Third time is a charm: Dawud Aasiya-Bey, also known as D-Mile, also competed in Guitar Center's Drum-Off finals in 2010 and 2011. This time the drummer from Lake Elsinore was declared the winner in the competition for undiscovered drummers in the United States. D-Mile earned the title of GC's Drum-Off Champion plus a prize package valued at $50,000 including gear, endorsement deals, and $25,000 cash.
Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the United States with over 250 locations.
During the Grand Finals at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California yesterday, 26-year-old Dawud/D-Mile beat out four other highly skilled Drum Off competitors: Josiah Maddox from Chicago, IL, Hilario Bell from Miami, FL, Jonathan Burks from Little Rock, AR, and Shariq Tucker from Bronx, NY.
The five talented finalists shared the stage with live performances by world-renowned musicians including Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Chaka Khan), Chris Dave and The Drumhedz (Adele, Dolly Parton, D'Angelo), Questlove (The Roots, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) and Ray Luzier (Korn).
Sponsors The Drum-Off is co-sponsored by DW, Evans, LP, Gretsch, Meinl, Modern Drummer magazine, OCDP, Pearl, Pro-Mark, Remo, Roland, Sabian, Shure, Tama, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.
