Blake Paulson is an American drummer living in Los Angeles, CA. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota into a music family, his parents played a significant role in shaping his career and musical philosophy. Father, John Paulson, taught public school music, was founder and CEO of Springboard (leading education software), was founder and CEO of MakeMusic (Finale, SmartMusic), and is a composer & conductor. Mother, Coreen Nordling, is Principal Bassoon of the Minnesota Opera, private teacher, and often performs with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Blake’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. In 2000 he was awarded the school’s Professional Music Achievement Award. Blake’s training comes from some of the finest drummers in America: Scott Crosbie, Paul Stueber, Gordy Knudtson, Dave DiCenso, Casey Scheuerell, and Chris Coleman.
Blake has performed across the United States with a wide variety of artists and bands at venues of all types including cafes, clubs, casinos, fairs, festivals, stadiums, USO bases, and television. From the age of 10-18 Blake performed with Concert bands, Dixieland & Jazz bands, Marching bands, and the MN All-State Orchestra. He was also active performing with local original rock bands, often juggling several at a time.
Blake’s first full-time professional gig came in 1998 with the Midwest’s premier Vegas style show band, Lip Service; a gifted and successful group that inspired Blake to improve quickly. At age 20, Blake had to be escorted on and off stage at the 21+ clubs and casinos.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2001, Blake has had the honor of performing and/or recording with many wonderful artists: Hayley Orrantia (TV & Film Star) *Music Director; Miley Cyrus (Hollywood Records); the Jonas Brothers (Hollywood Records); Demi Lovato (Hollywood Records); Hoku (Interscope Records); Coffey Anderson (Nashville Star, YouTube Sensation); Alana Grace (Columbia Records); Alex Schneider (Girl Radical); Asia Schneider (Pop Singer/Actress); Brian Simpson (Americana Singer/Songwriter); Elinor Arwyn (Blues/Rock); Carrie Turner (Yellow Marbles); Christia Mantzke (EMI Records) *Music Director; David Baron (Singer/Songwriter for the Bryan Brothers Band); Fabienne Holloway (UK Soul/R&B Sensation); MadLove (Madison Love); Mandi Perkins (Sony Records); Michael Rosenfield (Winner VH1 Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp); Michael St. Germain (Virgin Records); Nikki Katt (YouTube Sensation); Rob Schneider (TV/Film Star & Singer); Roger Love (Vocal Coach to the Stars); Selena Garcia (NYC Blues/Pop Singer/Songwriter); Stephanie Quayle (Country Singer/Songwriter); The Last Unicorn (Sparkledust Records); Varga Viktor (Magneoton Records); The Dales (Americana); Diana Salvatore (Adult Contemporary); Elle Mac (Pop Contemporary); and many other talented indie bands and artists.
In 1996, Blake began expanding his musical abilities beyond drumming to include singing, songwriting, music directing, mixing, and producing. He built a specialized, state-of-the-art drumset recording and teaching studio called Unleashed Drum Studio that he has operated professionally since 2002. Blake continues to enjoy collaborating with artists as a co-writer, co-producer, musical director, and mix engineer.From 2007-2015, Blake co-founded and co-managed a team of LA session musicians, the Backliners. The demand for the Backliners musicians far exceeded expectations, thus the Backliners grew into a team of 12 session musicians that helped many singers, songwriters, record labels, and producers create great music.
Building on the Backliners successes, in 2016 Blake co-founded and co-manages an expanded collective of 50+ elite session musicians and songwriters, the LA Session Group. Their mission is to help music creators find and connect with the most talented, pre-screened, session musicians & hit songwriters working in Los Angeles.
In February 2008 Blake signed to modern rock band Porcelain (Universal/Motown Records). The band was represented by A&R Jolene Cherry at UMG and managed by (Papa) Joe Simpson. Blake was active with the group through several tours, recording sessions, and TV appearances until April 2009 when UMG decided to relocate the band to Australia.
