Keith Moon or Neil Peart during Guitar Center's Drum-Off 2007.

Starting at 7 p.m., six drummers, the area finalists, will perform a 3-minute solo of any genre for judges and spectators to compete for a spot in the district finals, which take place Oct. 24 in Hallandale.

Winners from store finals in Kendall, West Palm Beach, Lakeland, Fort Myers, Clearwater and Hallandale will compete against the Tampa victor.

The contest, in its 19th year, is happening in all 200 Guitar Center stores nationwide. The Tampa competition will take place at the Guitar Center at 3914 W. Hillsborough Ave.

Judges will consist of drummers from local bands and drumming teachers, said spokeswoman Heather Lewandoski. The winner of the store final will receive drum accessories and T-shirts. The six finalists competing Wednesday have gone through preliminary rounds that began Sept. 12.

The winner of the district title will then compete in the regional finals Nov. 14 in Clearlake, Texas. They will have to play a 5-minute solo. That winner will advance with winners of three other regional finals to the grand finals, which may take place in Los Angeles in December or January, Lewandoski said. The overall winner will be awarded prizes totaling $45,000, which include a Toyota FJ Cruiser, a feature in a Guitar Center ad campaign and a custom designed drum kit.
Drummers had to be 16 or older to compete. Contestants in past grand finals have been judged by known drummers such as Blink 182's Travis Barker and No Doubt's Adrian Young, Lewandoski said. Winners have gone on to become drummers for Prince and Sly and The Family Stone.

'It's a great opportunity for drummers to get their foot in the door, and it's a chance to perform in front of great drummers,' she said.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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