THE ONCE IN A LIFETIME DRUMMERS RETREAT


Discover the rhythmic journey from raw timber to expertly crafted drums with us! Step into our workshop for an immersive tour where you'll witness every step of the drum-making process, guided by our experienced craftsmen. Along the way, indulge in captivating stories from our years of drum-making expertise.

After the tour, dive deeper into the world of percussion as you join Michael in our studio. Here, you'll have the exhilarating opportunity to play on a variety of drums and instruments, handpicked by you. It's a hands-on experience that offers a unique insight into the art of drum making, while emphasizing the significance of sound quality and precision bearing edges.

But the excitement doesn't end there! Witness firsthand the transformation of raw logs into musical masterpieces with our live demonstrations on cutting, sawing, and milling.

Ideal for individuals and small groups seeking an exclusive drum-building experience, our sessions promise a blend of education and entertainment. Plus, for those seeking a cozy retreat, our private Airbnb cabin awaits your reservation.

And if you've got a dream drum in mind, you're in good company! Michael has crafted drums for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Styx, Todd Sucherman of OneRepublic, Eddie Fisher of Luke Bryan, Kent Slucher, and many more. Ready to drum up some unforgettable memories? Join us on this rhythmic adventure today!

Upcoming Camps

  • April 10 - 14 (SOLD OUT)experience

  • April 17- 22 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • May 12 - 15 experience

  • May 17 - 19 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • June 2 - 4 experience

  • June 14 - 17 experiencee

  • June 21 - 24 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • July 5 - 7 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • -Premium experience $3000

  • -Deluxe experience $2200

Day 1:

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Registration and Introduction

- Meet and greet with fellow participants

- Enjoy a quick jam session to set the mood

- Indulge in a homemade breakfast sandwich and coffee to fuel your creativity

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Wood and Board Selection

- Learn about different types of wood and their characteristics for drum building

- Select the perfect wood and board for your drum

- Discuss saw angles and techniques for precise cuts

- Use the table saw to cut and prepare the boards for the drum

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Glue Up Time

- Apply glue to the boards and assemble the drum shell

- Learn proper clamping techniques for a strong drum

- Enjoy a delicious southern outlaw lunch to satisfy your hunger

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Drum Drying

- Allow the drum to dry overnight

- Discuss techniques for ensuring even drying

- Prepare the drum for the next day's activities

Day 2:

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Quick Jam Session

- Warm-up and get the rhythm flowing

- Enjoy a homemade breakfast sandwich and coffee to start the day

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Milling and Sanding

- Begin the milling process to shape the drum

- Use various tools and techniques to achieve desired dimensions

- Start sanding the drum surface for a smooth finish

- Discuss hardware layout and determine the overall look and color of the drum

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Continued Milling and Sanding

- Fine-tune the drum shape and dimensions

- Focus on achieving a flat surface through meticulous sanding or carving

- Outlaw lunch to recharge

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Continued Sanding and Preparation

- Address any imperfections or blemishes on the drum surface

- Prepare the drum for the next day's activities

- Discuss and plan for the finishing process

Day 3:

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Quick Jam Session

- Warm-up and get the rhythm flowing

- Enjoy a homemade breakfast sandwich and coffee to start the day

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Edges and Finishing Touches

- Learn about different drum edge types and their impact on sound

- Shape and refine the drum edges based on your desired sound

- Discuss and plan for the finishing process

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Final Sanding and Finishing

- Continue sanding the drum surface for a smooth finish

- Apply the chosen finish to enhance the drum's appearance and protect the wood

- outlaw lunch to celebrate your progress

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Drum Finishing

- Apply the final coats of finish to the drum

- Allow the finish to dry and cure properly

- Evaluate the finished drum and address any final adjustments or refinements

- Prepare the drum for assembly on the next day

Day 4:

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Quick Jam Session

- Warm-up and get the rhythm flowing

- Enjoy a homemade breakfast sandwich and coffee to start the day

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Drum Assembly

- Assemble the drum hardware and components

- Ensure proper alignment and attachment techniques

- Enjoy a delicious southern outlaw lunch to celebrate your completed drum

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Final Drum Adjustments and Tuning

- Learn how to properly tune your drum for optimal sound quality

- Select and install the appropriate drumheads

- Make any final adjustments to hardware and components

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Drum Packaging and Conclusion

- Package your completed drum for transportation, if necessary

- Final Q&A session and address any remaining questions

- Certificates of completion and farewell to fellow participants

Please note that the schedule may be subject to adjustments based on the progress of the participants and the instructor's discretion.

