Brown, Jones, MacDonald prevail at Innovation

London, Ontario – May 3, 2008 – Graham Brown, Reagan Jones and Ruaridh MacDonald (pictured right) won the snare-, bass- and tenor-drumming competitions, respectively, at the first invitational contest organized by Innovation Promotions. Fifteen contestants performed a five-minute “freestyle” set, and performances incorporated various guest musicians, including pipers, drum-set players, bass guitarists and backing tracks. Each prize winner received $500, a Premier drum and presentation trophy and a Remo Pro Pad. The event sold out the Windermere Manor’s Grand Hall.The competition was sponsored by Premier Music International and promoted by the Western Branch of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario, and followed a workshop for drummers that attracted 70 students who received instruction from Craig Colquhoun, Scott Currie, Drew Duthart, John Fisher, Tyler Fry and Jim Kilpatrick.BassReagan Jones, Whitby, OntarioAlso played: Kyle Gorman and Brian Morgan.SnareGraham Brown, Milton, OntarioAlso played: Ryan Barr, Dan Bist, Aaron Carter, Dave Fenton, Jeremy Keddy, Mitch MacKay and Nathan Mclaren.TenorRuaridh MacDonald, Regina, SaskatchewanAlso played: Matt Bellia, Andrew Elliott and Kyle Heaney. Judges were Hugh Cameron, Craig Colquhoun, John Fisher and votes cast by the audience.