Michael James Music
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Michael James Grassman is originally from Two Rivers, Wi, but has been in the Milwaukee area since 1991.  He started playing drums at 12 and quickly joined any and all school bands he could.  Throughout high school and college, Michael joined in every type of ensemble he could be apart of including Jazz bands, marching bands, percussion ensembles, concert bands, garage bands and then into touring bands.

Since 2005, Michael James has been steadily growing in the music community of Milwaukee and has since performed with many bands, musicals, solo artists and other acts.  Michael's list of associated acts is a long list, but most notably has been Element 13 and Live Band Karaoke - Milwaukee.

Drums and percussion have always been Michael's first musical love, but he has always enjoyed learning, performing and teaching stringed instruments, including guitar, mandolin and ukulele.
Milwaukee drum lessons
In 2013 he opened Sound Check Entertainment & Studios to focus his attentions on teaching lessons while also offering quality production needs to many clients. Here Michael is a full-time private instructor for guitar and drums and also works for local high schools with their percussionists and drumline.  See the "teaching" page for more details about his teaching background.

In addition to his passion for being a musician, Michael is also a sound and lighting engineer working for many bands, theaters, schools and more for tech/production needs.  Having learned sound and lighting by providing those needs for his own bands, and then working at local music stores, Michael has formed long lasting relationships with local clients with their production needs and also forged that knowledge towards his company, Sound Check Entertainment.

Michael's current performing acts are primarily the Mike and Annie duo and Live Band Karaoke - Milwaukee, amongst many other session projects.  He also oversees the booking and production of multiple Milwaukee live music venues including Paulie's Pub and Eatery and Kegel's Beer Garden, both in West Allis, Wi.

Past performances with:


                 Bands/Artists:
Shanna Jackson Blues Band
Charles Walker Blues Band
Windy Hill Wizzard Ragtime Band
That 90's Band
Random Maxx
Keanen Kopplin Band
Run Carolina
Bound for Branson
Walking Backwards
Element 13
Brew City Blues Trio
Saddlebrook
Live Band Karaoke - Milwaukee
Zach Wade
Joe Wray
Alyce Hart
Van Grassman
Jessie & the Rippers
The Homewreckers
The Clique
Albatross
Birdcage
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Tipsy Trio
Laura Peterson




                 Musicals:
UW-Waukesha's production of:
    Little Shop of Horrors- 2010
    Urinetown- 2011
Theatre on Main's productions of:
    Rent- 2012
    Jesus Christ Superstar- 2013
Lake Country Playhouse production of:
    Great American Musical- 2015
Concordia College production of:
    Godspell- 2015
414-949-5636
Juan Ramirez
5 months ago
"Wonderful DJ that I hired for my wedding, was extremely flexible with the fact that I changed my tunes a bit, and talked with me before abd during event to make sure everything went how I wanted it."

Victoria C Yocum
2 years ago
"Very cool studio! Comfortable while you wait, excellent rooms for lessons. My son has been taking drum lessons and has really improved his reading and skills. Mike is helping him with his personal goals. That's the unique thing about Sound Check, the instructors focus on personal music goals."

J Kristof RedRaiderBandBoosters
2 years ago
"Mike does a great job as an instructor. Nice location, comfortable atmosphere."