January 11th, 2010 — Ramon Sampson Named America's Best Undiscovered Drummer in World's Largest Drum Competition

Guitar Center today announced Ramon Sampson as the winner of Guitar Center's Drum-Off, the search for the nation's top undiscovered drummer. Performing in front of a capacity crowd this past Friday, January 8th at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, 19-year-old Ramon Sampson from Cordova, Tennessee beat out four other Drum-Off finalists from all across the country, winning a prize package worth more than $40,000 and earning the title of Guitar Center's Drum-Off Champion. Ramon was chosen by a panel of judges that featured some of today's most respected and distinguished drummers including the legendary Peter Erskine (Steely Dan), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Drew Hester (Foo Fighters / Joe Walsh), Thomas Lang, Jason Sutter (Chris Cornell), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / Sessions Legend), John Tempesta (The Cult), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z), Nisan Stewart (Jamie Foxx / 50 Cent) and Ray Luzier (Korn).

The evening's competition was the culmination of months of local and regional competitions held at each of Guitar Center's 214 stores across the country - competitions that resulted in selecting the top five undiscovered drummers in the nation from nearly 5,000 competitors. As Guitar Center's Drum-Off champion, Ramon takes home a grand prize package worth more than $40,000 including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-25 electronic drum kit, a custom designed drum kit by Tama, a set of custom signature cymbals from Zildjian, 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.

Guitar Center's Drum-Off Finals, hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), also paid homage to the drum greats of past, present, and future and featured exclusive performances by many of today's drumming elite. The evening began with a collaboration by metal heavyweights Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon), followed by the Drum-Off finals where the top five undiscovered drummers in the nation competed for the drum world's ultimate prize. Following the Drum-Off finals was an emotional performance by Jason Bonham and special guests Glen Hughes (Deep Purple) and Joe Bonamassa as they paid tribute to his father, the legendary John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Next came a surprise performance from drum legend Billy Cobham, whose work with Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis, and Carlos Santana, as well as his own acclaimed solo work earned him the second induction in Guitar Center's Drum Legends of the night. Guitar Center's Drum-Off finals culminated in with Tommy Lee and the Street Drum Corps' Frank Zummo presentation of "BEZERK." The wild production, exclusively commissioned by Guitar Center, featured some of the world's most accomplished drummers including a phenomenal duet by Max Weinberg (Bruce Springtsteen's E-Street Band / NBC's The Tonight Show) and his son Jay Weinberg, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns 'N Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), Abe Cunningham (Deftones), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), BANG! and more.

For Ramon Sampson, winning Guitar Center's Drum-Off is the result of his lifelong passion for music. Born in South Africa to a family of musicians, Ramon began drumming with his father at age two. By the time he was 14, he was touring South Africa, playing with his own jazz group, and studying at South Africa's prestigious National School of the Arts. In 2006, Ramon's family emigrated from South Africa to the U.S., and in 2007, he signed up for Drum-Off at his local Guitar Center. Ramon didn't make it past the preliminary rounds that year, but with much practice made it all the way to the Drum-Off Finals the following year. This year, Ramon beat out over 4,000 other drummers from around the country in five rounds of intense competition, becoming Guitar Center's Drum-Off Champion. After winning the competition, Ramon is keeping his career options open, but is especially interested in educating other drummers about the craft. "I believe that in life if we are given a talent, it's meant for us to share with other people," Ramon said following his victory.

January 06th, 2010 — Max Weinberg To Perform Alongside His Son Jay Weinberg At Guitar Center's Drum-Off Finals!

Legendary Drummer of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and NBC's The Tonight Show To Appear in "Bezerk" An Exclusive Project Featuring TOMMY LEE and Street Drum Corps' FRANK ZUMMO with CHAD SMITH (Red Hot Chili Peppers), MATT SORUM (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver), JOSÉ PASILLAS (Incubus), And More

Guitar Center announced today that Max Weinberg will join a star-studded list of drummers including his son, Jay Weinberg to perform in "Bezerk" - an exclusive project commissioned by Guitar Center and presented by Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe) and the Street Drum Corps' Frank Zummo - as part of the upcoming Drum-Off Grand Finals, taking place January 8, 2010 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Artists performing in "Bezerk" include Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), Abe Cunningham (Deftones), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Jay Weinberg and BANG!. Hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), this historic evening will also include a very special tribute to the legendary John Bonham by Jason Bonham, along with an exclusive collaborative performance by Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon®).

