It''s been another great year for our visitors poll, with another increase in the votes cast, not least to the fantastic prize on offer of a limited edition ProMark 50th Annivsary Snare Drum. With some interesting winners as well as some of the....well....category "owners", it makes for some interesting insights into shifts in attitudes and trends.  Well done to all winners.

Best Rock Drummer

Taylor Hawkins

Stealing the crown back from John Bonham, Taylor Hawkins is crowned the rock king of 2008. This particular award has in the past been shared between him and his band mate Dave Grohl, but with some upcoming dates in the UK during March, expect to be seeing and hearing more of Mr Hawkins and co! 

A trully great great drummer and a well deserved win.  Good choice everyone!

Best Fusion Drummer

Dave Weckl

The winner of the Dave Weckl award? Yep, it’s Dave Weckl folks. There seems to be little point in this category! No doubt that there are few as deserving of this title than the Weckl man himself. This is the sixth consecutive year the stateside wonder-drummer has walked away with the Best Fusion award.

Powering a fantastic band, and (scarily) getting better every day, Mr Weckl makes the journey to Europe at least once a year. Not a surprise, but welcome none-the-less.

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Best Jazz Drummer

Buddy Rich

Well, this is another bizarre one. There are millions of amazing jazz drummers alive, but it seems after nearly twenty one years since he left us, Buddy can still swing with the best of them. The grand-daddy of jazz has influenced more drummers than you’ve had hot dinners, and there’s no signs of him slowing. The absolute showman, the relentless bandleader, and a big hearted one of a kind legend, Buddy lives on through his records and the live DVD footage we have of him.

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Best Metal Drummer

Nicko McBrain

After a year off, of winning this category, Nicko McBrain is back! Nicko has MC’ed and performed at the last three Drummer Live shows in London with live bands. A great solid player and in possession of one of the fastest right feet in the business, we need no more proof that the funny-man drum legend is your finest metal pounder.

Best Funk Drummer

Stanton Moore

After a blazing tour of the UK last year, presented by mikedolbear.com the New Orleans funkster has topped the poll for the first time, and most deservedly so. The driving force behind Galactic and his very own Stanton Moore Trio. With some European dates scheduled in for this month, you’d be crazy not to check him out.

"It's quite an honor to be voted into the top spot in the funk category.  I'd like to extend a warm thank you to all the mikedolbear.com readers who voted for me in the poll.  I had a blast on the tour and enjoyed playing for and meeting many of you.  I hope to see many of you again soon.  Thanks again" - Stanton Moore

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Best Live Drummer

Gavin Harrison

A truly well deserved prize for Gavin who has been busy touring with his band Porcupine Tree as well as playing on their latest album “Nil Recurring”. New projects in the offing include work with singer/extended range bass playing monster ‘05Ric’. Gavin is a fierce player with two amazing educational DVD’s out on the market, Rhythmic Visions and Rhythmic Horizons are both must haves for the serious player.

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Best Studio Drummer

Abe Laboriel Jr.

Abe Jr. knocks Mr Steve Gadd off of his three-year reign at the top. Now to do that, you have to have some really serious ability behind a set of tubs. Abe has ability in spades. Cool, groovy and complete with a great singing voice, Abe is a true new master of the instrument. A recent sighting of Abe with Paul McCartney at the UK Brits reinforced his playing at the very top of the session tree.

Best New Drummer

Matt Helders

Whilst strictly speaking not a new drummer, the recent storm at the Brit Awards seems to have galvanized a solid, groovy Helders into your psyche. Inventive and spritely, the Artic Monkeys are a force to be reckoned with. In a similar fashion to other members of the band, Helders has remained true to his hometown roots, suggesting that seeing places all over the world makes him more appreciative of Sheffield. Good on ya, Matt.

Best Recorded Performance

Gavin Harrison - "Fear of a Blank Planet"

Last years stonking output by your newly voted “Best Live Drummer 2008” seals the deal making this a double award for the well deserving Gavin Harrison. 

"I''d like to thank all the readers for voting me number 1 "Live Performer" and number 1 "Best Recorded Performance" (for the Porcupine Tree album "Fear Of A Blank Planet"). I''m very flattered that people are thinking of me - I honestly had no idea. It''s very encouraging to me."  Gavin Harrison

Best Percussionist

Alex Acuna

A nice surprise for Acuna this year, knocking former favourite Evelyn Glennie off of the top spot. A recent move to DW drums and Gon-Bop Percussion has seen the master percussionist have a little more publicity than of recent years, but still playing a storm, Alex is most deserving of the title.

