Guitar Center's 27th Annual Drum-Off champion Tony Taylor Jr.

NOV. 14 I GUITAR CENTER I EVENT
GC Prepares for 28th Annual Drum-Off

Guitar Center's Drum-Off contest will hold its semifinals on Nov. 15. The Grand Finals of the retailer's annual search for the top undiscovered drummer will be Jan. 14, 2017, at The Novo in Los Angeles.

Drummers across the country began competing more than three months ago at GC stores nationwide, among a pool of over 4,000 participants. Following several rounds of competition, the top 30 drummers will compete in the semifinals on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. local time for a chance to move on to the national grand finals.

Additionally, the semifinals will feature a special Roland percussion showcase and exclusive artist performances at several GC locations across the country, including Venzella Joy (Beyonce's drummer) at the Hollywood store, 2003 Drum-Off champion Eric Moore (Suicidal Tendencies) at the Arlington Heights, Illinois, location, 2011 Drum-Off champion JP Bouvet at the Houston store, 2007 Drum-Off champion Donnie Marple (Lee Brice) in Memphis, and last year's Drum-Off champion Tony Taylor Jr. at the Times Square location in New York.

"Winning Drum-Off has definitely been the launching pad for my career as a professional drummer," said 27th annual Drum-Off champion Tony Taylor Jr. "It's connected me with a larger audience and also been an incentive to continue to work on my craft. I'm truly thankful to Guitar Center and everyone else involved with Drum-Off who believes in supporting drummers in pursuit of their musical aspirations."

"Drum-Off has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the drum community," said Maria Brown, manager of music and entertainment marketing for GC, and who has been involved in Drum-Off for the past 11 years. "Each year Drum-Off gives emerging artists the platform and encouragement to grow as musicians while bringing the drum industry together to highlight the gear drummers need to take their skills to the next level."

Starting Nov. 1, tickets for the grand finals will be available at axs.com.

guitarcenter.com/drumoff