December 29th, 2009 — Guitar Center Announces Drum-Off Grand Finalists and Judges

January 8, 2010 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles

December 22, 2009 - Westlake Village, CA - Guitar Center today announced the top five finalists of Drum-Off 2009, the world's largest and longest running search to find the nation's top undiscovered drummer. These five finalists will travel to Los Angeles, where they will compete in front of a star-studded capacity crowd at the Wiltern on January 8, 2010. One talented drummer will win a prize package worth more than $40,000 and the title of "Guitar Center's Drum-Off Champion," - The nation's top undiscovered drummer.

The five drummers battling for Guitar Center's Drum-Off Championship crown are:

Troy Molsberry (Carlsbad, CA)
Eugine McBride (Flint, MI)
Stanley Jamal Hampton (Smithtown, NY)
Ramon Sampson (Cordova, TN)
Michael McGrath (Henderson, NV)

Beating out more than 4,000 other drummers in several rounds of local and regional competitions over the past several months, the five finalists will now face the final round of competition judged by a panel of highly accomplished drum celebrities including Peter Erskine (Steely Dan), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Drew Hester (Foo Fighters / Joe Walsh), Thomas Lang, Jason Sutter (Chris Cornell), Kenny Aronoff (John Cougar Mellancamp / Sessions Legend), John Tempesta (The Cult), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z), Nisan Stewart (Jamie Foxx / 50 Cent) and Ray Luzier (Korn).

December 3rd, 2009 — Tony Royster Jr., Cora Coleman-Dunham, Thomas Lang, Jerome Flood II, and Longineu "LP" Parsons to perform at the Drum-Off Regional Finals

Come see the nation's top undiscovered drummers in the nation compete for the chance to move on to the grand finals and the title of Drum-Off champion! Regional Finals will be held at five Guitar Center stores from across the country: Guitar Center Hollywood, Brooklyn, Houston, Hallandale, and Arlington Heights. Each regional final promises to be a must see event with top artists in the drum community performing and judging, plus a special Roland V-Drum showcase. Click on the poster for location details.

November 9th, 2009 — Tickets now on sale for Drum-Off Grand Finals

Guitar Center announced today that Tommy Lee and the Street Drum Corps' Frank Zummo will present "Bezerk" - an exclusive project commissioned by Guitar Center, featuring some of today's top drummers and artists - as part of the upcoming Drum-Off Grand Finals, taking place January 8, 2010 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Artists performing in "Bezerk" include Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns 'N Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Jay Weinberg, BANG! and others to be announced. Hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), this historic evening will also include a very special tribute to John Bonham by Jason Bonham, along with an exclusive collaborative performance by Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon).

These all-star drummers will all come together on one stage to celebrate the night's main event: performances by the top five undiscovered drummers in the nation, who will compete in front of a capacity crowd and a panel of celebrity judges to see who will win a prize package worth more than $40,000 and the title of "Guitar Center Drum-Off Champion" - the nation's top undiscovered drummer. Guitar Center will also induct drum icons Billy Cobham and John Bonham into Guitar Center's Drum Legends as part of the evening's festivities.

Tickets for the show are only $10, and are on sale now at LiveNation.com.

October 26th, 2009 - Congratulations 2009 Drum-Off Store Winners!

Catch these fine drummers at the District Finals, Thursday, November 5th as they try to make it one step closer to Drum-Off Champion!

Dawud Aasiya-Bey - Alta Loma, CA Chuck Gullens - Van Nuys, CA Victor Vanacore - Oxnard, CA Richard Sandak - Valencia, CA Jeremy Brooks - Lomita, CA Troy Molsberry - Carlsbad, CA Isaac Murillo - National City, CA Manny Lizardo - Norwalk, CA Anthony Sheriff - Los Angeles, CA Aric Improta - Fullerton, CA John Brook Emelio - Sun Valley, CA Ramon Michel - Whittier, CA Lonnie Sumrall - Menifee, CA Jorge Galvan - Palmdale, CA Michael Davila - Desert Hot Springs, CA Kevin Smith - Indio, CA Forrest Rice - Rancho Cucamonga, CA Nicholas Sturz - Tehachapi, CA Al Serrato - Temple City, Ca Edward Murray 3rd - Visalia, CA John Sotelo - Clovis, CA Alexander Lee Warner - Reno, NV Joaquim Greve - San Francisco, CA Timothy Duffy - Morgan Hill, CA Jesus Garcia - San Jose, CA Carlin Johnson - Oakland, CA Clarence Lewis - Concord, CA Larry Belton Jr. - Sacramento, CA Alex Bent - Escalon, CA Anthony Salazar - Folsom, CA Michael McGrath - Henderson, NV Tyler Wunder - Las Vegas, NV Jeffrey Hall - Phoenix, AZ Michael Soucy - Phoenix, AZ Jonathon Rodriguez - Tucson, AZ Daniel F Radel Jr - Phoenix, AZ Syr Mitchell - Avondale, AZ Matthew P. De La O - Albuquerque, NM Carlos Ramirez - Canutillo, TX Robert Villega - Irving, TX Jon Newman - Grand Prairie, TX Ben Croucher - Dallas, TX Ryan Brown - Sherman, TX James Dunn - Forth Worth, TX James Canada Jr. - Tulsa, OK Brandon Maddex - Oklahoma City, OK John Richard Puga - Odessa, TX Salatiel Monge - Amarillo, TX Jared Lewis - Lewisville, TX Samuel Smith - Centerton, AR Kenyon Chatman - Houston, TX Marvan E. Alexander - Houston, TX Ronald Dorsey Jr - Houston, TX Brian Foster - Austin, TX Trevin Thurman - Rockport, TX Joshua Lee Cardenas - Austin, TX Mason Macias - San Antonio, TX Lee Rodriguez - McAllen, TX Jose Santan - Laredo, TX Michael Escobedo - Brownsville, TX Jeremiah Lee Branson - Orange, TX Kortney Dondell - Killeen, TX Louie Ruiz - Caldwell, Id Daniel Carrillo - Lakewood, CO Ryan Forbes Maskewitz - Boulder, CO Michael Mosteller - Denver, CO Desmond Washington - Colorado Springs, CO David G. Noller - Howard, CO Casey Glass - Loveland, CO Robert Tinney - Sandy, UT Michael L Lomax - Kaysville, UT Jharis A. Yokley - St. Louis, MO Alexander Eckhoff - St. Charles, MO Bruce Dean Walker III - Kansas City, KS John Anderson - Springfield, MO Tyrone Jennings - E. St. Louis, IL Seth Curl - Sioux Falls, SD Jason Carroll - Wichita, KS Johandy Urena - Shawnee, KS Bret Dlouhy - Lincoln, NE Conrad Real - Seattle, WA Paul Stoot - Everett, WA Nick Pierce - Tacoma, WA Aaron Bowley - Bellevue, WA Brian Williams - Spanaway, WA Lance Roethle - Spokane, WA Larry London - Turner, OR Steve Seus - Central Point, OR Dennis Dove - Portland, OR Kai Vandepitte - Vancouver, WA Brandon K Tolliver - Chicago, IL Michael Alongi - Mount Prospect, IL Ricardo Contreras - Chicago, IL Jeremy Calloway - Maywood, IL Mike Destefano - Park Ridge, IL David Gray - Aurora, IL Nick Hawkins - Hebron, IL Kenneth Franklin II - CC Hills, IL Foster Pest - Rochelle, IL Allen P. Cotton - Bolingbrook, IL Curtis Clark - Merriville, IN Anthony Burns - Saginaw, MI Paul Bauer - Kalzamoo, MI Eugene McBride - Flint, MI Dujuan Calhoun - Inkster, MI Jared Sandling - Roseville, MI Garth Mosher - Commerce, MI

