Mike Portnoy’s Dream Plays Out: Wins “Drummer Of The Year” and “Best Metal Drummer” In The 16th Annual Drummies

• By Josh Moscov
• Published July 5, 2011

San Jose, Calif., — Mike Portnoy, considered one of the most powerful players in the world, has garnered his first “Drummer” Of The Year” award in Enter Music Publishing’s 16th Annual Drummies reader’s poll awards. Definitely a dream come true for Portnoy, he also took “Best Metal Drummer” and came in second place in the “Progressive Drummer” category.

Portnoy’s Prominence, or Rather, A Landslide

Portnoy succeeded in beating out some other highly regarded drummers in the “Drummer Of The Year” category. Benny Greb took second, Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner was third, Gavin Harrison of the prog-rock band Porcupine Tree came in at fourth, and Slipknot’s Joey Jordison took fifth place.

"It's amazing," said Phil Hood, co-founder and publisher of Enter Music Publishing, “that in a year in which Portnoy left his band, Dream Theater, he was selected by so many drummers. He became more well-known for leaving his group than he would have if he had stayed.”

Harrison A Hit In Prog

Gavin Harrison, another highly regarded drummer also known for his association with King Crimson and other groups won “Progressive Drummer Of The Year” for the first time. Similar to Portnoy’s victories in the “Drummer Of The Year” and “Best Metal Drummer” categories, Harrison shared the category with some formidable competition with Portnoy again taking second place, Danny Carey coming in third, Portnoy’s Dream Theater replacement Mike Mangini in fourth, and Blake Richardson in fifth place.

Stanton Moore Steps Up As Best Funk Drummer For A Second Straight Year

Let’s face it. Stanton Moore is one of New Orleans’ most in-demand drummers, which is no easy feat on Bourbon Street. So, it should come as no surprise to anybody in the industry that he has taken “Best Funk Drummer” again. And as in the other drum categories, Moore faced stiff competition from veteran funksters and up-and-comers, strutting past David Garibaldi, Dennis McKenzie, Dennis Chambers, and Chris Coleman.

“Stanton gets down and is considered a Cresent City great,” Hood said. “He definitely is a master of second-line drumming in its traditional sense and in contemporary settings.”

Travis Barker Tops Mainstream Pop

Barker is certainly no stranger to the Drummies. He has won numerous “Best Drummer” awards and in February 2011 was inducted into DRUM!’s hall of fame for his five wins in the “Best Punk Drummer” category. So far in 2011, his career is right on track. That’s why his victory as “Best Mainstream Pop” drummer is no surprise. Barker beat out Dominic Hayward, Daniel Adair, Rian Dawson, and Taylor Hawkins.

There were plenty of other fascinating additions to the 16th Annual Drummies List.

"This year many new faces got votes and finished as winners or runners-up," said Dave Constantin, managing editor of Enter Music Publishing. “Artists like newcomer Arin Ilejay of Avenged Sevenfold, who won ‘Rising Star Of The Year,’ led a field of young drummers who entered the running for the first time.”

A Field Of First-Time Winners

Kris Myers of Umphrey’s McGee won for the first time in the “Jam Band” category, beating out stalwarts such as Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers and John Fishman of Phish. Additionally, Dominic Howard, drummer of the huge chart-topping band Muse, was a first-time winner in the “Alternative Rock” category, and Tony Royster Jr. won in the “Urban/Hip-Hop” category. Also in the urban category was Aaron Draper, who has played with Common, Jill Scott, LL Cool J, and others, and walked off with a convincing victory in the “Live Performer Of The Year” category.

Rich Redmond of country hit maker Jason Aldean was a surprise winner in country. Benny Greb, well-known for his outstanding video from Hudson Music, was “Clinician Of The Year,” and the perpetually in-demand Josh Freese was an overwhelming choice for “Studio Drummer Of The Year.”

Hand Percussion Slaps As Well

A wide range of styles were represented in the hand percussion categories with Karl Perazzo of Santana taking “Percussionist Of The Year.” Umphrey’s McGee percussionist Andy Farag won the “Rising Star” award, and Jesús Diaz captured two awards for “Worldbeat” and “Percussion Clinician Of The Year.”

Products, Products, Products

Hundreds of drum products received votes in 12 different categories, from “Best Stick” to “Best Percussion Accessory.” Leading vote-getters included Tama’s Superstar drum set, Mapex’ Black Panther snare drum line, and Zildjian’s 22" K Constantinople Bounce Ride cymbal.

Record Returns For A Second Straight Year

Enter Music Publishing experienced record-breaking voting returns in the 16th Annual Drummies. According to Surveymonkey, approximately 8,500 drummers cast 100,000 votes in the 42 categories that comprise the Drummies, as compared to the 6,500 who participated last year.

As previously reported, Enter Music Publishing attempted to alert drummers from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate this year through marketing and PR. The news was spread via email blasts, forum postings, and syndication through top music news sites. This pro-activity resulted in the record voting this year.

Enter Music Publishing would like to congratulate all the winners in the 16th Annual Drummies and thank all the drummers, other musicians, and fans who participated.

For a complete listing of all the winners, visit http://www.drummagazine.com/drummies. Those who are interested can find out there who won everything from “Best Drumming Web Site” to “Best Cymbal.”

Darren Simons...Drummer who returned lost cash, says thank you with charity concert.

Darren Simons, who was rewarded for his honesty, has organized a charity concert happening Saturday, June 18, 2011.

Darren Simons, a York County resident, became something of a local celebrity last year after he turned in $130 in cash he found in a parking lot.

When he found the money, Simons was in a tight spot. He had been laid off twice in the previous three years. In November, just before he found the money, he had been injured in an auto accident that prevented him from working for himself as a painter and musician.

Simons could have used the money. When he found the wad of bills, his wife was in the process of applying for food stamps.

Simons turned in the money anyway and, in the process, became something of a local folk hero.

People who read his story in the Daily Press or saw it on television were inspired. They came to his aid to show admiration for his honesty.

Now, it's Simons' turn to show appreciation.

He's organized a fundraising concert he's calling Play It Forward to say thanks to the community and raise money for local charities. The concert will take place 2-9:30 p.m. Saturday June 18 at Hampton Roads at Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson's York County location at 6450 George Washington Memorial Highway.

Simons plays drums in three local bands. Play it Forward will feature his groups -- Octane 80, Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers, and Unleaded -- as well as Pete Hansen, Evening Violet, Bryan Forrest and a band from the Academy of Rock Music.

"I'm not paying it back to the community ... I wanted to pay it forward," Simons said. "Out of all the kindness the community showed me, one thing I learned is that it's amazing what everbody can do when we work together."

Here's what Simons wrote about the event on his Facebook page:

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You may remember the reports that aired on TV and the many newspaper articles that were published just prior to Christmas of the guy who found $130 in the parking lot of the York County Social Services Building just after applying for benefits and “despite his own need,” returned it to the rightful owner.

Well, I am that guy, and I am ready to pay it forward. I have organized an event “Play It Forward” which will be held Saturday June 18th 2011 from 2:00-9:30pm. Our supporters at Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson have agreed to lend us space at their York County location. This is a family event with live music from some of the best local, regional, and national bands that have agreed to donate their time and talents.
This event’s proceeds will directly benefit those charities that responded with such kindness to my story. They include the following:

THE YORK COUNTY SHOP WITH A SHERIFF PROGRAM
This program takes underprivileged children, identified through Social Services, on a Christmas shopping trip with a Sheriff. It fosters a positive relationship, and brings happiness to kids who otherwise may not have a Christmas gift.

THE CHRISTMAS WISH FUND
This program identifies families in the community who are in need. They offer assistance with food, heat, home repair and medical bills. They seek to relieve a burden by granting a Holiday Wish.

THE PENINSULA PET PANTRY
A non-profit organization that provides temporary pet food and supply assistance to pet owners facing hardship. Their goal is to reduce animal surrenders to shelters due to pet owners' financial difficulties.

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