 Pridgen won the Guitar Center Drum-Off at age 9 and at age 10 was the youngest recipient for a Zildjian endorsement in the nearly 40-year history of the company.Pridgen is also naturally left-handed, but plays the drum kit as if he is a right-hander with his kit set-up right-handed.Thomas has studied with David Garibaldi, Walfredo Reyes, Sr., Troy Lucketta, and Curtis Nutall.