Each year, thousands of drummers across the nation line up to enter the world’s largest drumming contest, Guitar Center’s Drum-Off, hopeful for the opportunity to rise through the various stages of the competition and eventually be crowned as the top undiscovered drummer in the nation. While many may call receiving such an award a success story all to itself, a number of Guitar Center Drum-Off winners have gone on to attain significant acclaim in the drumming scene.
Cora Coleman-Dunham and Tony Royster Jr. are two young Drum-Off winners who have since taken their well-earned status to the next level. At the age of eleven, Royster was the youngest drummer to clinch the title, beating out drummers decades his senior with his unparalleled handiwork. In 2002, Dunham was the first female to be honored with the same prize, shattering the “boy’s club” drumming mold. Both have since racked up impressive credentials, playing behind a bevy of popular artists, including Jay-Z, Prince, Pink and more. Still in their twenties, these are the next—if not current generation of drumming greats. And, as we’ve learned after recently catching up with them, they’ll be the first to tell you that their participation in Guitar Center’s Drum-Off competition was a key element in the launching of their remarkable careers.
Join us for a drum-side chat with two of the hottest young drummers on the scene as we feature Tony Royster Jr. and Cora Cora-Dunham on the cover and within the pages of our September Drum Guide.
See the complete video interview series HERE.
Download the buyer’s guide HERE.
