With Mike (Johnston) on “Lessons with Mike” 2011. Mike started studying with me when he was in the band “Simon Says.” ( 2008 or 9) I thought that band to be ready for world attention. It didn’t happen. After the band desolved, Mike went back to a hometown music store and started teaching himself (Sacramento). Probably the best thing that could have happened. Mike was a pioneer in programing lessons on-line (Mike’s Lessons). The concept took off and he is now one of the most well known drummers in the history of drums and drumming. What I especially appreciate about Mike is how hard he worked to achieve such a high level of playing skills in so many areas of drumming. And his technique is flawless. Plus, his independence between hands and feet and foot to foot while playing incredible things on the rest of the set is really excellent. We worked hard on that and he can keep one tempo going with his feet and be playing in another “related” tempo (polymeter) on the rest of the kit at the same time (in 2 different times). He’s really good at it !!
