Michael, born and raised in Dayton, Tennessee, is based out of the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.

He is currently a recording/touring member of outlaw/traditional country artists The LASTBAND (Chattanooga, TN) who perform regularly throughout the southeastern US. He is also the touring drummer for country duo Smith & Wesley (Ringgold, GA) who tour nationally and have had several charted singles including Listen To The Radio which is #62 on Music Row country charts top 100 as of 12/12/19. Michael also is a national touring drummer for outlaw country artist Mickey Lamantia (Rhode Island).

Michael has been a passionate drummer for over 40 years in rock, country and blues. Growing up in Tennessee he was exposed to and influenced by a lot of country music early on but as he grew older he became influenced and inspired by some of rock’s heavy hitters (Bruce Crump/Molly Hatchet, Peter Criss/KISS, Alex Van Halen, Steve Smith/Journey, Neil Peart/Rush among others) He has also drummed for several regional blues artists as well.

He is currently playing a Dixon Artisan kit (12, 14, 16, and alternates between a 22 and 24 kick) in Stardust Gray finish and has several Dixon snares he alternates between.

“I love how I get compliments from other drummers and sound engineers on the sound and look of my kit. And I get that alot!”  M. Dillard