San Jose, Calif., -- Hit Like A Girl 2013, the second annual global contest for female drummers, today announced that the official launch for entries will be February 1. The event is produced by DRUM! Magazine in conjunction with TRX Cymbals and Tom Tom: The Magazine for Female Drummers, with the support of major drum equipment companies Drum Workshop, Pacific Drums and Percussion, Yamaha DTX Drums, Evans Drumheads, Vater Drumsticks, SKB bags and cases, Alfred Publishing, and Drumchannel.

Developed to support, promote and inspire the growth of female drummers, the Hit Like A Girl drumming contest for women and girls attracted contestants from 42 countries and more than 400,000 online votes from around the world in 2012. The overwhelming response has allowed organizers to plan for an even bigger event in 2013.

“We're involved to promote and publicize female drummers worldwide,” said Phil Hood, publisher and co-founder of Enter Music Publishing. “This drumming contest really celebrates female drummers and also is intended to recognize their contributions to the drumming arts.”

Hit Like A Girl Official Schedule
DRUM! Magazine will host The Official Hit Like A Girl Contest Press Conference at NAMM on January 25 at noon. (Booth 3541 at the entrance to Hall D). Then on February 1st, contestants can begin submitting online video entries at www.hitlikeagirlcontest.com on February 1, 2013 with fan voting beginning on February 15. Entries will close on March 15, 2013 with public voting ending on March 31st. At that point (April 1) the top vote-getters and wild card finalists will be judged by a panel of world-renowned drummers including Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s), Meytal Cohen (independent), Dawn Richardson (Four Non-Blondes, Tracy Chapman), Kimberly Thompson (Wallace Roney, Mike Stern) Elaine Bradley (Neon Trees), Jess Bowen (The Summer Set), Hannah Ford (Prince, Bellevue Suite), and Shauney "Baby" Recke (Pussy Cat Dolls, Will.I.Am). Winners will be announced in mid April on Drumchannel.com.

Under 18 Ok
In addition to offering drum and accessory prizes valued at thousands of dollars, Hit Like A Girl 2013 has been expanded into under and over 18 age divisions to create more interest and a more even playing field. Submitted videos can be drum covers, solos or performances with a band or pre-recorded tracks and will judged on factors such as technique, musicality and overall effect.

Additional details will be announced as they become available. To learn more and view the top women’s drumming videos from 2012, visit facebook.com/hitlikeagirlcontest or hitlikeagirlcontest.com.