Mike Willson | SoultoneCymbals.com

Mike Willson

Mike Willson

Mike Willson started playing drums in his elementary school band in Costa Mesa, CA when he was in the 4th grade. He started on just a snare drum and eventually earned his first drum set which allowed him to move on to play in bands with friends. It was not until he moved to Huntington Beach, CA that drumming became more than just a hobby. After not making the baseball team in high school, Mike decided to join the Academy for the Performing arts at HBHS where his performing skills started to develop. Through this program, he networked with many musicians and traveled to Liverpool, England at the age of 17 to play the International Pop Overthrow at the Cavern Club. He was part of one of Roland’s international ad campaigns early that same year and performed on their stage at NAMM ’08. Mike is currently teaching for the Academy for the Performing arts and playing with local bands around Orange County. Mike’s band, The Counter Regiment, recently put out there debut cd in 2009 and he is currently working on recordings with other musicians in the area.