  • Day 1 Arrive by 9 am

  • Day 4 Depart by 5 pm


  • By enrolling in our drum building class, you agree to the following terms.

  • Assumption of Risk: I understand that participating in drum-building activities involves certain risks, including the risk of personal injury. I voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation in the workshop and agree that Outlawdrums shall not be held liable for any injuries or damages sustained during the workshop.

  • 1. Brand Protection: We will not disclose certain aspects of the drum-building process for branding purposes. Please respect our decision and refrain from sharing or replicating any undisclosed information beyond the class. We will teach you different drum-building approaches, but we aim for you to develop your unique drum-crafting style without directly copying others.

  • 2. Non-Disclosure Agreement: Please do not disclose confidential information shared during the class, including undisclosed processes or trade secrets.

  • 4. Liability: We cannot be held responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur during the class. Please ensure your safety and follow instructions carefully.

  • 5. Information Updates: We may modify or update the information provided during the class. Drum-building practices may change over time.

  • By enrolling, you acknowledge and accept these terms. If you disagree, please do not participate.

Deposit $500

Should I need to cancel my reservation and provide more than 30 days' notice, I may apply my deposit toward a future course. If I cancel my reservation less than 30 days before the course start date and my spot is filled by another student, I will have the opportunity to apply my deposit to a future course. However, if I cancel less than 30 days before the course and my spot remains unfilled, my tuition will not be refunded or applicable to another class.

Furthermore, I acknowledge that in case of a course cancellation by the Outlawdrums my deposit and tuition will be fully refunded

Deluxe Package starts with a shell to save time.

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Arrival and Welcome

- Arrive at the Outlaw workshop in Georgia

- Receive a warm welcome and introduction to the program

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Introduction to Drum Building

- Learn about the process of building a drum from start to finish

- Explore different types of drums and their characteristics

- Discuss the importance of choosing the right snare drum

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Raw Drum Selection

- Browse a wide variety of raw drum shells

- Receive guidance from our experts to help you choose the perfect snare drum

- Learn about the materials and construction techniques used in drum shells

- Enjoy a delicious lunch break

1:00 pm - 5:00

- Learn how to prep and sand the drum shell properly

- Drill hardware

- Customize the drum with your desired finish

Please note that depending on the type of drum finish you choose, there may be additional time and cost involved if the finish is particularly challenging or requires specialized techniques. We strive to accommodate all preferences and will work closely with you to achieve the desired finish. However, specific finishes may require additional resources and expertise, resulting in potential adjustments to the overall timeline and cost of the drum-building experience.

Day 2:

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Review and Warm-up

- Recap the progress from the previous day

- Participate in a quick warm-up session

- Work closely with outlaw to assemble your unique snare drum

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Drumhead Selection and Installation

- Explore different drumhead options and their tonal qualities

- Choose the ideal drumhead for your snare drum

- Learn proper drumhead installation techniques

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Drum Tuning and Testing

- Receive guidance on tuning your snare drum for optimal sound quality

- Experiment with different tensions and drumhead adjustments

- Test the sound and make any necessary tweaks

- Enjoy a satisfying lunch break

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Finishing Touches and Conclusion

- Apply final touches to your snare drum, including snare wires

- Polish and clean the drum for a professional finish

- Participate in a final jam session to showcase your completed snare drum

- Depart with your newly built snare drum, ready to make music

Please note that the schedule may be adjusted based on the participant's progress and the instructors' discretion.

  • Join us for a transformative two-day drum-building experience where you'll learn to craft your custom drum from a raw shell.

Upcoming Camps

  • April 10 - 14 (SOLD OUT)experience

  • April 17- 22 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • May 12 - 15 experience

  • May 17 - 19 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • June 2 - 4 experience

  • June 14 - 17 experience

  • June 21 - 24 (SOLD OUT) experience

  • July 5 - 7 (SOLD OUT) experience

*We reserve the right to deny anyone a spot in our drum camps.


We frequently experience cancellations, which opens up opportunities for those on our wait lists to join our camps. Therefore, we encourage you to add your name to the wait list, even if your preferred camp is currently full. It's worth noting that cancellations do occur. In such instances, we will reach out to the first person on the wait list and proceed accordingly until the spot is filled

We reserve the right to deny anyone a spot in our drum camps.

contact michael@outlawdrums.com for info