First Round of Competitions Begin September 24 In Over 100 Cities Around the Country!

Now in its 21st year, Guitar Center's Drum-Off has been a launching pad for numerous professional drummers, including Cora Coleman-Dunham and Tony Royster Jr, two Drum-Off winners who have gone on to become highly acclaimed professional drummers (with Prince and Jay Z respectively).

Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is part of Guitar Center's ongoing mission to provide emerging artists and musicians with career-altering opportunities that encourage and support their journey in becoming professional musicians.

Drum-Off inspires up-and-coming drummers to further their musical aspirations, while at the same time encouraging the local music community and providing a platform for local musicians to network and be discovered. Guitar Center's Drum-Off '09 will feature competitions in over 200 Guitar Center locations across the country, culminating with the Grand Finals in Los Angeles in January 2010.

Guitar Center's Drum-Off '09 champion will win an impressive package of prizes, including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-25 electronic kit, a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums, a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals as well as a feature in Modern Drummer magazine, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2010 and a Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal, making the total prize package worth over $40,000. Additionally, Monster Energy, Pro-Mark, Latin Percussion, DW, Remo, Vic Firth, Orange County Drum and Percussion, Zildjian, Sabian, Gretsch, Roland, Tama, Pearl, Evans and Modern Drummer are all proud sponsors of Guitar Center's Drum-Off 09.

How Drum-Off Works:

Local competitions begin September 24 in all 214 Guitar Center locations from nationwide. One winner from each store will be chosen to move up to district competitions (24 locations), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations) and culminating in the final championship Drum-Off in Los Angeles in January of 2010 (exact date and venue TBD).

COMPETITION DATES:

STORE PRELIMS: September 24, October 1, and October 8.

STORE FINALS: October 15

DISTRICT FINALS: November 5

REGIONAL FINALS: December 3

GRAND FINALS: January 2010

Following the regional finals on December 3, five finalists will head for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform in front of a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges. The will also share the stage with some of today's most legendary drummers. Drum-Off '08 featured performances by Papa Roach, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), and a special collaborative performance by former Drum-Off winner Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta) and Thomas Lang.