Drums

Michael was born and raised near Rockford, Illinois, where he began drums at an early age. At age eleven he had already formed a band that played the popular music of the time. By the age of fifteen he had moved to the St. Louis area where music became a central theme in his life. Playing drums with blues guitarist Rich McDonough and bass player and singer Sean Morris he developed a real passion for live performing. "I love live performing", he says, "Nothing unites large groups of people in such a positive way, and to be a part of that force is truly a remarkable experience."

His passion for entertaining on stage led Michael to an audition with John Gaynor. This was the dawning of a new era for wildly popular country acts such as Garth Brooks and Clint Black and John's band was to ride the local wave of this excitement. The group was getting television and radio exposure, which offered opportunities such as opening for national recording artists like Highway 101 and Clinton Gregory. After winning the St. Louis Music Contest the band went into the studio. This was a transition period for him as he explored studio work and began giving private instruction on drumming and performing. He also began his own studies in Latin Jazz Fusion with world-renowned drummers Dave Weckl, Joel Rosenblatt, Chuck Silverman, and Steve Houghton.

In addition to his live performances and teaching, Michael currently writes and records in his own studio. He plays Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute drums, Zildian cymbals, LP Percussion, Remo heads, Roland Electronics, and Vic Firth sticks.

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