Blake has had the pleasure of working with some brilliant producers & songwriters: Aris Archontis (Disney & Hollywood Records, Disney TV/Motion Pictures); Chen Neeman (Disney & Hollywood Records, Disney TV/Motion Pictures); Courtenay Green (See Green, The Real World/MTV, Mrs. Eastwood & Company/E!); Drew Lawrence (Christina Perri, Kelly Clarkson, Katherine McPhee, Backstreet Boys); Jeannie Lurie (Disney & Hollywood Records, Disney TV/Motion Pictures); Josh “Igloo” Monroy (Sony/ATV: David Archuleta, OutKast, Justin Bieber); Lys Sparrow (Film Composer: The Forbidden Kingdom, Noise, the Guitar); Max Coane (Brendan James, Cromwell, Stephen Bishop, The Rocket Summer); Miklos Malek (X-Faktor Judge, Jennifer Lopez, Anastasia, Faith Evans); Mitch Allen (Chris Daughtry, Faith Hill, The Jonas Brothers, Tokio Hotel); Rob Kleiner (BMG: Andra Day, Sia, Kylie Minogue, Haley Reinhart); Samantha Mollen (The CW Network, Lifetime Television); Thai Long Ly (Brett Michaels, Chris Coleman, Gorden Campbell, Marcus Miller, Hadrien Feraud); Todd Bergman (Interscope Records); Andy Furze (Fremantle Media); Jerry Streeter (Brandi Carlisle, The Lumineers); and many others.
Blake has performed on, been featured, and even co-hosted a number of TV shows: Master Chef (Fox); Made In America with Nina Davuluri (Bollywood/US); Chasing Life (ABC); Lexus Music Uncovered (CBS); Get Your Face On with Napoleon Perdis (TLC); The NoHo Fundraiser (TMZ); Local TV News (Various US Cities); Music Videos (Dozens, in Various Styles).
Blake has shared the stage/studio with many talented musicians: Andrew James (Miley Cyrus, Karmin, BC Jean, Fame: the movie); Asaf Rodeh (Charlie Puth, David Archuleta, Ariana Grande, Midge Ure); Asha Mevlana (Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas, Gnarls Barkley); Aubrey Richmond (Austin Law, Barnaby Saints, Jason Charles Miller, Phat Strad); Brian Simpson (Deana Carter, Mitchel Musso, Austin Hanks); Chris Vazquez (Leona Lewis, Daniel Powter, JoJo, Anthony Evans, Vassy); Chris Wrate (Ariana Grande, Charice, Cher Lloyd); Clark Souter (Kimberly Locke, Maia Sharp, Kristine W); Dani Ivory (Gallant, Beyonce, Bridgit Mendler, Imagine Dragons, Cee Lo Green); Drew Taubenfeld (Megan Trainor, Billy Ray Cyrus, Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato); Eliot Lorango (Matt Toka, JMSN, Sea Wolf, Kelly Osbourne); Jayme Silverstein (Miguel, Cher Lloyd); Jim Roach (Hoku, Jesse Thomas, The Young Romans, Javier Dunn); Johann Frank (Engelbert Humperdinck, Ray Parker Jr., Mitchel Musso); John Notto (Nico &Vinz, David Archuleta, Talib Kweli, Lettuce, Haley Reinhart); Jon Sosin (Rachel Platten, Melissa Etheridge, 98 Degrees); Jon Ketchum (Cher Lloyd, Taio Cruz, Mitchell Musso, Alana Grace); Kenji Chan (Bruno Mars); Mark Kelley (John Scofield, The Roots); Mike Torres (Selena Gomez, Macy Gray, Daniel Powter, Ashley Tisdale); Near Russell (Bridget Mender, Haley Reinhart, BC Jean); Phillip Meneses (Kendrick Lamar, Cher Lloyd, Chali 2na); Steve Aguilar (World Tribe, Chris Pierce, John Mayer, Jane’s Addiction); Storm Rhodes (Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Ted Russell Kamp, Sarah Gayle Meech); Bob “Boo” Bernstein (Mark Chesnutt, Tanya Tucker); Jon Cornell (Jackie Greene); Patrick Taylor (Borns, American Idol); and many others.
An active teacher and advocate for high quality music education, Blake has been teaching fun and effective drum lessons since 2000. He currently teaches private lessons and masterclasses to students of all abilities in Los Angeles including celebrities, professionals, and beginners alike.
In 2010, inspired to create modern, easy-to-use, and effective drum instruction techniques, Blake began writing his Drumset Method Books. This passionate pursuit resulted in four published methods, found in music stores around the world: Drumset Coordination; Drumset Overlay; Linear Drum Fills; and Drumset Supersets.
In 2015, Blake began creating original instrumental compositions for modern musicians (Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys) to use as fun and creative Play-Along Songs.