The Music Edge Fastest Drummer Program Now Available to NAMM Member Retailers

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, recently announced that The Music Edge Fastest Drummer Program is now available for NAMM Member retailers to host in their stores and communities. The program is set up to help store owners create new music makers in local markets, enhance interest in drumming and build store traffic through the presentation of two in-store contests: the Battle of the Hands™ and the Battle of the Feet™.

This highly charged interactive program, offered in association with NAMM’s teen promotional initiative, themusicedge.com, is designed to attract kids and adults alike to retail stores for contests. When tested in stores, the program produced solid results and good media coverage.

"We at NAMM are now pleased to be able to give our Members the opportunity to organize their own contests," said Rob Walker, director of market development, NAMM. "The availability of this program in another example of NAMM’s commitment to providing initiatives which can grow our Members’ businesses."

Members’ kits include a comprehensive guide book, a CD-ROM containing printable materials such as posters and other promotional aids, and a DVD explaining the program's features. In addition, the kit features a triggered drum pad, bass drum trigger and the all-important drum-o-meter, which records contestants’ scores. The guide book provides retailers with detailed instruction, walks retailers step-by-step through the “dos” and “don’ts” of coordinating and administering the program, and explains why these steps and techniques work. Members can also receive consultations with the event's creators to ensure successful contests.

The Fastest Drummer program originated as WFD (World’s Fastest Drummer™) “Extreme Sport Drumming™,” a concept that has been a big success since its introduction by inventors Boo McAfee and Craig Alan of Nashville, Tenn. Previously, the program received coverage on VH1, Fox Sports Net’s XSTV, The Wayne Brady Show and ESPN Cold Pizza, as well as at Guinness® World Records attractions. It was also a featured event at the 2002 Vans Warped Tour. The events have been enjoyed by thousands of kids and adults—drummers and non-drummers alike.

NAMM first entered the quest to find the Fastest Drummer when the event was featured at the 2003 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., sponsored by themusicedge.com.

For more information about The Music Edge Fastest Drummer program, interested parties should contact NAMM's Market Development department at 800.767.6266 or e-mail marketdev@namm.org.