Deen Castronovo Sentenced To Community Service

• By Andy Doerschuk
• Published February 22, 2012

UPDATE: Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and was ordered to attend anger management classes earlier today. The sentence was the culmination of an unfortunate incident that took place last month when the police were called to break up an altercation between the 47-year-old drummer and his ex-girlfriend, which took place in West Salem, Oregon.

UPDATE Journey drummer Deen Castronovo pleaded not guilty yesterday to four misdemeanor charges related to an argument at his West Salem, Oregon home with an ex-girlfriend that occurred on January 20. Police were summoned after a neighbor called 911 to report the altercation.

He had been charged with recklessly endangering another person, interfering with making a police report, criminal mischief, and harassment, and was released on bail after promising not to have any contact with the woman.

ORIGINAL REPORT According to TMZ, Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was arrested and booked last Saturday into Polk County Jail in Salem, Oregon on charges of coercion, assault, criminal mischief, interfering with making a report, and harassment. Castronovo was released after posting $52,500 bail.

The accusation stems from an argument Castronovo had with his unnamed girlfriend, which reportedly turned violent. A spokesperson for Journey has stated, “"It was a misunderstanding that should not have been escalated to such a level in the first place.”

Lordi Drummer Otus Passes Away

• By Jordan Liffengren
• Published February 15, 2012

Finnish heavy metalers Lordi have released the following statement regarding the passing of bandmember “Otus” Tonmi Lillman:

“Our dear friend and bandmate, 'Otus' Tonmi Lillman, has sadly passed away [at the age of 38]. He will be greatly missed and we send our condolences to his family and friends.

Otus: we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the short time we got to know you and spend with you together. Rest in peace, friend.”

Lillman had joined Lordi in October of 2010, and had previously played for To/Die/For, Synergy and Ajattara and was part of the parody punk band Kylahullut.

Scott Johnson Elected To WGI Hall Of Fame

• By Jordan Liffengren
• Published February 15, 2012

Scott Johnson, one of the most sought after marching percussion clinicians in the world, has been elected to the WGI Hall of Fame.

Known as the organization’s most prestigious honor, the WGI Hall of Fame recognizes individuals in the winter color guard and winter percussion ensemble who show some outrageous talent as well as inspire, educate and act as a role model to all those who participate in the Winter Guard International.

"We are extremely proud and thrilled for Scott and his election to the WGI Hall of Fame," says Jim Bailey, Education Relations Manager. "He truly deserves this recognition for his skill and dedication to the marching percussion community."

SJC Launches New Website

• By Jordan Liffengren
• Pubished February 15, 2012

After all the little tweaks and additions to its page, SJC is finally ready to launch its brand new website.

The site’s got a bunch of new features including video updates, a sound booth allowing visitors to listen to an SJC kit in the studio, and Specs, a page giving updated examples of all the out of the box innovations SJC offers.

Check out the site here.

SJC Custom Drums About Film from SJC Custom Drums on Vimeo.

Third Annual String Theory Competition Now Open To Drummers

• By Radim McCue
• Published February 15, 2012

Drummers will be pleased to learn that the 3rd Annual Yamaha 6 String Theory Guitar Competition has added three new rhythm section categories, for piano, bass, and drums. The competition was launched on Jan. 21, 2012 in partnership with Yamaha, Berklee College of Music, Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation, and the National Guitar Workshop. 2012 marks the expansion of the competition to include the Inaugural Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin Rhythm Section Competition. Oscar® award winning and 2012 Grammy® nominated, Dave Grusin, is head of the Advisory Board for the Rhythm Section competition. Drummers can upload videos to be included. Finalists will be judged by an all-star drumming cast including Dave Weckl, Harvey Mason, Oscar Seaton, Simon Phillips, Sonny Emory, Will Kennedy, Chris Coleman, and Gary Novak. The contest ends May 1, 2012. [Ed. Note: DRUM! is proud to have signed on to help promote this groundbreaking rhythm section competition.]

The competition is the inspiration of legendary Grammy® award winning guitarist/composer and producer, Lee Ritenour, who debuted the International competition in 2010 with the release of his all-star guitar CD, 6 String Theory. The CD featured 20 world-class guitarists plus the winner of that year's competition. His 2012 album will feature a track with the winner s of the 2012 rhythm section competition.

Rhythm Section prizes include Berklee College of Music Scholarships, Yamaha instruments; professional mentoring; an opportunity to record on Lee Ritenour’s forthcoming album with Concord Music Group scheduled for release May 2012; an opportunity to perform at the esteemed Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival in Montana Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2012 and other prizes from Monster. The total value of 4 prize packages over $600,000.

To register and for complete contest rules, regulations and prizes visit www.sixstringtheory.com