Next Great Drummer Winner -

Written by: Rick Skelton Next Great Drummer Producer, Indianapolis

Sponsored by(Verve Energy Drink)



Aaron "Stix" Smith of Muncie Indiana wins National Drum Contest.

Aaron "Stix" Smith advances to the California Finale by winning the Next Great Drummer's Indiana Show hosted by Professional Drummer Eric Seats and Sponsored by the Sam Ash Music Store.

Aaron, a senior at Muncie Central advanced to the California Finale by winning the drum off against 4 other drummers by laying down an unbelievable solo that caused the crowd to respond with a roar of cheers and applause, one spectator even called Aaron a "Beast".

Executive Producers Eric Seats and Chrystal Allen O'Jon with the assitance of producers Rick Skelton and Shawnise Edmonds put together an unbelievable show and had a great turnout of over 20 contestants.


The Next Great Drummer is a reality show much like American Idol where drummers of all ages and gender participate for prizes, a chance to advance to the Finale in California, get in front of recording artist and music producers, recieve positive feedback from judges and a chance to be called 'The Next Great Drummer.


Eric Seats is a native Hoosier and plays professionally for Patti LaBelle, Lalah Hathaway and has worked with various artist like Deborah Cox, Tamia, the late Aaliyah and many others.


www.nextgreatdrummer.com

Next Great Drummer 2009 Nationwide Winner - Ebony Peterkin

Interview Questions - Next Great Drummer Web Blog

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: A friend

Q: What City did you Compete, Judge, or Perform in?
A: Vegas

Q: What is your role at the Next Great Drummer events?
A: I was the winner in 2009

Q: What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you
learned?
A: I enjoyed meeting the other drummers; I learned everyone had a reason or
inspiration for being present.

Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: I would tell other drummers to be themselves. This is the first contest Ive
been apart of that give sound advice for every person competing. Even if they
are not the winner in the end, what the judges share is greater than any
title. I have discoverd that advice from people that you have never met can
sometimes be bankable information.

Q: What projects are you working on now that we can share with the public?
A: I am not working on anything rignt now; but stay tuned to my youtube
channel"theladysticks" I am considering placing more things on my channel from
tours of people I may never met again and meaningful moments of people and
things that inspire me to go higher.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: Iam grateful for Next Great Drummer contest. NGD was a true inspiration to
be apart of during that season of my life; I am excited about NGD family and the
future of everyone taking part of NGD living tree. The foundation of this
company is based off a pure spirit of helping others to become the NGD.
Everyone connected to NGD are wonderful in character from the head of the
company to the judges,drum company and Sam Ash reps.

I enjoyed the entire experenice from "hello Chrystal I am ...... over the phone..
to meeting Eric in person... to winner the title of NGD 2009.... It was
wonderful....

Interview with David "Young Professor" Cowan

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: Clay and Tami Drayton (Drummers For Jesus So. Cal.) first told me about Next Great Drummer.

Q: What City did you Compete, Judge, or Perform in?
A: I judged in City of Industry, and Westminster, assisted at Knox Berry Farm and performed and assisted at the Long Beach Jazz Fesitval.

Q: What is your role at the Next Great Drummer events?
A: I basically do whatever is needed but am primarily a Judge.

Q: What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you learned?
A: Since I still feel like I'm relatively new to LA the feeling of belonging to some kind of community is the most meaningful part for me. I find the NGD folks to generally be down to earth, friendly, and respectful.

Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: I tend to de-emphasize the competition element and focus on the community aspect of NGD. I tell people that it's a great, safe, way to have an audience and learn by watching and hearing others and receiving positive feedback about your own playing.

Q: What projects are you working on now that we can share with the public?
A: Currently working with One Tribe Nation as we finish our 2nd album to be released some time in 2011 http://www.onetribenation.com/home.cfm.

Also working with latin rock band ZUR. We're touring with popular latin band Elefante in September. http://www.myspace.com/zurzonaurbanarock

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: http://youngprofessordrums.com

Interview with Dove Daniels - Next Great Drummer Associate Producer

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: Eric Seats

Q: What City did you Compete, Judge, or Perform in (if applicable)?
A: LA / Knotts


Q: What is your role at the Next Great Drummer events?
A: Associate producer NGDL


Q: What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you learned?
A: Having a venue for aspiring drummers and artist to showcase their talent.


Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: Compete like it will secure your career and financial future.


Q: What projects are you working on now that we can share with the public?
A:
1. Temecula Gospel Fest. Sept 24 & 24 (Temecula Gospel Fest.com)
2. DDM&M Dove Daniels Music & Media(Artist Development Studio, -includes live & studio vocal instruction, songwriting & producing, dance studio, band and practice rooms and art gallery. Family friendly.
3. Next Great Drum Line (in production) - as an extention of NDG / NGDL is comprised of 35 Drum-line drummers - I am Currently filming back line story on drummers.. Current drummers and alumni who have been part of the John Muir High Drum line for 4 decades. The goal is to create commercial routines that can integrate with NGD performances and provide entertainment for Schools, Pro-sport events, and after school arts drumming. Practice is held Sundays at Charles White Park in Pasadena at 6:00 pm.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: NGD is has presented our nation with a family friendly event that has endless possibilities for marketing and growth!!!

THANK YOU NGD FOR YOUR INNOVATIVE ENTHUSIASM!!!!!

LOVE & LIGHT
DOVE

Mark Henley-Keyboardist with the Next Great Drummer All-Star Band

Interview with Mark Henley-Keyboardist with the Next Great Drummer All-Star Band

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: From Phillip Greenwood, Sr.

Q: What City did you Compete, Judge, or Perform in (if applicable)?
A: I performed with the All-Star Band at Knott's Berry Farm and at the Long Beach Jazz Festival.

Q: What is your role at the Next Great Drummer events?
A: I play keyboards with the All-Star Band.

Q: What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you learned?
A: The performances and rehearsals have meant a lot to me. I have learned to increase my flexibility as a musician.

Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: It's a lot of fun; we have a great time. We're like a family, everyone supports each other.

Q: What projects are you working on now that we can share with the public?
A: I'm currently working on some original music for the band. And in November, I will be a part of a concert featuring the Elevation Orchestra at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Interview with Drew Hinckley - NGD Winner

Interview Questions

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: I heard about NGD from some of my friends.

Q: What City did you compete and win in?
A: I competed in Hollywood and won and it was great!

Q: What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you learned?
A: I really love the judges feedback even if its not for me, I like the
feedback from the people that will tell you how to get better!

Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: Just do it! it's a great experience to write and perform a solo and the feedback
and prizes are a HUGE bonus also.

Q: What projects are you workin on now?
A: I'm currently in a TON of bands but I'm working on recording bands and learning
how to mix and master so I can learn to be a producer.

Here are Drew's latest performance clips:

Hoochie Coochie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6sktnKK7wE

Wipe Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12U5NeYVfng

Next Great Drummer TN Judge - Tim Smith

Tim Smith

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?
A: From an old friend and colleague, Isaac Richardson.

Q: What City are you going to Judge in?
A: Nashville, TN

Q: As a Drum Judge, what things will you be looking for in a Top Notch Drummer? What makes a Drummer "stand out"?.
A: Proficiency, technique, dynamics, passion, unique style, touch and overall musicality.

Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?
A: This is a great opportunity to hang with other musicians and to essentially "audition" for a whole lot of other possibilities. It's a chance to show what type of drummer YOU are and a challenge for you to place your ego aside, not worry about "the other guy" and network with your peers!

Q: Are you working on any special projects or touring now? What projects will you be working on in the future?
A: Working hard to place Supernatural Cymbals on as many drummers' kits as possible. The challenges of growing a new company are endless. Spending time in the practice room so I will be ready for the next opportunity. In the future I will be working toward opening a performance based music school.

Next Great Drummer TN Judge - Isaac Richardson

The Next Great Drummer Nationwide Competition is coming to TN on September 16, 2010 and we want you to meet a few of our Judges: Isaac Richardson, Derico Watson, Tim Smith, and Kevin Stacil. Read a few of their Q & A responses to get to know them. If you are in TN in September come by and see TN Drummers battle out to win "Top Drummer".


Isaac Richardson

Q: How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competition?

A: I heard about the Next Great Drummer competition through my good friend Eric Seats, he told me about it when it first started.

Q: What City are you going to Judge in?

A: I'll be judging the Nashville show and possibly a few others.


Q: As a Drum Judge, what things will you be looking for in Top Notch Drummer? What makes a Drummer "stand out".

A: Things i will be looking for as a judge will be presentation,confidence,placement,originality,personality,dynamics,pocket,groove.. All of these things are the role of a drummer.What makes a drummer stand out to me is when he/she has the ability to be able to control the atmosphere of a song and be able to be tasteful with being the center of the attention. That's a true sign of a Great drummer!!


Q: What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?

A: I would say be you and let your God given gift shine that's the biggest thing and always be humble in your playing and presentation it will take you futher than you can imagine. Be verstile in your styles of playing. Playing different styles of music can and will open your ears to alot of different things

Interview with a Next Great Drummer Contestant & Performer Aunjel Adams

Q:
How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competitions and what was your first impression?

A:
Chrystal Allen Ojon, my Aunt, told me about it, and my first impression was this was a great idea. It's well thought of and put together and is a great opportunity for many!

Q:
What City did you compete in?

A:
The very first NGD competition in Chino, CA, I performed in the Valley and also in Las Vegas!

Q:
What project are you working on now?

A:
My own CD and playing in entertainment shows. My Link is www.myspace.com/aunjel23

Q:
Where do you perform next?

A:
At the Orange County Fair, July 31st at 12pm - See you all there.

Please support up and coming artist.

Next Great Drummer Interview with Winner Alexander Poblete

We just had to introduce you to a young inspiring drummer. Don't let her young age fool you...she's got what it takes to be on the big stage, hopefully touring someday with major recording artists.

Here is a short Q and A interview with her. Enjoy!


Q:
How did you hear about the Next Great Drummer Competitions and what was your first impression ?

A:
When we went to Sam Ash Music Store, we saw the Next Great Drummer poster on their bulletin board. I got excited when my Mom told me that I was going to compete. It means , I had to practice since I was new to drumming.

Q:
What City did you compete and win in?

A:
I competed in Las Vegas, NV and won there.


Q:
What part of the event has been most meaningful to you and what have you learned?


A:
I enjoyed playing drums in front of people. I liked the judges' advice to me to improve my drumming.I learned that there is always a lot to improve and also I can have a lot of new friends.

Q:
What would you say to other drummers thinking about competing?

A:
I would tell them to do the best they can and have fun.