About

Hello. My name is Mike Turnbull. The following is the story of one of my greatest adventures in life as a part-time, working musician. It is presented with deep appreciation for the people, both on stage and off, who made it all possible.

My love for the drums began at a very early age—the snap, the pop, the thump, and splash were all-together irresistible. This instrument and its unique role in music have always held a special place in my life. Solos, however, were never my thing—rarely taken, never sought out. Sadly, this passion and my career as a working drummer were nearly lost forever at the age of 48 due to an ischemic stroke, followed by open-heart surgery a few years later. While those were challenging times, this is a look at the years I spent behind the drums.

Over 30 years of drumming with 11 different bands lead to a rich collection of cassette tapes, videos, photographs, and memorabilia. With time taking its toll on the media these memories were stored on, I decided to preserve them digitally rather than leaving them to deteriorate in a cardboard box in my basement. This digital preservation ensures that future generations—whether my son, grandchildren, or even their children—can part with that old box without regret, knowing these memories live on. One might say then, that this is my immortality project, or perhaps even a vanity website. That’s fair to say and true to a large extent. But, it’s even more than that.

This discovery and preservation journey has also been a deeply meaningful one—a path back to the joy of making music again. Now in my early 60s, rediscovering the vibrant spirit I once had as a young boy has been as fulfilling as the journey that led me here.

So, for whatever it’s worth, and primarily for posterity, this collection of stories, photographs, and audio tracks captures my life as a weekend warrior on the drums. A life shaped by the drive to make the best music I possible could, using my God-given talent and a deep passion for the art of drumming.

“If the Beat’s Workin, the Band’s Workin.”

~ Mike

*Dedicated to my son, Christopher, who grew up listening to the old Beats Workin tapes. Who became my trusted sidekick during my time with the last few bands, and is my absolute favorite band mate today. Whatever song you want to try son, I’ll always back you up on the drums.
 ~ Dad

– Beats Workin (the band)

“Beats Workin” was the 5th band on my musical journey and my “over-all” favorite band. This is the band my son grew up listening to even as he began to join me on weekend shows with The DeVilles, Two of Us, and the Mike Wagoner Band. The Beats Workin tapes are the ones I’ve had the longest and have cherished the most. This particular group of guys, those summers at the lake and these live recordings would become the benchmark to which I would measure all other bands. And, believe me, for a young drummer this was one tough act to follow.

Visit the Beats Workin band page for songs and pics.




– The DeVilles

The DeVilles” was the 9th band along the way. This newly formed group came together around 1996-97 and had an adventurous run of about 3 years. (that’s equivalent to 12 human years, btw)
There are several reasons I put this group in the top of my list. Most notably were my unbelievably talented band mates and the song list we managed to put together. We played some incredible music while thoroughly enjoying ourselves. A few years later lead singer, Dave Gunter and I would go on to form “Two of Us,” the next band on my list.
Tip: When you make a mistake on stage look at your band mates and grin from ear to ear. There’s nothing you can do about it now. And 99 times out of 100 no one in the audience even noticed. Besides, laughter makes for darn good, entertaining and lighthearted music.

“It’s only music. What could possibly go wrong?”
~ Mike

Visit The DeVilles band page for more info, songs and pics.




– Two of Us

“Two of Us” was the 10th and most unique musical experience of my life. I think it was in the spring of 2003 when Dave Gunter called me saying he missed the harmonies he and I used to do in “The DeVilles.” He had a vision of us performing as an acoustic duo with only guitar and percussion while leaning heavy into vocal harmonies. It wasn’t easy stuff he was proposing. My response was, “Oh, hell yes!” So the intensely focused, dedicated practicing began.
It was great. I love this kind of work. And I’m all about the preparation. Thanks to Dave, I learned how to sing and develop my voice as an instrument.
The drum set up was more thoughtful than it appears. It was minimal and it worked. It also elevated my ability as a drummer/percussionist. The whole experience was truly magical.
So, we dubbed our minimalist approach “Musical Sketches.” Where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Think, David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” performed with only 2 instruments and 2 voices. And, Lord have mercy, we seemed to have pulled it off! But don’t take my word for it. Click the link below and decide for yourself.

Visit the “Two of Us” band page for more info, music and pics.


– Mike Wagoner Band

The “Mike Wagoner Band” was my 11th and most likely final stop on this “band wagon.” (all puns intended – ha!) Mike contacted my good friend, Rick Steiner of Sandpoint Music in the summer of 2006 looking for a drummer. Rick gave him my number and a few weeks later I went to see him and Jack (Jaco) Purdie on bass performing at Millie’s in Priest Lake. They were a very tight and entertaining duo. At the time I was still in the group “Two of Us” which by then had become a trio with the exact same instrumentation. So it was an easy fit for me to join Mike with my stand-up kit and additional vocals to round out the trio. For about a year, and for the first time in my, eh um, “illustrious career” I was in two bands at the same time.

I had a fantastic time with this group primarily playing at the esquisite resorts and small communities surrounding Priest Lake here in North Idaho. It reminded me of my time with “Beats Workin” at a similar lake resort community 20+ years earlier. There were many, many times I thought to myself how this was the perfect bookend to that time in my life and very possibly a good way to end my career playing in bands. And, as it turns out, I was right. This was the last band I was in and I went out at the top of my game.

“I was born a drummer. I got some drums. And I played them.”
~ Mike, No Regrets

Visit the “Mike Wagoner Band” page for more info, music and pics.