Drum! magazine was surprised by the Poll results of the 2015 Drummies. Tim Alexander of Primus wins for the first time as Drummer of the Year. Eric Hernandez of Bruno Mars gets his first win in the pop category, as did Aquiles Priester (hard rock), Billy Rymer (extreme) and Ronald Bruner, Jr. (jazz). There was also a new guard takeover in hand drums and mallets as names like Pete Lockett (drummer of the year). Alex Acuña wins in three categories.
The Drummies! selection process is as follows. First, experts in the drum and recording industries nominate finalists in each category. Then the four top vote winners are chosen by the Drum! readers. This year, the magazine also offered an optional write-in candidate during the final vote, to level the playing field.
These are the winners of the 2014 Drummies! Artist Awards.
Drummer of the Year: Tim Alexander
Rising Star Drummer: Anika Nilles Runners Up:
Alex Rudinger
Matt Garstka
Bryan Carter
Eric Hernandez
Rock/Pop Drummer: Eric Hernandez Runners Up:
George Spanky McCurdy
Daru Jones
Daniel Platzman
Brian Fraiser Moore
Funk Drummer: Stanton Moore Runners Up:
Chris Dave
Adam Deitch
Robert Sput Searight
Terence Higgins
Hard Rock Drummer: Aquiles Priester Runners Up:
Charlie Benante
Glen Sobel
Shannon Larkin
Danny Carey
Alternative Rock Drummer: Tim Alexander Runners Up:
Matt Cameron
Jeff Friedl
Thom Green
Daniel Platzman
Progressive Rock Drummer: Mike Portnoy Runners Up:
Mike Mangini
Gavin Harrison
Matt Garstka
Danny Carey
Extreme Metal Drummer: Billy Rymer Runners Up:
Derek Roddy
Gene Hoglan
George Kollias
Aquiles Priester
Hip-Hop Drummer: Tony Royster Jr. Runners Up:
George Spanky McCurdy
Robert Sput Searight
Lil John Roberts
Greg Clark
Punk Drummer: Brooks Wackerman Runners Up:
Jordan Burns
Brandon Barnes
Jorma Vik
Brandon Pertzborn
Gospel Drummer: Aaron Spears Runners Up:
Teddy Campbell
George Spanky McCurdy
Lil John Roberts
Calvin Rodgers
Jazz Drummer: Ronald Bruner Jr. Runners Up:
Peter Erskine
Otis Brown III
Mark Guiliana
Johnny Vidacovich
Blues Drummer: Tony Coleman Runners Up:
Tim Austin
Stephane Avellaneda
Johnny Radelat
Matt Abts
Country Drummer: Sean Paddock Runners Up:
Rich Redmond
Sean Fuller
Chris McHugh
Garrett Goodwin
Studio Drummer: Vinnie Colaiuta Runners Up:
Kenny Aronoff
Matt Chamberlain
Peter Erskine
Nate Morton
Drum Set Clinician: Todd Sucherman Runners Up:
Mike Johnston
Kenny Aronoff
Stanton Moore
Rich Redmond
Percussionist Of The Year: Pete Lockett Runners Up:
Daniel de los Reyes
Taku Hirano
Luisito Quintero
Mike Dillon
Rising Star Percussionist: Jhair Sala Runners Up:
Weedie Braimah
Casey Cangelosi
Mona Tavakoli
Rafael Pereira
Latin Percussionist: Alex Acuña Runners Up:
Luisito Quintero
Richie Flores
Pete Korpela
Pedrito Martinez
Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop Percussionist: Mike Dillon Runners Up:
