Drummer magazine have new editor

A new girl drummer is to take over the editorship of Drummer Magazine – Gemma Hill. The previous editor Nick Carter is taking a break and stepping down to concentrate on his career as a professional musician and drum teacher.

Drummer Magazine report that Gemma has been playing drums and percussion for over 20 years and graduated from the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) with a first-class honours degree in contemporary popular music. She has become a high-profile session drummer, playing on TV for the X-Factor show, and counts an appearance at Wembley on her CV, having played with Cee Lo Green. As well as regular session work, she’s toured Japan and Europe. She is also a drum teacher and teaches drum kit and orchestral percussion, and has been a regular writer for popular drumming website mikedolbear.com.

“I’m really very excited about taking on the position of editor at Drummer magazine and joining the team at Blaze Publishing,” said Gemma. “The drum industry is such a special place to be a part of, and I am extremely grateful for all the support I am being offered. I wish Nick Carter all the best with his future endeavours and I am looking forward to what lies ahead with the magazine and the London Drum Show. I’ve been working with Mike Dolbear in the masterclass suite at the London Drum Show, and now I’m really looking forward to more active involvement, particularly so now that the show is expanding after the 2013 sell-out.”

Nick Carter, whose rein at the helm saw him produce 28 issues, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Drummer – both as editor and beforehand as a regular contributor and editorial assistant. I’ve been very fortunate to work with a great team of contributors, all of whom I consider to be the best in their chosen field, and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved. I’d like to thank all of the guys and girls along with all of the companies that have supported Drummer throughout my time as editor. I’d also like to say a massive thank-you to all of the team at Blaze Publishing for their very valuable support over the last few years, and wish Gemma the very best success for the future.”

Gemma and Nick will edit the July 2014 issue (No. 130) of Drummer Magazine. Wes Stanton, Blaze Publishing’s managing director said: “Nick Carter stepped into the breach at a tough time for Drummer, when the former owners ran into difficulties and the magazine’s future was put intojeopardy. Nick has been brilliant to work with, and is a thoroughly nice guy, so I’ll miss having him around – though I expect we haven’t seen the last of him just yet. That said, I’m really looking forward to working with Gemma, and having discussed her vision at length, am confident she’ll bring a new and different dynamic to Drummer – which I’m really excited about.”

See Gemma with Cee Lo Green on stage at Wembley: