Michael Dawson is Chief Creative Officer for Drum Factory Direct, a top online distributor of drum parts and accessories. He hosts a weekly podcast, Drum Candy, where he interviews world-famous drummers on a range of topics.

Dawson was managing editor for Modern Drummer Publications, where he authored dozens of features, columns, and product reviews and edited several top-selling instructional books. Dawson also produced and co-hosted the acclaimed weekly show, The Modern Drummer Podcast With Mike and Mike, along with renowned online educator/clinician Mike Johnston.

Dawson holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in music from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is associate professor in music journalism at the UArts and percussion instructor at WVWC. Before relocating to Pittsburgh, Dawson was a regular substitute musician for the drumset chair in the hit Broadway musical The Lion King.