SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 - You voted, the polls have closed and the winner of the 88th ROCKWIRED ARTIST OF THE MONTH title is the LONNIE HAMMER frotned band HAMMER DOWN HARD on the strength of their new LP TOTAL ANNIHILATION. There is this old joke about drummers and songwriting that goes: "What will you never hear a drummer say?" The answer is: "Guys, I've got a song!" The author of that joke didn't have a guy like DON HENLEY in mind who has written enough songs to fill an entire seventies rock song book. In the very recent past, I've had the pleasure of interviewing quite a few drummers with considerable songwriting chops. Most recently, in-demand metal drummer LONNIE HAMMER has stepped from behind the kit and has taken center stage with his aptly named band HAMMER DOWN HARD. The musical pedigree is strong with HAMMER who has banged the drums for the likes of JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, EVERY MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE and most recently with BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, and now the world will see and hear what he is made of as a front man and songwriter with the forthcoming release of his band's new album TOTAL ANNIHILATION - a collection of songs that speak to the struggles of a everyday life. Adding a little heavy metal thunder to the proceedings are performances from the likes of ZACH MYERS from SHINEDOWN, BRIAN QUINN from CANDLEBOX , JUSTIN RIMER from 12 STONES and LOU KOUVARIS from RIOT.