Kristopher Brooks - Westland, MI Cameron Polidan - Muskegon, MI Ryan Ferguson - Toledo, OH Winford Morrisey - Niles, MI Joshua Tilton - Des Moines, IA Greg Collister - Galva, IL Kegan Bakken - Cedar Falls, IA Jeremy Ramasir - New Richmond, WI Fred Boswell - Milwaukee, WI Dustin Helgestad - Janesville, WI Bill Repavich - Pewaukee, WI Kevin Rendelman - Peoria, IL Joe Jacobs - Lakeville, MN Blayr Alexander - Coon Rapids, MN Scott Chabot - Cottage Grove, MN Dontae Mackey - Cincinnati, OH Phillip M Knight Jr. - Dayton, OH Robert Jennings - Butler, KY Joshua Daniels - Prestonburg, KY Trevor Woodgett - Indianapolis, IN James Simmons - Fort Wayne, IN John Swope - Patoka, IN Perry Dattilo - Henderson, KY Reuben Gingrich - Bloomington, IN Michael Harris - Baton Rouge, LA Lance McAskill - Mobile, AL Zachary Mullings - Mirimar, FL Jermane Dukes - Miami, FL Adam Picoli - Jupiter, FL Orlando Muniz-Rivera - Lakeland, FL Ghaith Khder - Hudson, FL Taylor McKinley Robinson - Cape Coral, FL Timothy Washington - St. Petersburg, FL Jesse Williams - Charlotte, NC Chesley Allen - Raleigh, NC Richard Trice - Durham, NC Norman Allred - High Point, NC Wayne Thornton - Douglasville, GA Eric Solomon - Smyrna, GA Andrew Faletti - Lawrenceville, GA Devon Taylor - Stockbridge, GA Chris Osborne - Springfield, TN Noah Seiple - Louisville, TN Ramon Sampson - Cordova, TN Emrah Kotan - Roswell, GA Stephen Bailey - Little Rock, AR Joshua Stringer - Birmingham, AL Arvell Smith - Selma, AL Steven Maben - Jackson, MS Quentin Ravenel - Goose Creek, SC Clyde Frazier III - Orangeburg, SC David Adam Robinson - Mobile, AL Johnathan Parks - Apopka, FL Richard Rivera - Clermont, FL Zerick Randolph - Ft. Walton, FL Cory Douglas - Lake City, FL Justin Sanders - Tallahassee, FL Benjamin Cowan - Baltimore, MD Jordan Hunter - Baltimore, MD Ernie Slenkovich - Silver Spring, MD Nathan Read - Falls Church, VA Lydia Lewis - Stephens City, VA Chris Clark - Norfolk, VA Michael Pipoly - Fredericksburg, VA Scott Fitzhugh - Glen Allen, VA Justin Cohen - Derry, NH Shawn M Deneault - Smithfield, RI Tonto Taranto - West Bath, ME Brannon Nelson - Boston, NA Scott Beddia - Fitchburg, MA Michael Odabashian - Providence, RI Christian Orellana - N. Smithfeld, RI Michael Wassmer - Brookfield, MA Ashton Thomas - Lorain, OH Jermaine J Jackson - East Cleveland, OH Terron Howell - Columbus, OH Thomas Bryant - Canton, OH Derek Dixie - Youngstown, OH Anton Oliverio - Salamanca, NY Levi Bennett - Rochester, NY Quindell Palmer - Syracuse, NY Nathan Barnes - Waterbury, CT Robert Siraco - Middlebury, CT Stephen Allen - Norwich, CT Jotan Afanador - Bronx, NY Nelly Negron - Northampton, PA Andre Davis IV - Neptune, NJ Joseph Sparandeo - Clifton, NJ David Moore - Belleville, NJ Nathanael Berges - Linwood, NJ Felipe Torres - Leonia, NJ Marcello Izzo - Pine Hill, NJ Michael Rubinstein - Robbinsville, NJ Joseph Bondra IV - North Wale, PA Noah Connolly - State College, PA Michael O'Connell - Harrisburg, PA Evan Lintz - Morgantown, WV Emmanuel Rodriguez - Allentown, PA Jerad Lippi - Jessup, PA Scott Macfeat - Strasburg, PA Shariq (Gregory) Tucker - Bronx, NY Ben Greenspan - Glen Cove, NY Eli Monserrat - Glendale, NY Stanley Hampton - Smithtown, NY Greg Nash - Loudonville, NY Demetrius Pass - South Richmond Hill, NY Jim Rosati - Binghamton, NY