Mike began playing at the age of twelve. After a few performances with classroom bands it wasn’t long before his school hobby became what was to be a life long passion for music. Mike was taken under the wing of local drum tutor Pete Atkins, who introduced him to basic rudiments and most importantly, reading notes… a big advantage. Within 3 years Mike was playing club gigs with local rock bands, and by 17yrs old he left school to pursue a professional music career. [divider] Mike’s first professional gig was with a band called the Squads Showband, giving him enough income to spend his days practicing. He studied under tutor Eddie Clayton in Bristol until the age of 19. Gigs at venues such as the Webbington Country Club and the Double Diamond Club provided invaluable experience backing top-line cabaret, reading parts and delivering any style required. .
“I remember i received a call from old friend Andy Rumble, and started doing “Copacabana” with Barry Manilow at the “Prince of Wales Theatre” in the West End which ran for about 18 months. At the same time I built my new studio and at the end of the run, I began concentrating on teaching, as I mostly do now.
I left school, and wanted to go pro, but my parents made me get what they called a ‘proper’ job for one year, I remember leaving the cheque from one nights gig lying around for my dad to see… it was more than a whole weeks wages at my ‘proper job’!