Will Schulmeister, four time award winning drummer, and five time award winning band member, started his music career playing cello in a family trio in 1959 at the age of six. Will recalls how amazed he was to look up and see people clapping for the trio and realized the importance of the audience. In 1965 Will turned to his real love, and by 1967 was performing on the drums in coffee houses and school dances with his band "The Yellow Grove".
The 1970's brought a more intricate style of rock music with "Bethlehem Steele" later known as "Steele". Will describes going to band practice every day after work, often working on only one song for weeks. This era brought Will a passion for original music.
In 1973, Will’s teaching career began at Matt's Music, soon to include Music Mart, AAA Music, Carlone Music and private home instruction. Will reflects on the creativity of his students and admits it was a great experience learning from each other. After thirteen years, Will’s busy schedule prompted him to retire from teaching.
The1980’s brought the birth of "Xerstick", a weighted drumstick for conditioning that worked much like the weighted baseball bat baseball players swung before going to the plate.
Rejected by a local drumstick manufacturer to buy his idea, Will took his invention, and selling a regular line of sticks to support it, created "Xerstick Drumstick Company". Much to the chagrin of the local manufacturer, they became the bestselling drumstick line in Western New York. This prompted Will to speak and perform at drum clinics and shows including Niagara Community College Music of Arts Program. This work led him to other drummers in an artist relations capacity, helping them to develop promotional packets and endorse his products.
Will maintained his drumming abilities in the 1980’s working with “Temptor”, “The Front” with Debbie, and after “Xerstick” was bought out in 1990, his first country band, “Petty Cash”. Will recalls the wealth of creativity in country for a drummer.
The 1990’s brought a new direction to Will’s talents and creativity with the blues rock original band “Wanted by the FBI”. During his seven year tenure the band recorded many singles and albums resulting in three songs still played today on fifty-five thousand AMI juke boxes in the USA. The band opened for many national artist including "Molly Hatchet", won two "Listener's Choice" awards as "Best Rockin' Blues Band" and "Best Entertaining Band" in 2002, and Will was also nominated for “Best Blues Drummer” in 2003. The band, squandering three chances to go national, along with bad management, prompted Will to leave the band.
The 1990’s brought a new direction to Will’s talents and creativity with the blues rock original band “Wanted by the FBI”. During his seven year tenure the band recorded many singles and albums resulting in three songs still played today on fifty-five thousand AMI juke boxes in the USA. The band opened for many national artist including "Molly Hatchet", won two "Listener's Choice" awards as "Best Rockin' Blues Band" and "Best Entertaining Band" in 2002, and Will was also nominated for “Best Blues Drummer” in 2003. The band, squandering three chances to go national, along with bad management, prompted Will to leave the band.
Returning to country with his wife Debbie, in a band called "Justified" in the Rochester area, Will was thrilled to return to recording original music. The band only lasted two years so Will and Debbie started their own band “Under Arrest” in 2007. While looking for players, Will was asked to join "Blood Money", a very successful country band. During his five years with the band, he won two “Best Country Drummer” Awards in 2013 and 2014. They opened for many national bands like "Montgomery Gentry", "Jared Neman", "Josh Thompson", and "Devon Allman". "Under Arrest” was not forgotten, but building and working. With Debbie as the powerful lead singer, keyboardist and front person, they quickly became a top area band winning “Best New Group” in 2016 and “Best Rock Band” in 2019. At the same time, Will was awarded “Best Rock Drummer” 2018 and 2019. Continuing today in multiple venues in Buffalo, Rochester, and Erie PA, Will is still active with "Under Arrest" and "Under Arrest Duo" with Debbie.
Both Will and Debbie are active with “Western NY Drummers For Homeless People Inc.”, the Charity they created. The Charity is open to all musicians and others to give back to their communities.
Will fills in with some country artistS when they come to town and actively records with other musicians in the area. Stay Tuned more to come.