If only I didn't live in an apartment and could get them out of storage.

Here’s a contest after my own heart(beat): Guitar Center Atlanta is one of 25 locations nationwide to host the quarter finals of their 24th annual Drum-Off contest. The rhythm-fest, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, is free to attend.

At the event, 11 store winners from Georgia and the Carolinas will compete for the chance to advance to the semi-finals on Nov. 20 and the finals, Jan. 19, in Hollywood, Calif. Each contestant will receive five minutes of set up time and three minutes to perform on a five-piece kit. Evaluation criteria includes skills, technique, style and stage presence.

The grand prize is pretty impressive – $25,000 in cash, a custom drum kit, an endorsement deal and a feature in Modern Drummer, among the perks. And if you aren’t convinced of the contest’s reach, consider this – past winners include the awesome Cora Coleman-Dunham, who has played with Prince and Beyonce, Thomas Pridgen of The Mars Volta and Tony Royster Jr., who has played with Jay-Z and Paul Shaffer.

Guitar Center is located at 1485 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta.