Adrian Nevarez is a little surprised but well prepared to hold the title of Bakersfield store winner of the Guitar Center Drum Off 08.
Guitar Center’s Drum Off is the largest drum competition in the world. The Drum Off ’08 celebrates the 20th anniversary of the competition. In honor of the 20 years, the grand prize for this year’s winner is $25,000 in cash and prizes.
Nevarez is a first-time Drum Off competitor and has been playing drums in a band and toured the country for two summer seasons in shows as a member of the Vanguard Cadets for Santa Clara Vanguard.
Nevarez will go on to compete on Nov. 4 in Rancho Cucamonga for the District Finals. Those who win in Rancho Cucamonga can go on to compete in the Regional Finals on Dec. 2 and possibly the Grand Finals in Jan. 2009.
Nevarez had spent little time on the drum kit until the past few years. “I haven’t played drum set too much, about… two and a half years.” His experience with drums made his transition to drum set fairly smooth.”I’m pretty much gonna stick to drum set,” said Nevarez. “That’s where I’m at. Drums is my passion.”
Although it is his passion, he does not think drums will be a part of his profession. “I see music as a hobby. Something to take the stress away.”
Nevarez gave drum lessons in Bakersfield but soon stopped. “I used to teach around the area. I didn’t like making music my job.”
Nevarez is going for his bachelor’s degree in business and is hoping to specialize in Human Resources management.