Having never done it before, it was a daunting but exciting prospect.
A three minute video is produced and submitted. You check the box agreeing to the 120 pages of rules, and you’re in.
The good news is getting invited to compete in the district semi-finals in Arlington, Texas! Twenty drummers chosen to play for the next round, the regional semi-final in Nashville, followed by the finals in Hollywood! Grand prize: 25 grand, a bunch of drums, and endorsements. Pretty sweet.
It was an awesome Saturday event in Arlington. Well run, great fun, and a good spirit among all present. I did my best, got a good video, and a complimentary swag bag. The day finished with “We will announce the winner on Tuesday.”
Tuesday came and went. No announcement. Nothing on the website. No answers to calls or emails.
Wednesday passed. The same. Silence.
Thursday. Crickets.
On Friday it’s learned there were contestants who had drum and cymbal endorsements, an obvious violation of the rules on page 119, section C, paragraph 2. We’re told, “An investigation is underway.”
Wow. The drum solo contest is shrouded in a cloud of mystery and scandal.
#Drumgate
Finally, a post Friday evening reveals the winner in the Arlington drum off. It was not the name I was hoping for.
Turns out this winner was from another state. The knee-jerk? “Is it right for an outsider to win our district?” Well, according to rule #46B on page 97, paragraph 42, section eleventy three, it clearly states,
“It is hereby right for an outsider to win our district.”
Shoulda read the rules.