Best Live Event

Drummer Live 2007

There is no competition here really. As long as it has been around, it has secured the top spot in this category. The UK’s first drumming-only show was a massive success for it’s fourth year running boasting the biggest and best line-up yet. Testament, as if it were needed, to the sheer power of drumming and the passion of drummers to flock to London and check out the latest gear and hottest players. Already scheduled for another show later this year, make sure you keep tuned to mikedolbear.com to find out who the line-up includes as it’s released.

Hall of Fame

Ian Paice

A welcome introduction into the hal of fame for one of the best British rockers ever to grace the drums. The Nottingham-born tub thumper hit the scene with Deep Purple with their debut release in 1968 (fourty years ago!) of Shades Of Deep Purple, and he hasn’t looked back. Performances for drummers at drum festivals have meant that fans have had a chance in recent years to see what makes this legend of rock tick.

Best Kit

Sonor Delite

The Sonor Delite is made of extremely thin vintage maple shells, and the whole line offers both veneer and fade finishes to the customers specifications. A really nice souding kit, reasonably priced from one of the worlds top manafacturers. ‘Nuff said…

Best Hardware

Yamaha 700 Series

Well, knocking the long-reigning Drum Workshop 9000 series off the top spot, you all seem to be opting for medium gauge, medium weight hardware in order to lessen the strain on your backs! The very nice, well set out, easy to assemble, non-moving Yamaha hardware lasts a lifetime and does everything needed to stay it’s ground even in the face of the heaviest players!

Best Snare

Mapex Hand-Hammered Bronzed Snare

Mapex secure their place again this year in the poll having grasped this important category.  Black panther series snares have enjoyed an ever growing popularity and well deserved too.  The unique hand-brushed finish and a multi-faceted acoustic chamber, makes the Black Panther Hand-Hammered Bronzed Snare one of the most sought-after snare drums on the market.

Best Cymbals

Zildjian K Customs

Zildjian, (who have been the only ever winners in this category), are on the cutting edge of sounds and innovation in all things metal. The biggest selling cymbal company in the world, Zildjian’s superb K Custom series is a part of their top line in metals. Never one to rest on their, frankly massive, laurels, Zildjian have also made additions to the K Series including new hats and rides. Well done Zildjian!

Best Heads

Evans EC2

Evans have retained the crown from Remo (after their 3 years reign) for a second year running. Year on year they have been closing the gap on previous winners and finally this year they’ve taken the top spot.  They have really made a big impression on the UK market in the last year or two with the release of the EMAD bass drum heads and now the EC2’s. A warm, fat sound with controlled overtones seem to be the order of the day.

Best Mics

Shure Beta Series

Have you ever been in a studio or a live gig and not used one of these mics for something or other? Shure are the industry standard microphone and the Beta series is their flagship range. Shure won it last year with their regular series, but it seems like you lot have grown ever more serious in your tastes!

Best Electronic Kit

Roland TD20

Any surprises here? I think not. Roland took a massive 73% of the vote in this category.  Consistently the best gear on the market. Roland have the best sounds, the simplest and fastest setup, the best pads and they truly trumped themselves with the addition of this kit. For the sixth year running, Roland reign supreme. Will anyone ever topple them?

Best Cases

Protection Racket

The Cornish casers have gone from strength to strength in the last year years. A safe, affordable way to safely transport your tubs, these cases are stylish, practical and worthy of their popularity. Some non drummer friends of mine even have Protection Racket wallets, without knowing they relate to drums! A brand to be seen with it seems.

Best Sticks

Vic Firth 5A

Even non-drummers know what people are talking about when they hear “Vic Firth” mentioned. A true leader in every sense of the word, the stick manufacturer has walked away with the award for the sixth year on the trot. Is anyone surprised? Thought not.

Best New Product

Meinl Foot Cabassa

This one came out of the blue.  Without even seeing one, you guys love this product - or the idea of it anyway!    Meinl are a leader in innovation and it says a lot after an appearance at NAMM this year, this new product zooms straght to the front of your must-have lists! Well done Meinl!

Best Portable Kit

Traps A400

Beating the Hipgig into second place for the second year running, the A400 is a cheaper and more portable option.  It''s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into the design and manufacture of this kit and given that everyone from an absolute beginner to a pro can pick up one of these kits and have everything they need, must make it well worth a look.

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Best Drum Book

Thomas Lang – Creative Control

You didn’t think we’d have poll without him, did you?! The almighty Lang shoots to the top of the poll for Best Book with his Creative Control book. With more independence than Destiny’s Child, this study will have you reeling for years. Well done that man.

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Best Drum DVD

Jojo Mayer – Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer

Who would argue with this? The worlds top technician comes out with a product that is simply put, the most educational DVD there has ever been. If you are a drummer of any ability, then you owe it to yourself to check this out. Well done Jojo!!

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