PMC "Roadie for a Day" Contest Provides Experience-of-a-Lifetime for Contest Winner

“The February 16th, 2018 Roadie For A Day event was a huge success”, according to Sarah Hagan, the Percussion Marketing Council’s Advisory Board Member overseeing the grand finale event from the 2017 International Drum Month campaign contest.  Hosted by international drummer celebrity Matt Greiner, drummer with the August Burns Red Band, and Zildjian’s Director of Artist Relations, Sarah Hagan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The twenty-five year-old winner Bobby Laflamme of Winchendon, MA witnessed a day-long event that culminated the search and review of over five-hundred contest entries for the PMC’s  2017 Roadie Contest.

Roadie for a Day Contest Winner, Bobby Laflamme sits behind Matt Greiner’s massive drum kit before the August Burns Red concert.  

PMC host, Sarah Hagan and Winner, Bobby Laflamme with drummer Matt Greiner and the rest of August Burns Red.

Roadie for a Day Contest winner Bobby Laflamme and August Burns Red drummer Matt Greiner hanging out on-stage during sound check.

Hagan reported, “The event took place at the Palladium in Worcester, MA which was the venue for the evening concert.  Matt was a gracious host to Bobby Laflamme and I.  After the usual introductions, we went backstage to meet Matt Greiner and the entire August Burns Red band, and to present Bobby with his PMC Grand-Prize Package assembled from the many PMC Membership companies.  After that it was time to for Bobby to start experiencing a day in the life of a professional high visibility drummer.  They spent time together talking about drums, the music industry, and life on the road with Matt and the band. The full-scale on-stage sound check experience was next   which included a special invitation to sit behind Matt's massive  kit and play a favorite ABR song under the lights."

“Immediately following was the photo session with the band onstage, followed by a snack on the band’s tour bus and sitting in on a drum lesson conducted by Matt. Shortly thereafter there was a meet and greet with fans and the final preparations to watch the entire concert from sidestage. The day culminated with Matt Greiner showcasing his amazing drumming talents in front of a packed house of happy fans!  Contest winner Bobby Laflamme was at a loss for words in trying to describe the event and experience”.

The PMC has been conducting the Roadie for a Day contest as part of the annual International Drum Month public awareness initiative for six consecutive years. Each year the number of participating percussion retailers and drummer “Roadie” contest entries increases significantly. International Drum   Month remains one of the PMC’s flagship market development efforts to grow the marketplace   for all percussion instruments, accessories and educational opportunities.  By creating consumer and local percussion retailer connections the all-volunteer nonprofit percussion industry trade association continues to create more drummers, customers and interest in learning and playing drums.