Phenix
02-11-2007, 05:43 PM
Go here (http://www.guitarcenter.com/drumoff/index.cfm) and click Watch Video! (below the picture)
Official Press Release from Guitar Center
GUITAR CENTER NAMES DANIEL RODRIGUEZ DRUM OFF 2006 CHAMPION
New York's Own Earns Title of Nation's Top Undiscovered Drummer at Grand Finals of World's Largest Drum Competition
LOS ANGELES (January 11, 2007) - In front of today's most influential drummers and a packed house at Hollywood's Music Box @ Fonda Theatre, the nation's top four undiscovered drummers battled it out for glory at Guitar Center's Drum Off 2006 Grand Finals. Though all four showed their prowess, it was 22-year-old Daniel Rodriguez who proved he had the unmatched passion and technique to be hailed as the nation's finest undiscovered drummer. As if the title of Drum Off champion wasn't enough, Rodriguez shared the stage with powerhouse musicians including +44, Stephen Perkins, The Matches, and Street Drum Corps.
"Drum Off is more than just the grand finals; it's a six-month-long commitment to providing a platform for our customers to achieve the recognition they deserve," said Dustin Hinz, event marketing and promotions manager for Guitar Center. "There's no question that these four drummers have had a life-changing experience. Whether it was playing in front of a sold-out crowd filled with A-level musicians, celebrities, press and industry heavyweights, meeting their drumming heroes or forging life-long relationships with their peers, each competitor walks away from Drum Off a winner. Of course, the $38,000 in prizes doesn't hurt either."
Rodriguez celebrated his victory in typical Hollywood fashion - at a VIP after-party overlooking Hollywood Blvd., where he rubbed elbows with some of the finest drummers in the industry including Adrian Young (No Doubt), Taylor Hawkins (The Foo Fighters), Atom Willard (Angels and Airwaves) Keith Harris (Black Eyed Peas) ?uestlove (The Roots), Steve Ferrone (Eric Clapton), John Tempesta (The Cult), Jason Sutter (Smash Mouth) and numerous others.
Rodriguez outlasted 4,000 talented competitors throughout the six-month competition. After entering the preliminary competition at his local Guitar Center store in September, Rodriguez advanced to the in-store, district, regional and grand final competitions, proving his excellence in the categories of originality, technique, style, stage presence and overall performance.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native has been practicing his rolls since he was 5. A security guard by day, Rodriguez indulges in his hobby at night when he performs with his Christian rock band Justice at church events, concerts and weddings. He first entered Guitar Center's Drum Off in 1999 and came closest to victory in 2004 when he advanced to the Grand Finals. After seven years, Rodriguez's persistence finally paid off as he walked away with the title of Drum Off 2006 champion.
"I was truly blessed to meet all the talented, famous drummers who attended Drum Off," Rodriguez said. "One of my all-time dreams was to stand in the same room as guys like Travis Barker and Stephen Perkins. But to perform on the same stage as them and swap stories backstage was surreal. I'm so grateful for the opportunities Guitar Center has provided me, and I can't wait to see what happens next."
In addition to the coveted title as the nation's top undiscovered drummer, Rodriguez walked away with a 2006 Scion tC, $2,500 Guitar Center shopping spree, Roland V Pro electronic drum kit, custom designed SoBe Adrenaline Rush drum cases, a one-year drum and cymbal endorsement deal and thousands of dollars in gear from the industry's top manufacturers.
To receive more information or schedule an interview with a Drum Off contestant or Guitar Center spokesperson, please contact Formula at 310-578-7050.
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 195 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 90 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and website, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's web site at www.guitarcenter.com.
Official Press Release from Guitar Center
GUITAR CENTER NAMES DANIEL RODRIGUEZ DRUM OFF 2006 CHAMPION
New York's Own Earns Title of Nation's Top Undiscovered Drummer at Grand Finals of World's Largest Drum Competition
LOS ANGELES (January 11, 2007) - In front of today's most influential drummers and a packed house at Hollywood's Music Box @ Fonda Theatre, the nation's top four undiscovered drummers battled it out for glory at Guitar Center's Drum Off 2006 Grand Finals. Though all four showed their prowess, it was 22-year-old Daniel Rodriguez who proved he had the unmatched passion and technique to be hailed as the nation's finest undiscovered drummer. As if the title of Drum Off champion wasn't enough, Rodriguez shared the stage with powerhouse musicians including +44, Stephen Perkins, The Matches, and Street Drum Corps.
"Drum Off is more than just the grand finals; it's a six-month-long commitment to providing a platform for our customers to achieve the recognition they deserve," said Dustin Hinz, event marketing and promotions manager for Guitar Center. "There's no question that these four drummers have had a life-changing experience. Whether it was playing in front of a sold-out crowd filled with A-level musicians, celebrities, press and industry heavyweights, meeting their drumming heroes or forging life-long relationships with their peers, each competitor walks away from Drum Off a winner. Of course, the $38,000 in prizes doesn't hurt either."
Rodriguez celebrated his victory in typical Hollywood fashion - at a VIP after-party overlooking Hollywood Blvd., where he rubbed elbows with some of the finest drummers in the industry including Adrian Young (No Doubt), Taylor Hawkins (The Foo Fighters), Atom Willard (Angels and Airwaves) Keith Harris (Black Eyed Peas) ?uestlove (The Roots), Steve Ferrone (Eric Clapton), John Tempesta (The Cult), Jason Sutter (Smash Mouth) and numerous others.
Rodriguez outlasted 4,000 talented competitors throughout the six-month competition. After entering the preliminary competition at his local Guitar Center store in September, Rodriguez advanced to the in-store, district, regional and grand final competitions, proving his excellence in the categories of originality, technique, style, stage presence and overall performance.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native has been practicing his rolls since he was 5. A security guard by day, Rodriguez indulges in his hobby at night when he performs with his Christian rock band Justice at church events, concerts and weddings. He first entered Guitar Center's Drum Off in 1999 and came closest to victory in 2004 when he advanced to the Grand Finals. After seven years, Rodriguez's persistence finally paid off as he walked away with the title of Drum Off 2006 champion.
"I was truly blessed to meet all the talented, famous drummers who attended Drum Off," Rodriguez said. "One of my all-time dreams was to stand in the same room as guys like Travis Barker and Stephen Perkins. But to perform on the same stage as them and swap stories backstage was surreal. I'm so grateful for the opportunities Guitar Center has provided me, and I can't wait to see what happens next."
In addition to the coveted title as the nation's top undiscovered drummer, Rodriguez walked away with a 2006 Scion tC, $2,500 Guitar Center shopping spree, Roland V Pro electronic drum kit, custom designed SoBe Adrenaline Rush drum cases, a one-year drum and cymbal endorsement deal and thousands of dollars in gear from the industry's top manufacturers.
To receive more information or schedule an interview with a Drum Off contestant or Guitar Center spokesperson, please contact Formula at 310-578-7050.
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 195 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 90 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and website, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's web site at www.guitarcenter.com.