Since the launch of Guitar Center’s Annual Drum-Off back in August 2016, thousands of undiscovered drummers from across the country have signed up to compete at more than 200 regional stores, nationwide. From a pool of over 5,000 participants, five talented drummers were chosen to move on to the Drum-Off Finals for a chance to win the grand title. Ultimately, Mark Pacpaco was chosen as the winner of a prize package including endorsement deals, gear and cash valued at nearly $50,000.
A West Covina native, Pacpaco was drawn to the drums at the early age of seven. His passion for drumming was fostered at his local church. He recalls sitting in awe at the drum set at his church even before he could touch the pedal. Recently, Pacpaco turned to YouTube to showcase his talent to the world, and now, he’ll use this opportunity as a platform to launch his career in music and reach a larger audience. As the winner, Pacpaco will join an esteemed group of talented drummers who have gone on to play for the likes of Prince, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and more.
“Drum-Off is a great competition. I learned so much from my loss last year in the quarter-finals. I saw it as a way to get stronger. Now that I’ve won, everything has changed. Guitar Center paved the way for me and I don’t think I can stop at this point. I hope that my journey continues,” said Pacpaco, winner of Guitar Center’s 28th Annual Drum-Off
Watch Mark Pacpaco’s Winning Performance Here: https://youtu.be/wAhEMZsepxY
As the winner of Guitar Center’s 28th Annual Drum-Off, Pacpaco will receive:
- $25,000
- High-end drum kit by DW, Tama, Pearl, Gretsch or Yamaha
- Complete set of Sabian, Meinl or Zildjian cymbals
- Drum, stick, cymbal and drumhead endorsement deals
- VIP Experience at the NAMM Show 2017
- Feature in Modern Drummer Magazine
- A Roland TD-50KV Electronic Drum Kit and the SPD-SX
- GoPro Music Bundle
- Performance on Drum Channel
- $500 Guitar Center Gift Card
- Clinic at Winner’s Local Guitar Center
This year’s program also included show-stopping performances by Sheila E. and Pete Escovedo, complete with a surprise jam with two unsuspecting audience members, collaborative performances by Larnell Lewis (of GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble Snarky Puppy) and Rashid Williams (John Legend), and a special Rockwalk Induction honoring legendary James Brown drummers John “Jab’o” Starks and Clyde Stubblefield.
Ultimately, the evening came to a thrilling peak as the five Drum-Off finalists battled it out on stage in front a live audience full of fans and a panel of celebrity judges including Venzella Joy (Beyoncé), Tony Royster Jr. (Charlie Puth, Jay-Z), Queen Cora Coleman (Dave Chappelle, Beyoncé, Prince) and many more.
The sponsors of Guitar Center’s 28th annual Drum-Off include DW, Drum Channel, Evans, GoPro, Gretsch, LP, Meinl, Modern Drummer, Pearl, Pro-Mark, Remo, Roland, Sabian, Tama, Vic Firth, Yamaha and Zildjian.