Mike Johnston

Gretsch Artist Since: 2012

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Educator, Clinician

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Antique Maple Gloss
14x20 BD, 8x12 RT, 14x14 FT, 5x14 Prototype Snare, 5x14 Side Snare

Influences:
Phil Collins, Vinnie Colauta, Dave Weckl, Mark Guiliana

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"Gretsch drums are the drums that I grew up listening to, they were the drums that my idols played. I spent so much time listening to my favorite player playing Gretsch drums that they eventually became the standard for me. I also love anything with a sense of history, and Gretsch drums have that in spades."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"My first advice to most drummers of any age is to find an aspect of drumming that they are truly passionate about. There are so many avenues to take with this instrument from touring, studio work, retail, manufacturing, teaching, being a tech. Try them all out and figure out which one really speaks to your soul. Then follow that path and don’t let ANYONE get in your way!"

Bio:
Mike Johnston began studying the drums at the age of 5. He spent the next fifteen years studying privately with drumming legends Pete Magadini, Steve Ferrone, and Will Kennedy.

At the age of 21 he received his first major label record deal with his band Simon Says and spent the next 5 years touring the world. He received a gold record for his contributions to the Varsity Blues soundtrack and has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman as well as on MTV's Fashionably Loud. Mike has also toured with Warner Brothers Recording artists Filter.

MikesLessons.com

Johnston founded the website MikesLessons.com, which is an online drumming community run by Mike and his wife Amber. The website offers live online drum lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, taught by Johnston, as well as individual downloadable lessons. After the site gained success, Johnston expanded the business to the Mikes Lessons facility in Folsom, California and began to offer international week-long drum camps. Vater manufactures Johnston's signature drum stick, named the "2451", which is made in both maple and hickory woods. Mike stated that the name "2451" was chosen as it was the bathroom code at the Mike's Lessons Drum Camp facility and he wanted students to remember the code.

At the Mikeslessons.com facility, he hosts 10 International Drum Camps each year. He also spent 2012 touring the United States giving clinics at various music stores and performed both days at the 2012 Meinl Drum Festival. In 2013 his website (www.mikeslessons.com) won DRUM Magazine's award for educational website of the year. He also performed at PASIC and co headlined 2 U.S. clinic tours with Matt Halpern and J.P. Bouvet.

In 2014 Mike has continued to push the educational envelope with over 20 clinics in 6 different countries including performances at The LaBag Show in Paris, France, and the Laguna DrumFest in Durango, Mexico. He has also been nominated for clinician of the year and MVP of the year by Modern Drummer Magazine